World Wine Boutique » Fashion & Style

When it comes to sunglasses, is retro the way to go?  You are probably seeing a lot of different designs of shades these days, are they new?  Truthfully, there are really no new designs, just redesigns of a formerly popular style.  In the fashion world, retro designs are everywhere–and sunglasses are no exception.

One design that has poked its head back into the fashion world is well known all over.  Onassis Glasses, or the Jackie-O design sunglasses were popularized by the former First Lady Kennedy.  After becoming Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, she flaunted this oversized style of sunglasses all over the globe.  The style was so closely associated with her, that it has shared her name since the late seventies.

After fading from the public eye, the Onassis Glasses lay dormant for about thirty years.  However, poised for a comeback, these sunglasses have begun making waves on red carpets and runways all over.  The women credited for bringing back the infamous sunglasses are Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton.  Since then, Jackie-O’s have been seen on the faces of famous women and trendy-but-average Janes everywhere.

Another retro design of sunglasses that has made big waves recently is the cleverly named Aviators.  Originally designed in the 1930′s for military pilots, Aviators were hot on fashionable faces in the 1960′s and 1980′s.  True to their every-twenty-year trend, Aviators are back with avengance and have been favorites for men, and women, with style.  It is particularly true that this style of sunglasses has caught on with the younger “MTV Crowd” more than with adults.  Johnny Knoxville has adapted Aviators as his signature style.

Some styles of sunglasses have briefly shown themselves in fashion, only to never be heard from again.  This is not necessarily a bad thing.  There are those sunglasses the human race still feels a little silly about.  However, let’s not speak too soon.  These sunglasses could be waiting in the wings for their triumphant return.

OVER-Oversized sunglasses are one fashion faux-pa most of us would rather not make.  The design is a retro tribute to the late Lady O when they are slightly oversized and conservative.  However, when the sunglasses appear to be attempting to take over your face, you may have crossed the line into ridiculous.  Save the supersized look for clowns and put this design back in the vault.

Another design that some hope will never return carries a soft spot in the hearts of many women.  The Wayfarer sunglasses were first made popular by Hollywood’s bad boy, James Dean.  After his death, these sunglasses were worn for a time, before slowly falling by the wayside to make room for the newer styles.

However, the Wayfarer was gone but not forgotten.  The sunglasses made a double comeback on the faces of James Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, better known in the eighties as the Blues Brothers.  The sunglasses with a clean black, square design were a perfect complement to their all black suits, hats and ties.

Wayfarers made one more comeback in 1983 when a sock and underwear clad young man slid into the living room and into our hearts.  Before Tom Cruise was the controversial figure he is today, he was a hot high school graduate just trying to get into a good college.  The Wayfarers sunglasses haven’t been much on the fashion scene since then, but we’ve never forgotten.

It’s hard to tell what may come next in the world of fashion sunglasses.  If you really want to keep up with it, just check the fashion magazines in early spring and see what new old styles are unfolding.  You may have seen them all before, but these retro sunglasses are bound to have a new and exciting twist.
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There are many reasons to wear sunglasses, and everyone has one of their own.  Whether it is to mask a hangover, create mystery or escape the paparazzi, sunglasses are a part of everyday life.  However, often the true benefits of this popular accessory are lost when fashion or other purposes take over.  It may not be your only reason, but your best reason for sunglasses should be to protect your eyes.

Science has come a long way in correcting vision gone bad.  Corneal transplants help a blind person see again.  Laser treatment can restore your eyesight to 20/20 or better in mere minutes.  Even with all this technology, wouldn’t it be easier to take care of your eyes from the start?  By simply wearing good sunglasses, you will reduce your need for these scientific breakthroughs later in life.

The sun creates ultraviolet light rays which contribute to the heat it produces.  These rays, called UVA and UVB can cause irreparable damage to your retina and corneas.  If you’ve ever watched an eclipse, you know you had to do so through a pinhole in a shoebox.  This is because staring directly to the sun can cause great damage to your eyes.  Unfortunately, many people are unknowingly allowing their eyes to suffer the same fate by simply choosing not to wear sunglasses.

Such disorders as cataracts, macular degeneration, and even skin cancer around the eyes can be signs of sun damage and can be prevented in part by the use of sunglasses.  Cataracts are an eye condition that involves clouding of the lens behind the Iris and Pupil.  Although no one truly knows what causes cataracts, studies have shown links between this condition and increased exposure to ultraviolet light.  Though we do not know 100% that this is the cause, it has been determined that people who habitually wear sunglasses have seen a decreased incidence of this eye disorder.

Macular degeneration causes those who suffer from it to have difficulty seeing in detail.  Often even faces are hard for these people to distinguish.  This disease, like cataracts, is most prevalent in elderly patients.  However, also like cataracts, prolonged exposure to sunlight without the protection of sunglasses has been included as a probable cause.  Individuals who practice care in selecting sunglasses with 99%-100% UV protection stand a greater chance at avoiding this fate.

Think about the last time that you spent all day in the sun and were really badly sunburned.  You probably took cold baths and slathered yourself in Aloe Vera.  It is a painful condition to be in when this happens to your skin.  Now, imagine what that same sunlight that gave you second degree burns on your skin is doing to your eyes when you choose not to protect them with proper sunglasses.  That alone should be motivation to hit the sunglass kiosk at the mall.

You don’t often think of sunglasses as something that will protect your skin.  In reality, a good pair of sunglasses can save your face in more ways than one.  Increased exposure to sunlight can cause skin cancer and will attach the most sensitive areas first.  How much more sensitive can you get then the skin around your eyes.  Sunglasses can reduce the risk of skin cancer in the eyelids and areas around your eyes.

Another benefit your skin will enjoy from a good pair of sunglasses is a decreased appearance of lines around the eyes.  Simply logic tells us that distorting the face in certain ways on a regular basis can cause premature wrinkles and increase the signs of aging.  When you do not wear sunglasses, you tend to squint, as your eyes are uncomfortable being opened under bright light.  Sunglasses can actually help reduce the appearance of crow’s feet by allowing your facial muscles to remain relaxed.

Your eyes are one of your most valued features.  Can you imagine waking up tomorrow and not being able to see?  Many people are born blind and would give anything for the eyes you take for granted every day.  A good pair of sunglasses will protect you against a world of eye disorders and pain.  If you don’t protect this valuable possession, before you know it, it could be gone.

If there were one thing that you could change about your body, what would it be?  There are actually a large number of individuals out there who would like to change more than just one thing.

There are many who say that they are too skinny, others who claim that they are too large, some claim that their cleavage is too big or too small, and others who would change the size of their butts. Unfortunately, not everyone has the money needed to get cosmetic surgery and not everyone has the time needed to devote to an exercise plan.  That is what results in many feeling hopeless, like things are never going to change.  However, there is good news, while you may not necessarily be able to change the way that your body is, you may be able to “change,” the way that it looks. You can do this with fashion.

Unfortunately, when it comes to fashion and fashion trends, there are many individuals who only believe that fashion trends are only for those who are “perfect,” like models.  The truth is that nobody is perfect and that is why fashion trends are more than just for those who are models.  What you may not necessarily realize is that fashion comes in all different sizes, shapes, and styles.  There are fashion trends that exist for individuals of all different sizes and shapes.  A few of those fashions are briefly touched on below.

If you are small in size, height wise, you may be considered petite.  When it comes to petite clothing, there is a whole line of clothing that is designed for those with petite body frames.  The clothes are often designed so that pants to do not drag on the floor and so forth.  Petite clothing comes in all different formats from swimwear to work wear.

If you are athletic or active, you may have an athletic body frame or appearance.  This is often one that is muscular in nature or toned and fit.  Unfortunately, not all women’s clothing is designed for individuals like you. That is why there are clothing lines that are designed especially for active women and women built like you.  In addition to traditional exercise clothing and casual clothing, it is more than possible to find elegant eveningwear that is designed to complement your fit and athletic body frame.

If you are considered a plus sized individual, you will also find a line of clothing designed just for you. What is nice about plus sized fashions is that they have changed for the better over the years.  It once seemed as if plus sized clothing was designed more for comfort than appearance. While many plus size clothing pieces still have comfort in mind, you may be surprised with the beautiful clothing pieces and accessories that are now available for plus sized women, as well as men.

The above mentioned fashions for petite, athletic, and plus sized women are just a few of the many that exist.  No matter what your size or your body build, you should be able to find beautiful and attractive clothing to fit you and your needs.  If you are looking for more than just beautiful and attractive clothing, but clothing that is considered trendy at the moment, you may want to think about shopping at one of your local shopping malls.  Window shopping is one of the best ways to review the latest trends in fashions, for all different body types. Another approach that you may want to take is buying fashion magazines or using the internet to help you research new, popular fashion trends for those with your body frame or body size.

In short, no matter how big or small you are, you should still be able to dress, look, and feel like a model.  Fashion isn’t just for skinny models anymore; it is for men and women of all different sizes and shapes.