Outdoor Retailer
words/images Judith Ecochard
Eye protection is serious biz-we have a pal with melanoma in his dark brown left eye...geez---so while we always buy sunglasses for how they look-the technology has to be there-especially for outdoor sports.
New to us at OR-was French brand
Julbo®---founded in 1888 in the mountains around Chamonix. Building on its heritage of performance/travel lines...Julbo showed many techy Zebra Light® photochromatic sunglasses- in protection categories 1-3 that are genius-ultra-clear when "unactivated"---darkens quickly-and works in low light conditions. Big enough lenses to offer full eye area protection too.
Highlights:
Julbo's Dust...lightweight...with a 'grippy' nosepiece good for sweat-inducing sports like running and cycling.
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| also available with interchangeable lenses ($140-$170) |
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| Ultra $170...changes lense tone in secs- |
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| bendable lens technology reduces facial injuries...tough to break too |
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| Whoops -women's performance frame in shiny black |
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| Pipeline-side pieces are great for venting heat-offered four different lense options |
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| Dolphin-polarized sunglasses that float |
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| Chrono-classic aviator style-lightweight metal frame, adjustable nosepiece, smooth rubber inserts at temple area-polarlized-great for driving too |
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| $100-$190 |
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| Truck $100-$190 |
RYDERS-25 years young- also makes performance sunglasses- for bikers and runners in particular-at lower prices points that are good for those who constantly lose their shades. Like us.
Nice though- features needed for sporty types are all there-like textured hydrophilic temple tips, grippy, anti-slip nose pads, lenses (polarized, photochromatic, polar-photo-eliminates glare, interchangeable) that all offer 100% UVA, UVB, UVC protection, and shatterproof lenses at that.
New---this pretty shield style in tortoise...$40...$60 for polarized lenses.
Semi-rim and rimless start at $39.99
Full rim...
FYI: Ryders frames are made with TR90 material that is lightweight, flexible and durable....
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| Swamper-semi-rim classic great for riding/running-with adjustable nose/temple |
GANT is a full lifestyle label steeped in American east coast tradition----with re-invigorated apparel collections...and now sunglasses by its hip designer, Michael Bastian
At a recent media preview---we thought the shades we saw- "...
happy, optimistic, and thoroughly American..."
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| Alice sunglases $200-grey lenses |
Inspired by the 70's television show/episode, the Brady Bunch's holiday sojourn to Hawai---which unreal, like "Friends"-we never watched --serving as the blueprint for silhouettes...as did the touristy souvenirs from real friends' jaunts to that tropical paradise.
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| up top-the heart shaped Cindy eyewear $195- works because they are rounded at the bottom-not angular---and actually look good on certain faces...not gimmicky either. |
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| FUN-turtle print Betty w/green lenses $195 |
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| two toned translucent grey frame, green temple---Mike $195 |
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| also Gant by Michal Bastian- classics aviator Marcia $195- and round shades-Jan $200-we felt had a nice 30's /70's retro-chic vibe |
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| more view of Marcia-cutesy inspiration perhaps- but high-end fabrications |
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| ear pieces-flexible- with rubber tips hold them in place-incredibly light-weight too |
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| Cindy goes boho |
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| Greg and Peter frames in summery tones-sunshine yellow, orange,..love the lagoon blue color pop on the inside of the Greg double frame construction. Bobby in tortoise frame $195- |
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| Greg sunglasses get groovy with orange over navy frames with grey lenses $195 |
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| Peter-Gant by Michael Bastian $195 |
GANT RUGGER $125 and GANT collections ---similarly tricked out in fashionable colors, traditional shapes- that work well with the Spring 2012 clothes we saw all over the runways and at presentations-from many labels.
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| Aloha and Mahalo-the eyewear was very well presented too! |
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| details-like this striped pattern make these sunglasses-something special |
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| Classic sunglasses from Gant's 'regular' collection $125/each |
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| Polarized lenses Wolfie and Gavin from the Gant Rugger collection $125 |
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| Stoffe $125 |
Gant by Michael Bastian and Gant eyewear (prices range around $125-$200)- retail at upscale independent retailers like Barney's and at Gant stores worldwide...
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| Wearing the heart shaped Cindy- Gamt by Michael Bastian-we thought she looked great in them!!!!! |
Semi-rim and rimless start at $39.99
