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

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

sun safe this summer

It’s official summer’s here! Sun drenched afternoons spent languishing in gardens and on beaches are what we live for with their mood boosting, vitamin D injecting loveliness.

This month we’re celebrating International Sunglasses Day (27 June) and the importance of wearing sunglasses to protect our eyes. Jump on board and show us your best #SunglassSelfie

sun safe skin

Too much sun is the main cause of both skin cancer and skin ageing. In the UK, almost 9 in 10 cases of melanoma could be prevented by enjoying sun safely.

Here in the UK the sun’s UV rays are the strongest between 11am and 3pm 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 a lot more 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. Hats are your friend - I don’t leave home without my trusty cap for full face protection.

screen your skin

It’s time to take a fresh look at our sunscreen. 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 to your skin.

by Jakob Owens

We need to consider how ocean safe our sunscreen is too. The 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. 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.

Shade those eyes

The sun's ultraviolet light and exposure to 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!

By Aral Tasher

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 your lenses, it's the percentage of UV protection that matters, so you can go for that pale tint as long as you go for 100% UV. Oversized or wraparound sunglasses block the most sun, especially when those rays are bouncing off sand and sea. 

good Summer habits

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. Burn now and pay later, so stay sun safe this summer.

Check out our range of 100% UV protected sunnies and get ready to turn up the heat.

Jo

Summertime Shine

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