Bespokely Bespectacled

Bespoke clothing has long since constituted the epitome of luxury and dandyism. Nowadays, though not as prevalent as in the golden days of the dandy, one can have a myriad of garments made precisely to their measure, bringing with them unparalleled comfort and style. 

Michael Bastian SS'10 featuring a Randolph Engineering design

When it comes to accessories, one can definitely acquire bespoke ties, scarves and gloves but very few companies provide made-to-order services for sunglasses.

Randolph Engineering, featured in Michael Bastian's Spring/Summer 2010 Runway show, is one of the leading companies that specializes in bespoke glasses of all kinds, be it sunglasses, seeing glasses frames, hunting glasses or military goggles.

The customization for most models they offer is  four-fold: Size (refers to the distance between your temples), Colour, Temples (Length of the temples, or the horizontal metal bars that go behind your ears) and Lenses (options for polarized lens usually come for an extra fee)

Their prices in my opinion are unbeatable, all their sunglasses block most of the UV light for your eyes' protection and the varied styles they offer are more than satisfying. I already own a pair of their aviators and would definitely recommend you get one too!

Some of the choices offered in the case of sunglasses

Clip-on Flip-up

These new glasses from Oliver Peoples, part of their Spring/Summer 2010 collection, function both as sunglasses and as prescription glasses by means of flipping the sunglass lens up or down depending on your needs.

While I am not entirely convinced of their intrinsic practicality, I do think the concept is a little cheeky and quite novel.

What I liked most about Oliver Peoples was their Spring/Summer 2010 campaign video, featuring Elijah Wood and Shirley Manson. I think their choice of interpretation and integration of the glasses was enticing and original which combined with a great musical choice added up to the following:

The glasses can be purchased here.

Wearing Your Shades In The Shade

Depending on where you live, sunglasses might or might not be within your possession at all times around the year. But regardless of that, we are all subjected to having to take the sunglasses off at one point or another. The question however is, what to do with said sunglasses at that moment in time?!

Tom Ford I love you!

We can start with what NOT to do!

1. Wearing your sunglasses on your head or on the back of your head

Sunglasses are definitely not a hair accessory boys and girls and therefore should not serve as an improvised headband. Therefore I vote NO to sunglasses on your head.

Wearing them on the back of your head can only have one outcome and that is making you look like a tool. Not only does it not look appealing but in the event your glasses were to slip off the back of your head, how will you ever catch them, eh?!

2. Wearing your sunglasses indoors and at night

Before deciding if this applies to you, please follow this very simple flowchart:

Thankfully, for most of us the answer is NO NO NO. Not only is it tacky but it's quite unsafe especially in darker rooms and at night. 

3. Wearing sunglasses around your neck

Unless you are too old to remember where you left your glasses, there is no excuse for needing your glasses to hang around your neck all day.

No Croakies....EVER!

In the land of TO DO however, the choices are less flexible.

1. Hanging your sunglasses on the neck of your t-shirt/blouse

Though not the most stylish way to don your sunglasses in times of shade, hanging it on your top garment is a much better option than any of the NOT to do ones. Just don't forget to hold your glasses when bending !

2. Putting your glasses in your front pocket

By far the best and most stylish way to sport sunglasses other than on your eyes is to slip them into your coat/t-shirt's front pocket,  remembering to orient them lens inward!