Need proof that the fashion world is cyclical? The fact that esteemed eyewear brand Persol reintroduced clip-ons last year is all the evidence you should need. While traditionally synonymous with bad taste, the PO 3007 V and 3002 V frames make a strikingly good case for the design’s revival, especially considering their price and convenience [...]
Serengeti Riano Polarized
Simply visionary
Sunglasses aren’t just for the summer vacation months, especially when you’re driving. And it’s not just about looking good, though you should certainly avoid ill-fitting and overly trendy sunspecs, for personal dignity reasons, naturally. For a masculine look with some of the best optics around, look no farther than the Serengeti Riano ($219). We got [...]
Oakley Fast Jacket
Six-Eyes
If you live an active lifestyle (note: intently watching the Ironman Triathlon while downing a bucket of chicken doesn’t count), you know how important optics are. Poor vision can be the difference between finishing in one piece or ending up on a gurney. Case in point, the Oakley Fast Jacket ($220), which is designed by [...]
Randolph Engineering Concordes
Eric Estrada should've been so lucky.
Built with a heavy dose of human power, Randolph Engineering has been producing honest, premium quality eyewear, frame after frame at their family owned factory in Massachusetts. We’ve spent time with Randolph’s quintessential Aviators, but this time around we walked away even more impressed having had the opportunity to do an inadvertent test of the [...]
Dom Sunglasses Holder by Barret Alley
Protection Never Looked So Good
Sunglasses are a money pit for many. You eagerly drop $100 and beyond to buy a pair for the season, knowing they’ll be destroyed soon by stepping or sitting in the wrong place — if they aren’t lost before then. The Dom sunglasses holder by Barret Alley ($150) won’t change this law of the universe, [...]
Native Eyewear
It's a Concrete Jungle Out There
Residing in a concrete jungle doesn’t preclude one from being an outdoor enthusiast. In fact, miles of asphalt and cold steel can be a veritable playground for the right activities. Forget social climbing and the rat race. Go native. If, on the other hand, you prefer to spend your time in the great outdoors, well, [...]
Activist Eyewear 10.01
Tech-Laden Shades with a Classic Disguise
There are hundreds of brands out there making Wayfarer-like pairs of shades, and at first glance the Activist Eyewear 10.01 ($450) may seem like just another imitator. Look closer though and you’ll notice details you won’t find on other specs. Before we dive into the specifics though, let’s first make it clear that Activist Eyewear [...]
Oliver Peoples Daddy B Sunglasses
Get Your Shine On While Keeping the Shine Out
These Oliver Peoples Daddy B ($325) shades may seem familiar because they have graced the face of more than a few celebrities including Jay-Z. That’s because thanks to their slightly oversized Mod shape, these classics standout with a 70s-retro flare that translates into classic cool. Note worthy details include options for CR-39 Polarized or Photochromic [...]
Persol 2958
Ari Approved
Lately, it seems everybody and their brother is wearing aviators and for good reason, they look great on your face (yes, even yours). While Ray-Bans are facing near-ubiquity, and options like the Randolph Engineering’s military-approved versions we reviewed are fantastic, something a little more unique never hurts. JRS, over at the excellent blog Red Clay [...]
Ray-Ban Clubmaster
Yes, You Can Pull Them Off
Almost everyone has owned a pair of aviators (thank you 2001), and when they realized they were unoriginal, they then bought Ray-Ban Wayfarers (circa 2006). Now you can’t turn around without seeing some variation on the theme – colored rims, lenses, brands, etc. This summer we’ve found a remedy: the Ray-Ban Clubmaster ($145). The iconic [...]
Electric Hoodlum Acetate Color Series
Color Your Perspective
Taking a step away from the more traditional colored shades out there, the Electric Hoodlum Acetate Color Series ($85) is a funky new limited edition collection that should appeal to eccentric/fashion focused folks in the audience (and not just those of you in Brooklyn). Despite their simple appearance though, don’t mistake them for the run [...]
Costa Del Mar Maya
Summer Tint
Our love of Costa Del Mar sunglasses is well documented. They make some of the best polarized sunglasses you can get, hands down. Recently we tested one of their new models, the Costa Del Mar Maya ($150+), a smaller frame pair of Costa’s. Hand made in Florida, the Maya’s feature: stainless steel hinges, Grilamid TR-90 [...]
Oakley Bruce Irons Signature Series Dispatch
Tubular Man!
Even if you can’t ride a board to save your life, thanks to Oakley, you can still channel the look of Hawaiian surfing icon Bruce Irons with the Oakley Bruce Irons Signature Series Dispatch sunglasses ($230). Personally designed by Bruce to reflect his life, these beefy custom Dispatch glasses feature punk inspired red and black [...]
Essilor Airwear
Lighter. Safer. Greener
Buying a new pair of glasses is a tedious task. You spend hours trying to find a frame, more hours finding the proper lenses prescription, then have to live with your decision for the following year(s). Most of us don’t want to deal with the process after selecting the right frame much less pay attention [...]