Categories: Columns

Here’s a Quick Guide to Packing for Vision Expo East. Hint: Don’t Skimp on the Eyewear

All packed for Vision Expo?

YOU’RE GETTING READY for five to seven days in NYC! You want to look your best, so you pack clothes for classes, exhibits, lunches, dinners, parties, plays, etc. But wait, you’re missing the most important accessory!

No, not ties or jewelry. You need to make a statement with your eyewear.

Just follow these four basic rules and you’ll have it made:

Minimums. You can’t show up in the same eyewear every day, you know — the ones with the green nose pads. You’ll need a minimum of two pairs per day (I like to pack a dozen). Start your day casual for classes and exhibits, sunglasses for lunch and dressier for dinner and parties. Think Todd Rogers zyl to Vinylize sun to Barton Perreira metal.
Styles. Mix it up! Pack zyl and metal, round and rectangular, P3 and aviators, sunglasses and sun clips, vintage and more. Don’t fall for that antiquated rule and let your face shape dictate your style. Think classic Salt aviators to something completely off the wall by Kuboraum.
Colors. Let’s color coordinate, especially for formal occasions. Remember that black is basic, so pack it in casual, dress and sun. If you’re sportin’ earth tones, match it up — think Garrett Leight. If you’re blowin’ blue, Blake Kuwahara can take it to the next level. You can match almost anything with champagne or tokyo tortoise. Think Vinylize Nvsble and old school Mikli. But if you want to really make a statement, go totally unmatched. Think LA Eyeworks where they eagerly assault every color combination known to man.
Brands. Aka The Empowerment Rule. Your appointment schedule should dictate the brand of glasses you wear. When visiting an exhibitor, do not wear their brand. Wearing their glasses puts the vendor in charge. Wear a competitor’s brand and you’ve established dominance. You’ve given a subtle message: You don’t need them as much as they need you. Now, it gets a little tougher when attending multi-vendor exhibits or parties. That’s when it’s time to get ruthless, and vintage is the answer. I like going old-school Chrome Hearts, knowing I’ll be the only one in that style. Lastly, shy away from frames by large, multi-brand vendors (yeah, them) or you’ll see your frame all over the expo.

Hope to see you in the Big Apple, just not in the same eyewear everyday!

Dave Schultz

Dr. Dave Schultz and his wife opened his first office in San Luis Obispo, CA, in 1990. In 2000, they rebranded to Urban Optics, but their dedication to independent eyewear never wavered. Known as “The Man in Short Pants,” Dr. Dave and his daughter Hanna, who now manages the business, have thrived due to their willingness to embrace change and evolve. He will be at Vison Expo East in March. If you see a man in shorts and fantastic frames, stop him to say hi!