Break out the chic shades this summer

Sunglasses are, without a doubt, my favorite accessory. They are fun, glamorous and make you… Sunglasses are, without a doubt, my favorite accessory. They are fun, glamorous and make you look instantly mysterious and important but also are very practical. One could almost call them a necessity. Maybe this is why Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, both known for their iconic sunglasses, are two of my favorite stylish women.

The first pair of sunglasses I remember wearing were ultra cool for a 5-year-old. They were black with neon-orange trim, and the tinted lenses flipped up so you didn’t have to take them off when you went inside. Since then, I’ve graduated to a more sophisticated style but not without leaving a long trail of lost or broken sunglasses behind me. The summer before my senior year is when I really developed my obsession with sunglasses (possibly influenced by L. C. on “Laguna Beach”). Suddenly, I was buying them left and right in every style, including an embarrassing pair of white oval frames that my friends said made me look like Johnny Depp’s Willy Wonka character. I lost or broke most of them. But finally, after noticing my obsession, my high school boyfriend bought me some big, black Dolce ‘ Gabbana frames that I now treat like they’re my only child. Well, not really – my dog accidentally nibbled on them while I wasn’t looking once, and I was only marginally upset. But, I am proud to say I haven’t lost them, and it has been more than a year.

I basically wear my shades all year long, but this past week I spoke with Brad Childs, vice president of Eyetique in Shadyside, who enlightened me on the latest eyewear trends for spring and summer.

“The bigger the better,” he said. Traditional aviators and big plastics are still popular, but what sets this spring’s crop apart is the ornate detailing. Childs said there’s “some bling” this year along with hand-laid leather and laminates with a funky color on the inside of the frame and a more traditional one on the outside. And encouraging my propensity to buy, Childs added, “You really need to have three pairs of sunglasses. It’s a lifestyle thing.”

Eyetique’s prices range from about $150 to $4,000. When I asked what kind of sunglasses you could get for $4,000, Childs replied, “Cartier’s solid gold frames with a diamond on each side.” Wow.

Keeping with the ridiculously embellished theme, Tiffany ‘ Co. just introduced an eyewear line this season that retails from $380 for a basic pair with a silver colored Tiffany logo to $1,150 for a diamond-encrusted wraparound pair. Most pairs feature crystals and sterling silver accents set into large frames or rimless shades.

With all the ornate detailing, it’s easy to get sidetracked into thinking that sunglasses are all style and no substance, but a representative from Csonka Optometric in the North Hills reminded me, “UV rays are just as damaging to your retina as they are to your skin.” Not to mention, sunglasses can really save you from the excessive squinting that leads to wrinkles. She also informed me that white frames look like they are going to be big this year.

The white-frames trend has been popular with many celebrities, who are often a large influence in sunglasses choices. Kirsten Dunst, Mary Kate Olsen and Drew Barrymore all helped to resurrect the Ray-Ban Wayfarers style made popular in the ’80s by the movie “Risky Business.” Frogskins, a similar style from Oakley that defined surfer chic during the same time period that the Wayfarer was popular, was also re-released this year for a limited time in fun, funky colors, but it’s already sold out on Oakley’s website.

However, if you’re still interested, FredFlare.com features a similar style for only $10 in 12 different colors. For the same price, they also make it easy to look like your favorite celebrity with frames named Victoria, Nicole, Mischa, Jackie O and – I’m not sure anyone wants to look like this last one – Britney. Old Navy also carries a large selection for $10 – and at that price you’ll want to stock up.

There’s not a whole lot to choose from in terms of mid-priced offerings, but Nine West carries a variety of styles in the $30 range. And for a bit more money, you can find Armani Exchange on macys.com for around $60-$70.

But I have my sights set on Marc by Marc Jacobs. With aviators, white frames, oversized rectangular shapes, metal trim and pretty gem detailing, most for under $100, you can’t go wrong in a style from Mr. Jacobs.

In the end, it doesn’t matter what style you choose to wear this summer, but make sure you’re wearing something to shield your pretty peepers. Because taking care of your eyes is something that never goes out of style.