Summer Sunnies!

Let’s get right down to business. Although we’re only just out of Feb, our Mumbai weather seems to have skipped past spring and hunkered down firmly in mid-summer. (Anyone else nearly died with the temps on Tuesday?) That means, unless you want watery, squinty eyes courtesy the sun’s glare, you need to invest in a pair of sunglasses. (Or sunnies, as they say in England.) Sunglasses also protect the delicate skin around your eyes from the nasty – read, ageing – effects of UV rays. And since I don’t know anyone who wants to look like they’re fifty when they’re just past their thirtieth birthday, a good pair of sunglasses with the proper UV protection lenses is a must. That means, btw, buying your sunglasses off the roadside is NOT an option. Sorry, peeps, but the raasta ka maal and the cheap Chinese websites don’t have anyone checking up on them to ensure that what they claim is true. But, fear not, you don’t have to spend 15 thousand rupees on Gucci or some other brand to protect your eyes. Cheap-ish and cheerful does exist in the sunglass world.

Saying that, when should you flash the cash, and when should you imitate Scrooge McDuck?

If you’re looking at getting just one pair of sunnies to take you through this year, I’d say go mid-range. There are great pairs that can be purchased from about a thousand rupees up to four thou. Stores like Zara and the sunglass sections of Shopper’s Stop, Lifestyle and Pantaloons are the best for these. I got these white ones a year ago in the Zara sale. This 60’s style is still very popular and will be for another year if the A/W 2018 runways were anything to judge.

If you’re the kind who likes the classic styles and you plan on keeping your sunnies around for a while, you might as well go big. No, I don’t necessarily mean splurge, although I’ll admit that my designer brands usually last for a good seven to ten years. It’s a decent price per wear – if you can afford to drop upwards of fifteen thousand at a go. If you’re looking for a pair that will go the distance (unlike that last relationship!) the more expensive high street stores and smaller designers work very well. Guess, RayBan, Kate Spade, Charles & Keith and Tommy Hilfiger usually have very classic styles in excellent quality that will last years and won’t break the bank. Expect to pay something in the five to twelve thousand range. The sunglasses will last at least three to five years, and in some cases, up to seven.

If you follow trends religiously, and must have the latest item the second it becomes popular, ignore all that’s gone before. Sunglass trends change rapidly from one season to the next simply because replacing accessories is so much cheaper and easier for everyone. I’d advise you to stick to stores like H&M and Forever 21. The trends hit as soon as the season does, and below a thousand rupees too. It makes it easy to get your five or six months wear out of them, and chuck them for the next trend.

These squarish cat-eyed ones (such a good dupe for the Celine sunnies) cost me approximately five hundred at Forever 21. 

And these cat-eye ones – oh so popular at the moment – cost me eight hundred at H&M.

There are also great bargains to be had across a ton of popular shopping websites. But my advice for sunnies is the same as for shoes “Try before you buy”. What looks fantastic on the model may not necessarily look amazing on you. Unless you know for sure that that exact pair of sunglasses suits your face and your style, I’d spend the extra penny and head to a store.

What’s your sunglass style for this summer? I’d love to know.

Till next time,

MumbaiGirl

IG: @maryannecp.