FashBlog.com

Everyone who's anyone is wearing them...indoors, outdoors, at the pool, IN the pool. With such an amazing an array of styles, sizes and colors all of us can find 'the' pair if we search long and hard enough. I was curious...what's the history of these things?

When I did some research, I was shocked to learn that they've been around since the 12th century in China, and perhaps even earlier. Rumor has it that Roman Emporer Nero seeded the idea...he liked watching gladiator competitions through gemstones (talk about a pompous ass...sheese). The Chinese used flat polished smoky quartz as lenses, and they were mainly used by judges so that they remained expressionless when questioning witnesses.

A fellow named James Ayscough tinkered with colored lenses back in the 1700's, not for eye protection but because he though tinting them could cure certain vision impairments. It wasn't until the early 1900's that sunglasses took off as eye protection, initially worn by silent movie stars to shield their eyes from the super bright lights of early film studios. They took them off only when they were on camera and rolling. Interesting that we have formed such an association with movie stars and sunglasses...I guess that's why, eh?

In 1929, Sam Foster gave the United States inexpensive, mass-produced sun protection...he called his company Foster Grant and started selling on the NJ Boardwalk. The rest, as they say, is history.

Why do we need them? They protect our eyes from ultraviolet rays, which have been known to cause cataracts and a host of other problems. Some wear them to hide behind when they don't want to be recognized, and they're also worn to hide emotions or drug use. And, of course, they're worn by the blind on occasion, mainly for the comfort of others and not for protection.

In the 1950's, shades began to become quite a fashion statement. Lenses of green, grey or brown are suggested for best use without any color distortion, but they began appearing in pink, red, yellow, purple and a host of other tints. Frames are usually made of nylon, plastic or metal and come in a huge range of sizes and colors. Most popular in the 50's was the Wayfarer model made by Ray-Ban...James Dean wore them, and they're the best selling design so far.

The 1960's brought us Onasssis glasses, giant frames of various colors worn by the first lady. Unfortunately for the rest of us, these horrid things have made quite a comeback and celebrities are wearing them wherever they go. Some think it's a hiding from the paparazzi thing...but it's just yet another trend in my opinion. And I KNOW that in 10 years they'll all be looking at old photos and saying 'christ, what was I THINKING????'.

Also popular in the 60's (and during the 90's hippie resurgence) were Teashades, wire rimmed glasses worn by the counterculture kiddies. They had brightly colored or very dark lenses, most likely to hide their bloodshot eyes. You may call them hippie shades, or Lennon glasses. I must admit I enjoyed wearing these for five minutes or so long ago in a galaxy far far away.

In the 70's and 80's, Aviator style frames were the most popular...thin metal frames with an oversize, teardrop lens. They were created in 1936 for military flyboys, and for some reason the mirrored type became especially popular. With leisure suits. Of polyester. Hold me, I'm scared. Thankfully, these have fallen from favor. As long as there's no Top Gun: the reunion we should be okay.

Prices vary so widely...I prefer the WalMart specials because I either lose mine or sit on them or my child gets ahold of them and promptly pulls of an arm (the shades, not hers). If you're so inclined, you can pay 50, 100 or even several thousand dollars for a pair of your own. For the visually impaired ( I am but I wear contacts, partially so I CAN wear sunglasses. How silly.) your optometrist will happily make you a pair of prescription shades, but switching back and forth seems a little chaotic. Another nice thing about cheapies is that you can find a pair to match your summer outfits, your fall coat, your winter coat, and so on. Or every outfit if you're like Paris Hilton. But don't forget your co-ordinating headband. Yarg.

I love shades, and I even wear mine driving in the fog when the sun is rising facing me. Someday a cop is going to stop me for that, I just know it...but maybe he won't because he'll think that if I'm wearing shades I must be FAMOUS. Mmm hmm.