Forget Panama hats and patterned swimming trunks, the only accessory
that will really set you apart this summer – if chosen well – is a solid
pair of sunglasses. Whether jetting off for a spring break, working downtown, or
relaxing on a dock in Muskoka, sunglasses are an indispensable part of any
modern man’s style regimen.
If you are like us, you can't have too many
shades. With that in mind, here
are five key sunglass styles to – there’s one to suit every type of man, from
the traditionalist to the modernist.
The Classic
Standing the test of time, the Wayfarer remains as popular today as ever – these are one pair of shades that you’ll never want to be without. Aside from the original design, numerous optical brands offer high-spec interpretations of the Wayfarer shape.
The Vintage
With the current focus on heritage within menswear, it should come as no surprise that eyewear is also feeling the retro-design influence of yesteryear. Round frame styles harken back to the early days of sun opticals, when the most logical (and easiest) shape to fashion for sunglasses was circular. Round frames were the de rigueur shape in the twenties and thirties – it was during these decades that sunglasses became more widespread, with advancements in technology and production methods making eyewear more accessible and desirable.
With the current focus on heritage within menswear, it should come as no surprise that eyewear is also feeling the retro-design influence of yesteryear. Round frame styles harken back to the early days of sun opticals, when the most logical (and easiest) shape to fashion for sunglasses was circular. Round frames were the de rigueur shape in the twenties and thirties – it was during these decades that sunglasses became more widespread, with advancements in technology and production methods making eyewear more accessible and desirable.
While early designs were made from flimsy plate glass, Bakelite and alloy metals, today’s sturdy styles are crafted from high-grade materials, combining the best of fashion and function. Guaranteed to lend a hint of quirky vintage cool to any look, round frames are best suited to gents with strong jaw lines, as circular lenses tend to have a softening effect. A couple of suggestions are Mercury’s "Amalfi Coast," "Sage," and “Rickey.”
The Retro
First developed in the 1930s to protect pilots’ eyes from glaring sunlight while flying at altitude, aviator sunglasses are as iconic as the classic Wayfarer. Another design credited to Ray-Ban, the style’s thin metal frames and large tear drop-shaped lenses were designed to cover the entire eye socket area, preventing as much light as possible from entering the eye.
First developed in the 1930s to protect pilots’ eyes from glaring sunlight while flying at altitude, aviator sunglasses are as iconic as the classic Wayfarer. Another design credited to Ray-Ban, the style’s thin metal frames and large tear drop-shaped lenses were designed to cover the entire eye socket area, preventing as much light as possible from entering the eye.
Aviators first rose to prominence in 1942, when General Douglas MacArthur was photographed landing on a beach in the Philippines during a military expedition against the Japanese. The style became an overnight success in the 1960s, when Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr of the Beatles were seen sporting them, with popularity burgeoning further in the 1980s thanks to Queen’s Freddie Mercury and “Top Gun.”
An undeniably masculine, retro style, the aviator has been reincarnated and reworked in many guises, with chunky celluloid acetate and mirrored styles on offer today. Extremely versatile, the aviator suits most face-shapes and has the masterful ability to go with almost anything. From casual summer wear to spring suiting, it’s pretty difficult to put a foot wrong in a pair of aviators. Mercury has a number of options including our popular “Rio,” “Phil,” "Doyle Cop," and "Cancun" models.
The Contemporary
Eyewear designers are now employing the use of digital platforms to create contemporary, precision designs using ingenious new materials such as thermo-set polyamide, which is lighter than traditional acetate and titanium yet exceptionally strong and flexible.
The ‘D’ frame shape is one of the key silhouettes of modern sunglass design, and is being produced in a wide range of variations and materials. Identified by their square/rectangular, occasionally oversized shape, D-frames have an undeniably futuristic feel and stand out from traditional eyewear styles.
Chunky statement D-frames are carried off well by gents with rounder faces, as the shape’s angular lines provide balance. Mercury offers a number of options including the stylish “Tokyo,” and "Secret Agent" models.
The Sporting Enthusiast
Wrap-around frames with their curved, sweeping shape, are favoured by sportsman due to the superb eye coverage they provide during active pursuits. Making their debut in the 1960s, wrap-arounds are distinguished by their semi-circular lenses that sit close to the face, with the purpose of preventing fine particles and dirt from entering the eye, while also providing an unbroken field of vision.
Wrap-around frames with their curved, sweeping shape, are favoured by sportsman due to the superb eye coverage they provide during active pursuits. Making their debut in the 1960s, wrap-arounds are distinguished by their semi-circular lenses that sit close to the face, with the purpose of preventing fine particles and dirt from entering the eye, while also providing an unbroken field of vision.
These protective goggle-like qualities make them the default eyewear for sports such as skiing, where protection from flying snow/ice and clear vision are essential. Crafted from lightweight, high-performance polyamides and metal alloys, and often fitted with glare-deflecting mirrored lenses, wrap-arounds serve both a practical and aesthetic role in the skier’s repertoire. The brand that firmly planted the wrap-around silhouette on the eyewear map was California brand Oakley but many notable brands now offer wrap arounds.
The Big Picture
Any pair of classic, quality sunglasses are a worthwhile investment. We can confidently recommend that an affordable pair of sunglasses is just as good as a super-premium luxury pair? Why? It turns out that nearly all the luxury and mid-level off-brand sunglasses in the world are produced by a single company. The Wall Street Journal highlights, in their guide to the world of sunglasses manufacturing and buying, who is behind all these shades.
Any pair of classic, quality sunglasses are a worthwhile investment. We can confidently recommend that an affordable pair of sunglasses is just as good as a super-premium luxury pair? Why? It turns out that nearly all the luxury and mid-level off-brand sunglasses in the world are produced by a single company. The Wall Street Journal highlights, in their guide to the world of sunglasses manufacturing and buying, who is behind all these shades.
So, what this means is that, whether you prefer the "quality" of Ray-Ban to Oakley? Or whether you think Bulgari is better than Dolce & Gabbana, or Salvatore Ferragamo is better than Prada - they're all made by one company. The Italian manufacturer Luxottica. Luxottica also makes sunglasses branded Burberry, Chanel, Polo Ralph Lauren, Paul Smith, Stella McCartney, Tiffany, Versace, Vogue, Persol, Miu Miu, Tory Burch and Donna Karan.
Where does that leave you, the consumer, in a sea of variably priced sunglasses? If a significant chunk of what you pay for isn't the quality of the lenses, it's the brand. We don't know about you, but we're totally comfortable paying 500-1000% less than designer prices while still getting 100% of the eye protection. That’s where Mercury comes in.
For over 30 years MERCURY has made quality, affordable, fashion and performance sunglasses in the latest trends and styles - all with 100% UV protection. All Mercury Sunglasses frames also have an unconditional lifetime guarantee. It's simple. You break them, we'll replace them. Period. Find your Mercury today.
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Mercury customers are creative, bold, stylish, and fiercely independent - with a dash of moxie. Find your Mercury today on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for our latest information, events and promotions. Have questions? We're here to help.
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