Rewear your sustainable sunglasses this summer

If you’re looking for sustainable sunglasses this summer, you can’t make a better choice than going for a vintage or preloved sunglasses frame. These ethical, eco friendly frames are already in existance so no new prescious planetary resources are being used producing them, so there’s a much lower impact on the environment.

We’re talking how to protect your eyes in the sun, prescription sunglasses and repairing and rewearing your current sunnies to keep you cool in the shade..

rewear old sunglasses

‘The most sustainable item is the one you already own’

If you’ve scratched the lenses in your fave sunglasses or want to add in your new prescription we can reglaze them with 100% uv lenses for that all important al fresco ordering or garden reading.

Still loving an old glasses frame? Turn your old glasses into sunglasses and give them a new lease of life.

If your sunglasses frame is in need of repair, take a peep at our repair and restorations services, we can fix broken hinges, polish out whitening and scratching and replace parts like nosepads and end tips.

If you’ve got old sunglasses you’re rewearing or you’ve purchased vintage sunglasses with the original lenses and aren’t sure how old the lenses are, you need to make sure the UV protection is still intact.

The UV protection in old lenses can degrade over time and this can be worse than wearing no sunglasses at all. Wearing dark sunnies opens up the pupil, allowing more light in and if the UV protection isn’t there, you could be opening yourself up to more damage. It’s a simple check - you can take them to your local opticians and ask to have them UV tested or send them into us and we’ll do it for you.

summer sun protection

Sunglasses are the most essential accessory (we’re biased but still) they’re not only super stylish, but have the important task of protecting our eyes. The sun’s UV rays are strongest between 11am and 4pm from early April to late September in the UK and this is where the sun can really do some damage.

Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet light and UV radiation is linked to some serious eye conditions like photokeratitis (corneal sunburn) and research has found that 5-10% of skin cancers occur on the eyelid - ouch!

Protect your peepers by investing in quality sunglasses that filter out both UVA and UVB radiation. Over 90% of UV light can pass through even light cloud - so don't leave home without your sustainable sunnies. When you’re shopping for sunnies go for UV 400 protection, we fully refurbish all our sunglasses frames before adding in new modern optical grade 100% protection UV 400 lenses.

The bigger the frame, the better the coverage. Oversized or wraparound sunglasses block the most sun, especially when those rays are bouncing off pavements and pools.

custom colour tints

Freshen up your sunglasses with a new tint colour. It's not the colour of your lenses that matters, it's the percentage of UV protection that counts. So you can go for that dreamy pale tint as long as you go for 100% UV protection, although darker tints can offer more comfort and relaxed vision in bright sunlight, as they reduce the amount of light that enters the eye - this equates to less squinting ergo less wrinkles.

Talk to us about custom tinting and take a peep at our latest custom colour creations of brown-to-pink and brown-to-yellow ombres, sheer 70s vintage sepia tint washes, or talk to us about colour matching your favourite shirt.

prescription sunglasses

We can add in your prescription to any of our vintage or preloved glasses frames. Prescription sunglasses are available for all prescriptions including far sighted, near sighted and astigmatism, as well as multifocal (varifocal) lenses. We also offer mirror tinting, lens thinning and additional anti reflective lens treatments, or go for polarising to filter out even more glare and enrich true colour.

Any of our sunglasses frames (or frame only styles) can be fitted with prescription UV sunglasses lenses, they’re even good for contact lens wearers taking a break when eyes feel irritated during allergy season or at the beach.

sustainable style

Choosing sustainable sunglasses is about more the materials they’re made from, it’s also about getting the most longevity out of your sunnies by choosing the right style for you and looking after your eyewear with regular cleaning (with the cloth) and proper storage (in the case).

Go for classic styles that won’t date, timeless designs and easy to wear shapes. Styles you know suit your face shape, colourways that work with your wardrobe and palettes that suit your skin tone and you won’t go wrong.

Take a peep at our ready to wear sunnies or create and customise your own from our frame only range and lower your carbon footprint this summer without lifing a finger.

Jo

70s sunglasses style guide

Iconic 70s sunglasses styles and the shapes that made them famous. Everything in the 1970s was a statement piece, from the Farah Fawcett’s hair to the denim jumpsuit and the sunglasses were no exception. Here’s our take on sustainable 70s sunglasses styles to get that authentic seventies vibe…

The seventies were about making style statements in mother earth tones like harvest gold, burnt sienna and avocado (seen on both sunglasses and bathroom suites).

Amber and orange tinting was popular, seen on icons like John Lennon and graduated tinting was de jour; lenses dip dyed in tanks by hand (we still do it like this today) to produce a sumptous dark to light fade effect.

Actress Sophia Loren enjoyed showing a bit of eye and wore a washed, eye revealing sheer tint throughout the seventies with her oversized sunnies. Her love of sunglasses was so great she became the first celebrity to have her own eyewear brand. 

Mould breaking materials were being used and bold shapes were being used from influences like the Vietnam War, actors and activists.

Oversized 70s sunglasses

Superiszed 70s shades are having a moment. The bigger the better to make an authentic style statement, plus oversized sunglasses give the most protection from the sun, a happy bonus. Original 70s vintage oversized shades are not only the eco friendly choice - they’re the real deal. Perfect for those days when less is definitely not more.

70s aviator sunglasses

like the kind activist Gloria Steinem wore when she first championed female rights in the 70s. First invented by Bausch and Lomb for RayBan as sunglasses for pilots in the 1930s, aviator sunglasses are so classic that they resurface every decade, but were beloved in the 1970s in both acetate and metal, square and teardrop. We just can’t underplay our love affair with the double bridge and those iconic rock’n’roll lines.

70S BUTTERFLY

The 70s butterfly is feminine and easy to wear shape inspired by the symetry of the butterfly. Metal or acetate, create the perfect 1970s aesthetic and get your boho on with a pair of butterfly sunglasses. Based on the wings of a butterfly, these sunglasses have all the extra vintage design details to make your style stand out from the crowd.

70s SQUARE sunglasses

70s squares are easy to wear, possibly the perfect retro accessory, oversized square frames are the shape of the moment and we can’t get enough of them. The oversize angles give us that superstar look with a laid back 1970s feel. Bold and beautiful and instantly recognizable as sunglasses from this era.

THE DROP SIDE

The devils in the detail and they were big on adding details to sunglasses in the 70s when they invented the drop side. Sitting lower down the frame, usually accompanied by the most intricate designs, makes the vintage pieces more like works of art. If you’re after something extra special go for a pair with drop sides.

During the 70s sunglasses transitioned from being functional, with the sole purpose of sun protection, to fashion accessories that expressed your personal style.

The styles and shapes of the seventies were so good, moden makers are manufacturing them to this day, but there’s nothing like owning and wearing an authentic vintage 70s piece - take a peep at our 70s sustainable sunglasses collection…

peace out

Jo

eco friendly sunglasses for summer

Few things are as important than a good pair of sunglasses, not only a style statement but an essential piece of holiday kit. But if you’re worried about climate change and want to make an eco friendly sunglasses choice this summer, you can’t do better than going for a vintage or preloved sustainable sunglasses frame.

These ethical, planet friendly frames already exist so no new resources or energy have gone into producing them and so they have a much lower impact on the environment. If you want to make a conscious choice this summer this is the way to go..

sustainable sunglasses

We know how important it is to protect your eyes from the sun rays while you’re chillin by the pool, so make sure your sunglasses offer 100% UV protection. While it may be tempting to buy cheap replicas of designer sunglasses, fake sunnies are not the way to go as they may not offer you the same eye protection. Quality sunglasses frames and lenses meet strict safety standards ensuring they block UV light from reaching the eyes.

Vintage and designer sunglasses are better built, so it’s worth investing in a well made sunglasses frame that will last you longer and stand the test of time. They offer much better value in the long run as you’ll get more cost per wear and quality sunglasses can also be repaired and restored. Poorly made sunglasses frames are likely to break after a few wears and are only destined for landfill.

Vintage and preloved sunglasses

Whether you choose one-of-a-kind vintage or planet friendly preloved sunnies, you’ve made a truly sustainable sunglasses choice. No new resources are used when you shop second hand sunglasses, they’re ethically produced, can often be handmade and they’re a low or no waste option.

Unlike the traditional production process of regular sunglasses which involves huge amounts of plastic waste and unsustainable manufacturing processes, vintage frames were made with very little or no production waste at all.

If you own a pair of vintage sunglasses with original lenses its always worth getting the UV levels checked to ensure they haven’t degraded and the UV protection is still in place. It’s a quick check at the opticians or we can do it for you and if the lenses aren’t offering you the protection, we can replace old lenses with new 100% UV protected ones to prolong the life of your sunglasses.

sunglasses repairs

If your sunglasses have suffererd a little wear and are in need a some tlc you can prolong the life of your sunglasses with our repairs and restoration services. We can repair hinges and replace nosepads and tips along with more complex repairs.

Our polishing service removes scratches and restores lustre to frames before a deep cleansing in our ultra sonic cleaner. Nearly new to rewear for another summer in the sunshine.

Driving in sunglasses

Not wearing sunglasses could now see drivers on the wrong side of the law as glare from the sun can adversely affect your perception of the road. Failing to take preventative measures like wearing sunglasses or lowering the sun visor could see you with a hefty fine and nine points on your licence.. eek.

Sun glare is tricky to drive with, unexpected bursts of light from behind a cloud can really harm our ability to see, while rainfall can reflect sunlight off puddles, consider a pair of polarised sunglasses which protect against glare and halos from reflected rays and be prepared by keeping a spare pair of sunnies in the car - just don’t leave them on the dash.

Take a peep at our eco friendly sunglasses and if you can't find what you're looking for check out our frame only range and turn them into the sustainable sunglasses of your dreams..

Bring on the sun!

Jo

Top Gun and our aviator sunglassess obsession

Aviator sunglasses are back, well for us they never really left, with the release of Top Gun: Maverick this month, so don’t lose that loving feeling and fall in love with vintage aviator sunglasses all over again.

a little Aviator sunglasses history

During World War II the military procured glasses for pilots that enhanced vision and reduced glare at altitude. There’s some debate about who was first to design aviator sunglasses. American Optical (AO) supplied essential goggles to US military pilots. 

The US Army Air Corps enlisted another eyewear master Bausch & Lomb who developed the iconic Ray-Ban Aviator in the 1930s. They hit the mainstream in 1950s and then had a surge of popularity in the 1970s and 1980s with the release of Top Gun.

Top Gun 2 Maverick

It was 1986 when Top Gun was released and we all fell a little bit in love with Tom Cruise as Maverick (not to mention Val Kilmer and Kelly McGillis) but it was really the gold aviator sunglasses he wore that stole the show (along with the shirtless beach volleyball).

So now Maverick’s back and if you’re after an action packed adrenaline rush, aerial scenes and songs by Lady Gaga, this could be one of your movies of the summer.

why we love aviator sunglasses

Not just for pilots we love aviator sunglasses as it’s such a classic timeless look that will never date. Freshen things up and wear them as your glasses frame. Choose from 70s square acetate aviators or the iconic 80s metal pilot teardrop style.

Adored by celebrities like Al Pacino in Scarface, Robert De Niro, in the 1976 film Taxi Driver and feminist Gloria Steinem in her 70s aviators.

Take a peep at our curated collection of vintage aviator sunglasses, add in your prescription or change up the tint colour and make like a maverick this summer.

I’m off to book my movie seats.. you?

Jo

The Serpent sunglasses - seventies styling at its best

lucas-ricardo-ignacio

We’re more than a little obsessed with the BBC’s latest drama, The Serpent, set in 1970s Bangkok, where notorious French criminal Charles Sobhraj targeted tourists on the Asian hippie trail posing as a gem dealer. We’ve created a mini collection in homage to The Serpent - original 70s sunglasses for your viewing pleasure.

Seventies sunglasses steal virtually every scene throughout the series, although the rest of the styling is equally en flique - kudos to the BBC style team. Tahar Rahim and Jenna Coleman knock it out of the park with their roles as Alain and Monique.

Square shapes, oversized frames and aviators with washed out sepia and graduated tints showing off the eyes were huge in the 70s. Headscarfs, halternecks and woven bags - team with your seventies sunnies and you won’t go wrong for that authentic 70s aesthetic.

The seventies were all about making style statements and showing your personality in palettes of earthy tones with yellow and graduated tints - take a peep at our brand new Serpent Collection

You’re welcome.

Jo

Summer Sun

Summer’s arrived and we’re so ready to soak up that glorious summer sun. Staying home and hitting the garden is now a national pastime, so it’s pretty important to stay safe while having fun in the sun this summer.

le sun tan

Tanning became chic when Coco Chanel accidentally caught too much sun on a cruise in Cannes in the 1920s - or so the story goes. Before this having a tan was deeply unfashionable. Ladies went to unfathomable lengths applying lead based products and carrying parasols to stay chalky white.

But by the 1960s air travel was happening and the glamour of holidaying in the Mediterranean was irresistible. The main focus of the holiday to return with a deep tan with which to wow the neighbours.

Tanning got seriously fashionable - self-tanning products, around since the 1950s, were thrown around in abandon and then sunbeds were thrust upon us in the late 70s to keep us fully bronzed. As much as we love the feel of sun on our skin, these days I think we’ll all take healthy skin over tanned any day of the week.

summer sun and health

sarah o'shea

Summer in the sun… BBQs, lazy hazy afternoons, getting green fingered in the garden - there are lots of benefits to getting outside in the summer sun. A daily dose of vitamin D strengthens bones, while sunlight improves sleep quality by resetting our circadian rhythm. Sunlight reduces blood pressure - mine drops as soon as I hit the garden with a glass of something fruity.

Sunlight also improves mood - when light enters the eye, it stimulates neurons in the hypothalamus, a mood influencing part of the brain. These nerve impulses travel to the pineal gland, which regulates serotonin, the feel-good hormone linked to mood, the natural light boosting our mood and giving us all the good vibes.

how to stay safe in the sun

seeking shade - Tony Ross

Staying safe in the sun is essential to avoid sun damage and skin cancer (not to mention skin ageing). Sunburn increases the risk of skin cancer and skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK. It’s on the rise again and 100,000 new cases are now diagnosed each year, while 9 in 10 cases of melanoma could have been prevented by enjoying the sun safely.

The sun’s UV rays are the strongest between 11am and 4pm from early April to late September. This is the time where the sun can cause damage, so we need to show it some respect.

One of the best ways to protect your skin from the sun's rays is to spend some time in the shade. Shade and clothing are more effective than sunscreen and more natural and eco friendly to boot. Take a break under trees, parasols, canopies or our personal fave - head indoors for a lazy long luncheon.

Rays reflect off pavements and burn through sheer fabrics, so choose loose-fitting pieces with a close weave material. If you can see through, UV radiation can penetrate the fabric and reach your skin. Unbleached cotton contains natural agents that absorb UV. Hats are your friend - I don’t leave home without my trusty cap.

SCREEN YOUR SKIN

Morgan Alley

Too much sun causes sunburn and can trigger early signs of ageing - the wrinkles, pigmentation and sagging skin we all want to avoid - so sun care is a must. It’s time to take a fresh look at our sunscreen. Wearing formulas that protect from both UVA and UVB rays are crucial in protecting our skin and slowing down the ageing process.

It will also prevent skin issues such as rosacea, acne and eczema from flaring up.  Whatever we put on our skin is absorbed into our skin, so it’s important to look at ingredients and go for more natural products that are kinder and show our skin some love.

It’s good to consider environmental credentials too when choosing a sunscreen. How ocean safe is it? Chemicals contained in suncreams are thought to be damaging to marine life and coral reefs alike.

Chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate can seep into the water, where they're being absorbed by corals, algae, sea urchins, fish and mammals. Look for sunscreens with natural mineral ingredients aka titanium oxide and zinc oxide.

Choose a broad spectrum, high protection SPF with UVA 4* or 5* protection. Pop it on half an hour before you go in the sun. Apply liberally and reapply every 2 hours. Don't leave it in the sun - it stops working when stored above 25°C . And yes, it has a shelf life - once expired it's not effective... so bin it and recycle that tube.

protect your peepers

It’s National Sunglasses Day on 27 June and keeping your eyes protected from the sun is essential in summer. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet light and UV radiation is linked to some serious eye conditions... cataracts, macular degeneration, photokeratitis (corneal sunburn) and research has found that 5-10% of skin cancers occur on the eyelid… eek!

Protect your peepers by investing in quality sunglasses that filter out both UVA and UVB radiation. Over 90% of UV light can pass through even light cloud - so don't leave home without them.

It's not the colour of your lenses, it's the percentage of UV protection that matters, so you can go for that dreamy pale tint as long as you go for 100% UV protection. Oversized or wraparound sunglasses block the most sun, especially when those rays are bouncing off pavements and pools.

UV damage is cumulative, occurring over a lifetime of exposure. Children are especially vulnerable, so get them in good habits of throwing on their sunnies when you do and stay sun safe this summer.

Check out our range of 100% UV protected sunnies or customise your own adding in tints and graduations from our frame only range.

Get ready to turn up the heat.

Jo

The history of sunglasses

It's International Sunglasses day and we think that's a day worth celebrating. Join us as we take a trip down memory lane and check out the history of sunglasses…

Ocean vintage sunnies

Sunglasses or 'suncheaters' have a colourful history, from the Roman Emperor Nero who viewed gladiator matches through an emerald, to the Inuits ingenious snow goggles design, featuring small slits to limit the suns access and prevent snow blindness. 

Inuit wooden snow goggles

The Chinese were known to use pieces of smoky quartz as vision aids. Known as Ai Tai, meaning ‘dark clouds covering the sun’, the scrolls say they were worn in court to conceal their facial expressions during trials - handy!

The first tinted sunnies 'Goldoni Glasses' appeared in Venice, Italy in the late 18th century. Named after the famous playwright Carlo Goldoni, they were worn by gondoliers on the sunny canals of Venice. At the same time 'eye preservers' were popular in Britain with peeps that suffered from light sensitivity.

In the 1920s sunglasses were sold off the Atlantic City boardwalk by Sam Foster and became a fashion staple amongst the rich and famous. Actors and actresses loved them as they shielded their eyes from the blinding movie set lights. Off screen sunglasses were perfect for remaining incognito. 

During World War II, the military designed spectacles for pilots that would enhance vision and reduce glare at altitude. The US Army Air Corps enlisted the help of eyeglasses maker Bausch & Lomb, who developed the iconic Ray-Ban Aviator in 1939. They went on to use ground breaking plastic molding technology in the 50’s and the Wayfarer was born.

In the 60s and 70s everything got supersized and we have Jackie O to thank for making oversized sunglasses a thing - and the rest as they say is history (of sunglasses).

Photo by Hust Wilson on Unsplash

Sunglasses are so important for blocking the sun's ultraviolet light. Exposure to light and UV radiation is linked to serious eye conditions... cataracts, macular degeneration, photokeratitis (corneal sunburn), and cancerous growths of the eye... ouch!

Protect your peepers by investing in quality sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB radiation. It's not the colour of the lenses, it's the percentage of UV protection that counts. Go for 100% every time. Although tiny 90s glasses are enjoying a revival, it's oversized or wraparound sunglasses that block the most sun, especially when those rays are bouncing off sand and sea. 

Stay safe and celebrate those sunnies!

Check out our latest summer styles here.

Jo
 

Wake Up Your Wardrobe

cottonbro

We're using January to do a little fashion refresh for the coming seasons and urge you to do the same. Feel a little lighter and fall in love with your clothes again...

Wardrobe Wrestle

Fed up wrestling with your wardrobe and rotating the same few items? Wardrobes bursting at the seams are both a distraction and a drain on your time. The time is nigh to set aside a few hours to play dress-up and be brutal.

To earn a coveted place in your wardrobe each piece needs to be either beautiful or practical and should make you look and feel good. Think minimal - colour coordinate... it may change your life.

"Modern Minimalism is about simplicity, whether quality or trend, longevity is the key to a consciously curated wardrobe" we couldn't agree more Sophie Benson, one of our fave style bloggers - check out some of her fab sustainable fashion posts and make your wardrobe work for you. 

Style Challenge

Pick a piece from your wardrobe (not pants) and get creative. Wear your staple piece for the whole week, mix and match with other items and wear it a differently every day. You might surprise yourself and it will reset the way you think about your clothes.

Recycle and Repurpose

Every year an estimated 300,000 tonnes of used clothing goes to landfill in the UK, so dispose of anything that doesn't fit or flatter in the following sustainable ways...

Donate - good quality clothing to your favourite charity, avoiding landfill and helping a good cause = feel good factor

Clothes Swap - a good excuse for a soiree and you get to go home with a new outfit = win

Recycle - let Clothes Aid collect your unwanted clothes and benefit UK charities. Or locate your nearest Clothing Bank.

Sell - we're over Christmas and onto the Alps - who doesn't need the readies for that extra pair of ski goggles - try a little eBay for the fondue kitty.

Check out the fab Love Your Clothes website for lots of lovely tips on upcycling and make do and mend; salvaging our favourite finds.

Now you've achieved all this you can go right ahead and feel smug until at least March - enjoy.

Keep your peepers open for our new launches coming soon!

Jo