The Mars-Venus rules have traditionally applied to sunglass shopping. Women looked for frames to complement their face shapes and features, while men were interested in the technology of indestructible materials and high performance.
But the gap may be closing as men add a bit of fashion to their existing performance collections to suit varied aspects of their lifestyle.
At Sunglass Hut in Ala Moana Center, store manager May Thomas said, 'Men are aware that few pairs of glasses fit all purposes. They wouldn't wear Dior to go fishing or Maui Jims to a big fancy event.
'We see die-hard skateboarders in swim trunks come in for Oakleys but going home with Pradas. They're more savvy in terms of owning more than one pair of glasses, and because of social networking, there's more exposure to what their friends are wearing at different events.'
At Ilori in Ala Moana Center, boutique manager Kym Mydock said sunglasses are important to her stylish clientele because 'they're one of the few things men can use to accessorize.'
Generally, those who visit the store already own a couple of go-to pairs, so their choices tend to be situational, whether shopping for luxurious styling to wear at formal events or day weddings, something street-smart and casual for a business meeting, sporty frames for driving or leisurely pursuits, or sunglasses specific to activities ranging from ocean and winter sports to aviation.
When it comes to daily-wear sunglasses, Ray-Ban Wayfarers have remained a top seller through six decades and Mydock calls them the denim of eyewear. Wayfarers helped revolutionize the eyewear industry when they were introduced in 1956 with molded plastic frames that broke from traditional metal eyewear. After fading in popularity by the 1970s, they were made famous again in 1983 when Tom Cruise donned a pair in 'Risky Business,' and they've been a mainstay ever since.
Aviators, also popular since the 1930s, are enjoying a resurgence due to the availability of foldable styles that can be easily stowed while traveling. 'Everyone wants small cases because they're packing carry-ons to travel now,' Mydock said.
While women may mix their high-end shades with many inexpensive pairs of sunglasses for fashion purposes, whether in colors to match outfits or to stand out in a crowd, men tend to stick with quality and some don't mind paying more for materials like titanium or gold, Mydock said.
'It's like a piece of jewelry. Men who will invest in a watch and gold pieces see it as an investment that they know they'll be able to use for years. They understand the value of the materials.'
The increasing demand for fashion doesn't eliminate men's desire for protection and performance. Hawaii ranks No. 2 in the Vision Council's 2012 UV report of cities with the most risk of eye damage due to ultraviolet rays. The optical industry report contains UV projections for nearly five dozen cities across the United States and Puerto Rico, with Hawaii logging 253 days of 'extreme and very high risk' of exposure to damaging UV radiation, second only to San Juan, Puerto Rico, with 286 days. That means, 'Every day that you are outside without sunglasses, you are increasing your risk of developing conditions such as surfer's eye, cataracts and macular degeneration,' the report warns.
'In Hawaii, we need polarized lenses,' Thomas said. Polarized lenses filter out reflected glare from shiny surfaces like water, pavement and dashboards, improving contrast and visibility. To make polarized lenses easy to find, each display pair at Sunglass Hut is identified with a 'P' sticker.
To further combat eye damage, the council recommends consumers buy from reputable dealers and consider these recommendations:
-- Wraparound glasses or glasses with larger temple pieces help block the sun from side angles.
-- Mirror-coated lenses reflect light across a wide spectrum, including infrared or heat rays.
-- Gradient-tinted lenses that are darker at the top and lighter at the bottom help to cut overhead glare and provide clearer vision when the wearer is looking straight ahead or down. Brown, amber or copper lenses reduce glare and improve contrast and visibility. These are great for golfing, water and winter sports.
Credit: Nadine Kam
