Cool shades for summer

Latest sunglasses run from big frames and retro styles to bifocals and eco-friendly ones.

With the summer sun blazing, a new pair of sunglasses would come in handy right now. But here's a tidbit from Sunglass Association of America vice president Melanie Martin: That old pair will continue to work just fine.

Sunglasses don't lose their potency over time, so a pair that guarantees 100 percent UV protection will continue to guard against the sun's harmful rays.

Of course, practicality and fashion passion are different. Sunglasses are increasingly considered the ultimate fashion accessory.

"There's a little bit of mystery behind someone who's wearing a pair of dark glasses," said Marianne Kotzbauer, director of frames management at Sunglass Hut. "You come out of your shell a little bit when you have a pair of fun sunglasses on. It's all about attitude. You put on a pair of aviators, and it's your mood for the day. When you want to glam it up, you put on a big oversize plastic (pair). It depends on the look and lifestyle you're trying to create."

If you want to look cool this summer, try these trends on for size:

Think big
When it comes to sunglasses, everything really is bigger in Texas. Oversize frames are in, although they may look flatter and wrap around your face less than in previous seasons.

"It's the first thing people notice, so the larger, the better," said Tina Ozcelik, buyer at Eye Elegance. "If you see a woman in a convertible going down the freeway, she's not going to be wearing little glasses. She's wearing big plastic. It's more of a glamour look."

Besides making a fashion statement, oversize frames cover a larger portion of the face — a big plus for aging baby boomers. With big sunglasses, Martin said, "I feel like the skin around my eyes is more protected and I'm getting fewer wrinkles. It's a bit of an anti-aging device, and we all like that."

Go retro
Ray-Ban Wayfarers, which first appeared in 1952 but soared in popularity after Tom Cruise wore them 25 years ago in the film Risky Business, are back again. "But they're not your father's sunglasses," Kotzbauer said.

While the classic shape remains, the new Wayfarers come in a variety of candy-colored shades as well as stark white or gray and two-tone styles (black with red at the top, for example, or a purple lens with burgundy arms).

"It's a great unisex look," Kotzbauer said.

Nearly every eyewear designer is offering versions of another '80s relic — aviator specs. The gold rim look from another Cruise movie, Top Gun, remains a classic. Updated styles for men and women feature a double bridge across the top, sterling silver detailing or mirror metallics. Prada showcases a pair of aviators with red metal sides, while the Cartier Santos Dumont aviator is made of platinum and wood.

Gradient lenses, which are darker at the top and lighter at the bottom, also enhance the new look of aviators and Wayfarers. "The gradient lens softens the overall appearance, and it's very sexy," Kotzbauer said.

Note, however: The gradient lens is primarily a fashion look. While many people believe a darker lens protects their eyes, Martin says the tint has no effect on UV protection.

Stealth wealth
Texans love flashing designer names on the arms of their sunglasses. "They want everybody to know they're wearing Prada, or Dolce & Gabbana, or Versace," Kotzbauer said.

Even so, many of the new styles are toned down from previous seasons. Embellishment is more understated, and logos are often incorporated in creative ways. A pair of Versace sunglasses highlights that label's trademark Medusa figure rather than the brand name, while the Chanel logo is studded in small crystals.

"Embellishment is still there, but it's not as much over-the-top bling, bling," Martin said. "It's a little more tastefully done."

Eco-trends
Concern for the environment is showing up in earth-tone shades like olive greens and subtle browns as well as lush, eye-popping "rainforest" colors of deep green and plum. Faux wood, bamboo, tortoise shell plastic and animal prints also reflect the natural look. But Martin said it's a little soon to find sunglasses made of recycled plastic and other eco-friendly materials. Expect such products in the next few years.

Add a reader
Maui Jim recently introduced sunglasses with built-in bifocals. The line, called Maui Readers, allows its wearers (are you reading, baby boomers?) to read or text at the beach or pool without having to carry another pair of reading glasses. What a relief!