Now that I’m on a roll with Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2008 collection, I might as well give you some Chanel Eyeglasses to consider getting. Chanel Eyeglasses are a great way, in fact, to break into the brand if you haven’t already. Prescription eyeglasses are not cheap, and it only costs a bit more (well, $100 or so extra) if you want to upgrade from some generic run-of-the-mill perscription brand, to runway-for-your-eyes. This is why you see people wearing Pradas all the time: it’s a cheap way to get the brand!
A friend of mine did this and paid the extra $120 to upgrade to her Chanel Eyeglasses and she loves them. This was about a year ago, and she does not regret it at all (though it took her 2 hours to choose a pair). She was looking for a pair that gave her a sophisticated look, but not too prudish – something that she could wear with most of her clothes and look stylish without becoming a tacky, overly-trendy eyesore. Eventually she settled on a pair of black wire-rimmed squares, with the crossed Cs on the sides. Here’s what’s new from Chanel eye wear this season:
This first pair – what the hell?! Trompe-L’oeil eyebrows. (EYEBROWS!). Definitely for the adventurous only. These will look great with a more artsy look, but I find that most of the new Chanel glasses will. Pair these with a bohemian, vintage-indie style and you’ll be fine. Another option would be to use these to spice up a very sophisticated but bland wardrobe: Imagine wearing a grey suit with minimal accessories… Topped off with a pair of these babies! Oh, and before I continue, it should be noted that all of these accessories come in different colours. If you’re interested, click on the Chanel link at the bottom of the page. =)
Next up, gold-topped glasses. Very, very retro look. I love these ones, but you have to wear them with a really funky sense of style to avoid looking like the stereotypical ‘frumpy librarian’. This pair is great because it goes with so many accessories – as long as they’re gold, royal blue, red, light pink… you get the idea. I need say no more about them: Either you understand them or you don’t.
This pair is for a sophisticated, classy, understated chick (and most similar to the ones my friend bought – but hers were slightly thinner rims and more squared off). She knows what she wants, and that’s a pair of sturdy glasses that will look cute, but won’t age, and will go with all of her clothes. These I recommend if you’re a first-time buyer, or someone with a very centred, mainstream sense of style.
Minimalist. That’s all I can say about the front of these. When you turn them to the side, however, they have the signature Goatskin-on-Metal Chanel Weave! That’s pretty cool. It’s executed in a way that keeps it very up-to-date, this look isn’t retro at all. Good for a girl who needs a functional pair of classes that stay out of her way, and don’t steal too much attention away from the rest of her look. Subtle, classy, understated, elegant.
Whoa … Funky! If I were a girl, I would be wearing these. Yes, in the red colour and everything!!! I know these look a little bit more like the classic Prada glasses (although those ones are in black) but hey .. These ones come in RED (and other colours as well that I don’t enjoy quite as much)! Either way, if you’ve got a Chanel bag then these are gonna complete your look much better than slapping on a pair of Pradas – if you wear too many different name brand accessories (aka. eyeglasses, bags, etc) you will look like a brand whore. If you stick to one brand per outfit, you’ll do just fine under the eyes of even a critical fashionista. Anyway, these are my all-around faves.
This last pair, I chose to show in the turtle-shell colour because, well, that’s what they look best in. Turtle-shell is getting to be overdone, but if you wear the right colours (browns and greens) you will work them well. Notice the sides on these are quilted: I find it tacky, but to each his own, right? As long as your bag isn’t quilted, too… (awkwarddd)… Then you can wear these and the quilted pattern is acceptable.
I know I didn’t give a full range of colour here so I’ll leave it to you all to check out Chanel yourselves and see: www.chanel.com . Oh, and one last thing: Keep in mind you’re going to be (ostensibly) wearing your prescription glasses for quite a while. Especially if you’re getting the brand name ones … So don’t do anything overly trendy. Unless you’ve got money … Don’t choose rash, without the cash! Over and out!
-FH.