Sunwear Focus: Sunny Delights

The forecast is for dramatic shape and color in all sunwear segments

(INCLUDING RX-ABLE FRAMES)

Published in the March/April 2014 issue

’TIS THE SEASON to increase your sunwear sales. By offering a distinctive mix of designer brands and quality prescriptionready frames, you can boost the likelihood that customers will buy more than one pair to meet their variety of outdoor leisure pursuits and fashion needs this spring. Prescription sunglasses are increasingly available through leading global brands. But that’s not always obvious to your clients, so be sure to point out customized Rx premium sunglasses and sports eyewear tailored to the wearer’s specific needs. And since innovations in lens technology are constantly evolving, discuss color selection, materials and special treatments with customers — and offer recaps on such basics as polarization, glare reduction or options such as Transitions adaptive lenses. It’s a whole new high-tech world out there. — CLODAGH NORTON

MAUI JIM
For beachside weddings, strolls along the boardwalk or lasting impressions at a job interview, Small Kine (Style 251) makes a big statement. These retro-style aviators have lightweight lenses and single gradient tinting that offer wide, distortion-free views. Featuring a classic combination of tortoise or black acetate details, rimmed in pure, scratch- and impact-resistant titanium. In gloss black with neutral gray lenses. Also available in antique gold or gold satin with HCLBronze lenses that improve vision in variable light conditions.

MSRP: $309

(888) 666-5905 | mauijim.com

SALT OPTICS
Shown here in Caspian tortoise fade, Pickford is a refined classic. Inspired by 1950s Americana, the frame embodies that era’s timeless appeal. A tailored fit with glass polarized lenses and AR coating offers an incredible visual experience. Also offered in matte black and matte burlywood. Suitable for prescription lenses.

MSRP: $415

(949) 574 3800 | saltoptics.com

LEISURE SOCIETY
Nietzsche, with its round frames and keyhole bridge, takes a scholarly look and gives it contemporary style. Multi-dimensional laser etching has been applied to the titanium, with high-quality enamel insets. Designer Shane Baum calls the aesthetic here “class, and an heirloom-type substance, with an elevated sense of style.” With optional polarized CR-39 sun lens with hydrophobic coating and proprietary 12-layer anti-reflective UGR12TM coating.

MSRP: $670

(949) 645.8783 | leisure-society.com

RAY-BAN
Spring is the time for makeovers, and the classic Ray-Ban Aviator is sporting a fresh, colorful look this season. Model RB3025JM has a golden metal frame wrapped in acetate, with a vibrant palette and tone-ontone crystal gradient lenses adding contemporary appeal. Available in green (pictured), blue, red, white, tortoiseshell, yellow and black.

MSRP: $180

(800)422-2020 | luxottica.com

ROBERTO CAVALLI
Achird (RC787S) has true star quality with its cat’s-eye shape and super-glamorous personality. The upper frontal part is accented by an iridescent texture or animal print underlining the beauty of the model. Available in shiny black, black/white, pearl blue and pearl burgundy.

MSRP: $295

(888) MARCOLIN | usmarcolin.com

NIKE VISION
When the weather heats up, Nike’s Mercurial is ready for action with its comfortably light wraparound frame and bold swoosh branding on each side. The Nike Mercurial 6.0 (EVO 778) and Nike Mercurial 8.0 (EVO 781, pictured) come in a variety of colors and lenses for many prescription needs. From Marchon USA.

MSRP: $110

(800) 645-1300| nikevision.com

CAZAL
Cult label Cazal launches its latest look book for 2014 in a collaboration with legendary director Spike Lee and filmmaker Armen Djerrahian, both Cazal fans. Here’s a model in the classic 616 in camouflage, with myriad small details — a little pin here, a slot in the 8-mm acetate there — that lend the frame its sturdy appeal and multifaceted character. Photographed on the streets of Fort Greene, Brooklyn, where Lee grew up.

MSRP: $575

+ 49 (851) 94980 0 | cazal-eyewear.com

SILHOUETTE
The classic Trophy (Model 8653), a lightweight wraparound, now offers new color combinations and matte temples. Some Silhouette sunglasses can be equipped with state-of-the-art POL technology, which enhances contrast, eliminates glare, and lets wearers look into the sun without squinting. Almost all Silhouette sunglasses can also be fitted with prescription lenses. Available in polarized brown, polarized gray and gray gradient.

MSRP: $82

(800) 223-0180 | silhouette.com