The history of sunglasses
Take a trip down memory lane and check out the history of sunglasses as we celebrate International Sunglasses Day
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
Spring (sunglasses) have Sprung
It’s official, throw open the windows and let Spring in. Taking care of your skin and yourself this Spring…
Blooms by Veri Ivanova on Unsplash
It's official! Throw off your cardigans and throw open the windows. Blooms are abundant and so it's time to move things alfresco.
Spring is the season to start afresh. Get outside and get amongst nature; the extra daylight gives our senses a natural boost and the blue skies and warm air are sure to put a spring in our step.
It's also the perfect time to make changes and shake things up wardrobe wise. We've gone dotty about spots, flora + fauna and upcycling denim wherever we can.
Photo by Sarandy Westfall on Unsplash
We'll also be taking extra care of our skin with the help of BADs Sun Awareness Week raising awareness of skin cancer from sun damage with their 'Don't Bake' Bake campaign. Scarily skin cancer is the UKs most common form of cancer and worryingly 1 in 3 of us are still getting burnt by the sun!
Rates of melanoma in the UK have quadrupled since the 1970s. Over 15,000 new cases occur every year in the UK. So slap on the sunscreen peeps, pop on your sunnies and stay safe in the sun.
Photo by Jared Rice on Unsplash
We can bespoke any of our vintage eyewear into sunnies, just in time for the next heatwave...
Metallics are having a moment for Spring/Summer, we're loving the recent influx of delicate metal frames in every shade of spring - think cornflower blues and mint greens.
Frames with botanical inspired patterns are also topping our lust list.
Ivy
Summertime Shine
Summer's here and we're all livin' easy; whether exploring our beautiful Isles or jetting off to far flung shores. But it's not all palm trees and pineapples - we're talking sun protection...
Summertime and we're all livin easy; whether exploring our beautiful Isles or jetting off to far flung shores. But it's not all palm trees and pineapples - we're talking sun protection and here's the lowdown from Peep before you go...
Use your threads
We're big fans of the straw hat, the bigger the better. They do a great job protecting our vulnerable areas; face, neck and ears. Steer clear of wet t-shirt competitions - they offer nothing in the way of protection or a place in modern society.
Loosely woven fabrics and light colours also offer little protection, so pass the sunscreen!
Eye Eye
In our glorious summer months, radiation is three times greater than in winter. The sun's ultraviolet light and exposure to UV radiation is linked to some serious eye conditions... cataracts, macular degeneration, photokeratitis (corneal sunburn), and growths on the eye... ouch!
Protect your peepers by investing in quality sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB radiation. Over 90% of UV can pass through even light cloud - so don't leave home without them.
It's not the colour of the lenses, it's the percentage of UV protection that matters. Go for 100% every time. Oversized or wraparound sunglasses block the most sun, especially when those rays are bouncing off sand and sea.
Save Face
OK here's the science...
The two types of ultraviolet we know so well, UVA and UVB, both cause misery - UVA skin ageing and UVB causes sunburn and skin cancer. Mother nature takes care of UVC for us. UVA rays damage DNA and cause skin ageing - wrinkles, collagen damage and liver spots... say what?
There's also the new kid on the block. IRA rays. These InfraRed rays may penetrate skin more deeply generating free radicals and causing mayhem... still with me?
Solution: choose a broad spectrum, high protection SPF with UVA 4* or 5* protection, one with antioxidants if you're feeling fancy. Apply liberally 15-30 mins before venturing out and reapply every 2 hours, especially after hitting the pool.
Don't leave your suncream baking 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... now.
Don't panic! You'll still tan with SPF 30+ product. Yes it takes longer, but bonus, your tan lasts longer and you'll be saving your skin.
Never let your skin burn - it's not the 80s - we all know better. Everyone's skin offers different levels of protection from the sun - if you're pale skinned you're more at risk. Out with the baby oil and in with factor 50!
Seek out shade
Step out of the sun before you start to lobster - turning palest pink is a warning. Eleven until three pm is the danger zone when the sun is strongest - we recommend long lazy lunches under canopy.
Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate
Keep well hydrated, as the temperature soars, it's easy to dehydrate and be left a little limp. Up the anti and add cucumber, mint, citrus and fruity ice cubes to water, or snack on strawberries, cucumber and melon to keep cool.
All Peep sunglasses give 100% UVA & UVB protection enhancing sun protection and reducing glare, to make the most of our beloved summer days.
School's out for summer kids... Enjoy!
Jo
Go big or go home
We can thank the fabulous Jackie O for putting oversized sunglasses on the fashion map and we simply can't get enough of supersized sunnies...
We can thank the fabulous Jackie O for putting oversized sunglasses on the fashion map and we can't get enough.
Thing is, they do a pretty perfect job of keeping the sun's rays out of our peepers due to their glorious size - we love a multi-tasker... make a statement and shield our eyes, what's not to love?
All things 70s are firmly back in favour and it's got our vote - from Biba to Halston to the sublime Bianca Jagger, incorporating hippy chic to glam rock and disco. Translation for 2017 means modern metallics, high waists, pattern mania, fringing and of course our beloved bell bottoms... you know you want to.
Our version takes inspiration from two of our favourite Carries - Bradshaw and Fisher, strong independant women, 'carrie-ing' off a strong statement eye, 70s style, take a peep below.
Up the volume with original vintage 70s oversize sunglasses by Polaroid, a french made acetate frame with smokey grey and blush tones. We've added sparkly new, grey blue graduated tinted lenses, with anti reflection coating for a little added UV protection.
So if you're looking for a little drama, in your closet not your life, you came to the right place.
Jo
here comes the sun... doo doo doo doo
Nothing feels better than the sun on our skin... but in our eyes? With warmer, brighter days peeping through it's time to consider our eyewear - is it up to scratch? Is it full of scratches? Is it protecting our peepers?...
Nothing feels better than the sun on our skin... but in our eyes?
Marc Johns
With warmer, brighter days peeping through, it's time to consider our eyewear. Is it up to scratch? Is it full of scratches? Is it protecting our peepers?
The sun's ultraviolet light and exposure to UV radiation is linked to cataracts, skin cancer and growths on the eye. In those glorious summer months, radiation is three times greater than in winter - yikes!
We're all lathering on the factor 50 and then leaving our shades on the windowsill, leaving our eyes to the mercy of the sun's harsh rays.
Quality eyewear is the only way to roll - protecting your peepers by investing in sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB radiation. The colour of the lenses doesn't matter - the percentage of UV protection does!
Make sure you go for 100% every time. Oversized or wraparound frames block the most sun from all angles and let's face it who doesn't love an oversize frame?
If you're already a vintage lover make sure your lenses are up to the job - if they're over 30 years old, they may offer no UV protection at all or wear and tear might mean they don't offer enough. You can get this checked at an Opticians or bring them bang up to date and have them re-glazed.
Wearing sunglasses without UV protection is worse than not wearing any at all - the pupils relax and let in all that nasty unfiltered radiation, resulting in scorched eyes - no one can carry that look off #ProtectYourPeepers
Don't panic - just give us a shout and we can bring your beloved shades back to life with our re-glazing and polishing service. Talk to us about Polarising if you want to go the extra mile.
All peep sunglasses give 100% UVA & UVB protection and we've popped a special anti reflection coating on the back, enhancing your sun protection and reducing glare on those lazy hazy summer days.
Here comes the sun and I say it's alright.
Now where did I leave my pina colada?
Jo
we love...