Each type of performance-enhancing sunglasses on the market is designed with a specific sport in mind. For example, Rudy Project is the perfect designer brand for high quality, performance-enhancing sunglasses to enhance shooting. The Israeli military even uses Rudy Project eyewear in its sniper units, that’s how perfect they are for that specific spot. Take them outside of the shooting range and their usefulness begins to dwindle. You can use them for driving, or for day to day use, but they real features (and what you pay the big money for) are their ability to increase contrast thus enabling you to see your target in more depth. But, every type of sporting eyewear has the same issue. They are designed with only one sport in mind. For most people this isn’t an issue as they simply buy the eyewear that best suits their athletic choice, but for triathlons or other multi-event athletics there should be an pair of sunglasses that can do it all.

For biking and running, no one comes close to Nike. They excel at being both brand-specific and functional, making them one of the most prevalent performance-enhancing sunglasses on the market for professional and armature athletes alike. You’ll often find a basketball court full of people practicing or just shooting hoops. If they are anywhere near serious about their skills they’ll understand the importance of eyewear on the court, and they’ll most likely have Nike or Adidas sunglasses.

Whatever your sport, keep in mind that there is a perfect pair of sunglasses on the market for you. From driving, to golf to running and cycling to shooting or hunting, you’ll find something that works for you and really does enhance your performance.

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Tom Ford sunglasses have always been iconic, but this summer their resurgence into pop culture, especially with the Hollywood and Milan elites, has been surprising. Celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston—A listers both, are hardly caught without them these days. B-list celebs are taking the cue and enjoying minor mentions in the fashion magazines as a result. No minor celebrity is taking the chance of not having a pair of classic Tom Ford sunnies in their wardrobe this summer.

Simplicity was the key. Tom Ford kept a series of traditional designs and built off of these designs with only minor alterations over the years. Essentially, the Tom Ford sunglasses that are popular today are not unlike the Tom Ford craze ten years ago. The minor difference is in the color options, and a bit more frill in the more recent designs than in earlier versions.

In a complex time like this, with the global recession, several ongoing wars, and a pile of recent celebrity deaths, the fashion world has turned toward the tried and true rather than extreme innovation. Perhaps the fashion industry finds solace in a return to nostalgic fashions like clean, clear lines and simple color schemes complimented by minor upgrades or adjustments.

So, with all the summer hype over Tom Ford sunglasses, the real question is if you should be buying a pair, or holding out for a new trend. There are two ways of addressing that fashion question. On the one hand you don’t want to appear to be a mere follower of fashion. On the other hand, to miss a massive trend like this could signal that you are out of touch with the flow of the industry. Really, that choice is up to you.

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Summer fashion trending in Australia is almost impossible. Especially in the eyewear industry. Aussies have such a diverse and beautiful compellation of styles and fashions that it makes any people watcher entertained for days on end. However, some of the recent styles emerging in Australia this summer include a fixation (and rightly so) on Jimmy Choo, whose amazing shoes inspired women around the world to take a look at his other accessory collections. His eyewear, especially sunglasses, are traditional and bold, and compliment most business and casual wardrobes.

Versace has also made a comeback in Australia, especially in Sydney. Once labeled as a bit contrived, Versace has remade their image to be more versatile, with newer designs that include more casual looks. Additionally, Versace has spent thousands remarketing their brand to be more likable and less prestigious in the stuck-up manner. This can only bode well for Versace’s future in Australia.

Prada once had a very similar problem. The designs were seen as snooty, the brand was overly priced and people found it hard to relate to the Prada message. In recent years, Prada has launched a cheaper, youthful brand called MiuMiu which has done well for a new brand. They also allowed their brand to be the focus of the film ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ which helped to mock the image of a fashion elite.

For summer, the lighter looks are always more in style, including frameless or single lens sunglasses that are airy, crisp and provide good protection.

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Police sunglasses are decidedly a men’s fashion statement. With huge names in their male advertising scheme like Antonio Bandaras, George Clooney and Justin Timberlake, it’s no wonder men are flocking to these attractive, sleek and modern designs. But what about women? Can and should women wear men’s eyewear designs?

Many men choose Police sunglasses not for their massively sucesfull and alluring ad campaigns, but because Police sunglasses are designer style without being cheeky or covered in bright colors or oversized logos. For the most part, men’s fashion excels at understating the obvious and playing up simplicity to the point of perfection. Police sunglasses have mastered the art of casual seduction with their latest men’s line, but should women attempt to make the look work for them?

There are two primary concerns regarding women wearing men’s designs. First, the frames are slightly bigger allowing for larger male heads (most women reading this are, naturally, thinking of a male they know with a big ego after that last statement). Because women have thinner and smaller heads, the men’s sunglasses might not fit comfortably or stably. Additionally, men’s eyes will be ever so slightly further apart so the gap between the lenses will be slightly bigger. For smaller women, this may make them unwearble. So, before you buy your men’s sunglasses for yourself, ladies, try on a few pairs to make sure they fit comfortably and that sunlight does not stream in around the lenses (defeating the point of having sunglasses in the first place).

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For the penny pinchers among us, the best option is to buy high-quality goods that last rather than buying cheap crap that breaks, gets lost because you don’t cherish it, or never quite sits comfortably. It takes a long time to learn a hard lesson, and for most people who watch their wallets, it is a lesson that cannot come soon enough. If you want a pair of designer sunglasses, spend some time researching your options so you find the sunglasses you’ve always wanted. Buy them, whether they be Ray Ban, Rudy Project or Oakley. If you spend your hard-earned cash on something you really want you’ll find you take better care of it, you’ll not easily misplace them, and they’ll make you happy on a very small, but very consistent level.

Another way to optimize with your limited funds is to search for a look that is versatile and spans the seasons. For example, a classy pair of Ray Bans can be extremely versatile. They look great in the fall, they offer great coverage in the winter against glare from snow and ice. In the spring, they easily repel water and in the summer they offer width of protection and a classy look.

If you plan to save money somewhere, the only way to do it is to limit what you buy, buy high-quality goods, and take care of your versatile and expensive accessories. If you really want to save a bit more, one option is to buy vintage clothing and spend your money on accessories that compliment your look.

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Green eyes are the rarest eye color on the planet, and yet one of the most desirable and attractive colors. More and more people are getting green eyes via tinted contact lenses, like those by Bausch & Lomb, but for natural green eyes, you can expect lighter skin with red or blonde hair. Finding sunglasses that look good on a red head is not an easy feat. Here are a few tips to help the green-eyed beauties out there.

For red hair, you’ll want to do one of two things with your designer sunglasses options. For the eccentric and creative red heads, perhaps a nice pair of Alexander McQueen or Ed Hardy sunglasses would draw attention to your eyes so that when you do lower your shades the green emerald eyes beneath will stand out like a single tree on a prairie hill. This method is bold and creative, and for folks with red hair that is out of control wild perhaps it might draw too much attention to your head. For soft, gentle red heads this method, however, is perfect.

On the inverse, nothing can be more alluring than simplicity. A traditional pair of brown or copper-tinted sunglasses like those by Police (for men) or Bolle (for women) offer a slight bit of contract and really accent the green eyes beneath the sunnies. The simple approach is far more high brow, but can be played down with bright colored clothing or a fun hat.

Finally, to keep your green eyes looking bold, outline them in copper or brown shades of shadow and liner to make them really pop. If you wear contact lenses, a slight green enhancer in your lenses could really boost your color and give your whole look added pizzazz.

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Carrera. These are, of course, always in style. But more recently Carrera shades have made it off the beaches and into cinema. You can see these shades, and similar ones, in such films as Iron Man, they have adapted from purely surfer’s wear to a chic urban option as well. (Paris Hilton seen in Carrera in image).

Emporio Armani. Always hot, Armani has made a splash this summer with their 2010 line. Not always the classy black shades you imagine, Armani has something for every style fanatic, and the diversity of the new line is a firm step in the right direction for Armani.

Versace. For women, there are very few designers more aware of the female form, or more focused on enhancing natural beauty with fashion. For the true diva, Versace has always been a top choice, this summer is no different.

Jimmy Choo. For the urban elite, Jimmy Choo has managed to steal some of the limelight only Prada used to enjoy. His shoe, purse and eyewear designs are legendary, bold and in high demand. Expect to see a lot of Jimmy Choo in the coming months.

Chloe. Always feminine, always cute. These summer shades are ideal for beach time, casual relaxing with friends or a first date. The designs are adorable, and because they are designed for women, they don’t overly crowd the face.

Bvlgari. For elegance, charm and simplicity, there is nothing more stable than Bvlgari for a nice yacht ride, a long summer drive, or even an elegant trip to the race track. The women’s line is simple and yet elegant while the men’s line infuses masculinity and rustic grace into a final product that is definitely lust worthy.

MiuMiu. Only an offshoot of Prada could have earned such fame and renown in such a short amount of time. MiuMiu is incredibly popular with a younger, more vibrant crowd of urban and rural dwellers. The simple designs of Prada have been infused with color and spunk.

Rudy Project. For men, especially serious athletes, military fanatics or sports fans, there is nothing on the market better than Rudy Project. The Israeli military even uses them in their sniper division! Pro athletes from around the globe adore them, and they are sure to be around for quite a while.

Marc Jacobs. The simple and yet memorable designs of Marc Jacobs have always been popular. This summer we expect to see more men then women following the Jacobs trend. The simple sophistication they offer is perfect for the workplace or business as well as casual sport.

Spy. A classical newbie to the summer hot list, these sunnies are a charming new favorite and we’re excited to see what new designs they produce this fall.

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What is scarier than a mad scientist with round eyeglasses and plastic gloves that extend past his elbows? Answer—nothing. For most villains and cinematic bas asses, glasses are simply an essential part of the bad ass wardrobe.

To get the bad ass look Matt Damon has here (image) you can pick up a tastefully similar pair of Oliver People eyeglasses. You’ll recall that Larry David from Curb Your Enthusiasm wears a very similar (and sinister) pair of round glasses throughout his HBO series.

To get the look of Antonio Bandaras in almost every film he stars in (other then Zoro, that is) you can pick up a pair of sexy Police sunglasses. Or, and he wore a similar pair in Spy Kids, Ralph Lauren eyeglasses in gold frames. What could be sexier than a Latin lover who is also intelligent, adventurous and has a designer wardrobe? Answer—again, nothing.

What about George Clooney, whose recent starring role in Up in the Air gave middle aged men hope for their romantic futures as well as a shameless look at the world of mid-range executives. His sunglasses are always classy, gold or brown tinting, and simple. Think Serengeti or Ray Ban, though I’m partial to the more adventurous look of Serengeti’s gentle gold tinting and gradient lens hues.

Finally, the ultimate box office bad ass recently was Iron Man, whose star- Robert Downey Jr., has long been in love with designer eyewear. You’ll find him in several custom designs that you can find similarly in the designer world for less than having them hand-crafted for you in Milan. Carrera is particularly good at making bad ass designs that could make even the cuddliest of men look like a superhero’s alter ego.

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For summer, there are few designs more perfectly suited for both the city and the outback than Serengeti. These sunnies are perfect for any warm climate and offer great protection with casual style at an affordable price. Need more reasons to love Serengeti?—Here are just a few to get you started.

1. Serengeti sunnies have perfectly tinted lenses in a soft brown/orange hue that actually works to increase visual contrast and cut down on peripheral glare. The hue is also visually attractive on almost every skin color as a casual and yet coordinated color that has an overall adventurous and calculated look that can match any outfit.

2. Serengeti frames are made from sturdy, high-quality materials that make them suitable for the great outdoors as well as the cement jungle of city life. With a dynamic lens hue and beautifully accented frame colors, you’ll have a great looking set of sunnies that are top quality and long lasting.

3. Serengeti sunglasses are perfect for a broad range of sports and hobbies, including driving, shooting, biking, hiking and day-to-day urban use. Because of the wonderfully and expertly tinted lenses, Serengeti sunglasses are especially popular in the driving world, both for casual drives and for professional and stunt drivers. For driving, you really want light weight, tan or orange tinted sunglasses that block glare and decrease the shock from reflected light (headlights, for example).

4. Serengeti sunglasses have a prestige to them similar to Ray Ban in that a very distinct class of people wear them. Yachting, driving, and golf are just some of the sports and life-styles that are in love with Serengeti sunglasses.

5. For designer sunglasses, Serengeti are surprisingly affordable. And this is especially cool since they are frames most commonly worn by the upper crust and those obsessed with sporting and hobbies.

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Lindsey Lohan in there Dior sunglasses is a great example of a celebrity who has found the perfect look for her face shape and color. Though she wore this getup while appearing before a judge recently on several charges, she still managed to look professional, crisp, clean and most importantly—not like a menace to society! She makes these old-fashioned, throw-back frames look extremely modern, chic and cool. Thanks Lindsey Lohan for giving a nod at fashion the correct way. For a bit more ‘out-there’ coolness, take a look at Elton John’s sunglass-wearing career. From strange piano and sunglasses album covers to random appearances in public and on stage in cool sunnies, he never failed to entertain and impress with his cool eyewear fashion. In the same vein, Bono, from U2, is pretty much famous for his red sunnies. He started wearing them early in his career as a way to block some of the stage glare, and they clung to him like part of his personality.

Finally, an example of someone who makes sunnies look uncool, and completely horrible. You may know and love Lady Gaga, but I’m certainly no fan. While she claims she is rejecting the way our society sees women by dressing and acting in an homogenous way, I think she dresses and acts however she wants and then hires a superstar publicist to come up with rationalizations after the fact. She appeared on Larry King Live on the 1st of June in the most ridiculous sunglasses imaginable. They made her head look like a science experiment. They were simple, round black frames and lenses that blocked her entire face. Whereas Elton John made silly sunglasses fun and cool, Lady Gaga is making them inaccessible and awkward.

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