Ray-ban sunglasses were developed in 1937 by Bausch & Lomb at the request of the United States Army Air Corps. The sunglasses were the first in the market to combine metal frames with tear drop shaped green lenses. Once they hit the market, they become an instant success. Over the years the sunglasses have undergone a number of changes, but they still retain their original look.
Styles of Ray Ban sunglasses
Aviator sunglasses: They are characterized by a streamlined look and wide, tinted lenses. The lenses come in different colors including: Green, light blue, gold and violet. You should go with the color that pleases you the most. If you are looking for a sophisticated look, fashion experts recommend that you go for black sunglasses.
Wayfarer: They give you a movie star look. They were introduced in the market over 50 years ago and are characterized by thick, square frames and the trademark black color. In addition to the black color, they come in other colors including: White, light blue, tortoiseshell and many others.
Polarized: As a sunglasses’ wearer, you not only were the glasses to look good, you also wear them to protect your eyes. Polarized sunglasses from Ray-ban reduce the sun’s glare when you are boating, skiing or engaging in any other sports. Ray-ban polarized sunglasses feature wide lenses thus giving you optimum protection.
Buying genuine Ray-ban sunglasses
For you to have the Ray-ban experience you have to buy the real sunglasses. Due to the popularity of the brand, there are some people that might try selling you other sunglasses posing them as Ray-ban. When making the purchase, be cautious. Here are some of the areas that you should focus on:
Plastic seams: Ray-ban products are made from high quality materials. The plastic body of the units is cut into a single piece and hand polished. This means that it’s rare to find rough spots, nicks, seams or any imperfections. If you find any seam in the sunglasses that you are buying, run.
Lenses: Ray-ban uses real glass in making most of its lenses. When making the purchase, give the lenses a few flicks using your fingernail. If there is a clicking sound, it’s a good sign. While most of the lenses are made from glass, there are a few that aren’t made from glass. To know those from ray-ban, get advice of a professional. For peace of mind that you are buying a genuine product, buy from a reputable Ray-ban sunglasses store.
Fashionable Sunglasses Buying Tips
With the many brands and designs of fashionable sunglasses in the market, you can be confused on the factors that you should consider when buying the units. If planning of buying sunglasses don’t go at it blindly. Here are tips on how to choose sunglasses:
Effectiveness of the sunglasses to protect you from UV rays
Regardless of how sleek the sunglasses look like, they aren’t real sunglasses if they can’t protect you from ultraviolet radiation. To protect your eyes from diseases go for units that have the ability of blocking 99-100% of UVA and UVB radiation. When making the purchase take a look at the label and only buy sunglasses that read 100% UV or UV 400 protection.
Lens material and tint
Sunglasses are made from different materials. Some are heavy while others aren’t. Three of the most common materials used in making the lenses are: Polycarbonate, CR-39, and glass. Polycarbonate is preferred by many sunglasses manufacturers as it’s lightweight and durable.
Tint is applied on the sunglasses in order to help the sunglasses absorb light. While the color you choose depends on your personal taste, you should be keen as some tints not only give the sunglasses a look, they also have functional roles. The most common tints are: Gray, green, brown, yellow, rose and amber. If you are interested in sport sunglasses, you should go for those with a rose tint. The units provide a good contrast for objects that you view against green or blue backgrounds.
Sunglasses frame
The sunglasses frame determines how comfortable you feel and look. Frames are made from different materials including: Titanium, base metals, aluminum and other materials. Before you decide on the frame you should try out different frame types and sizes and settle on the one that looks good, is light and feels comfortable. Sunglasses, especially designer sunglasses are expensive; therefore, ensure that the frame you choose is from a durable material.
Other features to keen eyes on
Above are the main factors that you should consider when buying sunglasses. Although, not very important, there are other features that you should consider. If you want more protection to your eyes, go for units with polarized lenses. These are units that come with polarizing films that aid in reducing the glare that comes about when light bounces off some objects.
Scratch is usually the main enemy of sunglasses. To avoid scratches on your sunglasses, buy those with scratch resistant lenses. Also remember to buy the units from a reputable sunglasses store.