TINY SUNGLASSES that sit below the nose bridge and barely cover the eyes, according to fashion arbiters, are about to bid their farewell. Unsurprising: fads come and go. Choosing a classic style, after all, is still the best investment in fashion. But what if I tell you that an icon can still level up its A-game?
Ray-Ban, the eyewear brand associated with classic aviators and Wayfarers, tweaks some of its hall of famers in its #IconsReinvented collection. The new pieces are now available in selected stores. There are, however, no major overhauls in the newest collection, just tiny upgrades here and there.
The beloved aviators, for instance, now have lines called “active lifestyle” and “evolve.” The former, especially made for the people who are always on the move, have rubber-injected flat temples for a touch of sport luxe. Meanwhile, the latter upgrades the classic tear-shaped lenses with lenses that provide visibility in any light exposure.
The round and hexagon-shaped lenses have also been tweaked and now come with better visibility powers and in flat lenses.
Then there is the Clubmaster, another icon. The new line, called “Clubmaster Metal,” uses the classic lenses but upgrades them with matte or shiny all-metal frames that come in black, white, and Havana finishes. The “Clubmaster Polarized,” on the other hand, has crystal polarized lenses, which give the classic a modern touch.
Flat lenses have also found their way to the classic Round and Clubmaster lines.
The Wayfarers, another iconic Ray-Ban legend, have new siblings: the “new Wayfarers,” which have smaller frames, gradient lenses, and a softer eye shape.
Wayfarers, according to Jandy Sarmiento, brand manager of Branded Lifestyle Inc., “are supposedly the easiest to fake” because they are simple. So how do you spot a fake Wayfarer? Look for the joints — a genuine Wayfarer has seven metal hinge screws in each joint. But then again, there is no need to look out for the fake ones if we invest in the genuine article.
Ray-Ban glasses are available at Eye Society, Vision Express Philippines, department stores, and optical stores nationwide. — Nickky Faustine P. De Guzman
