Summer is on our doorstep!

That means it’s time to pack away those wooly-jackets, smear on that sunscreen and most importantly…find some killer hot sunglasses for the season.

I have actually been in the market for a new pair of shades for a few months now, which invariably meant that I did quite a bit of research. In the end I whittled a huge variety of men’s sunglasses down to a very short list indeed.

Here are my ‘Top 5 sunglasses of 2011’

First up we have Oakley, who actually released their South African 2011 sunglasses collection back in February. I have to say I was rather impressed with the new range. However the style that stood ‘heads and shoulders’ above the rest was without doubt the Oakley Jury. Those of you who are familiar with Oakley shapes will perhaps remember the Pit Boss style, which I consider to be a much more aggressive ‘troubled older cousin’ of the Jury. This is exactly why I prefer the Jury to the Pit Boss. While the Pit Boss turns even the most ‘calm faced’ individual into an evil looking entity, the Jury has a slightly less aggressive edge, but which also looks sleek and stylish…plus you won’t scare off the ladies or make little kids cry.  The Oakley Jury style is a middle-point between the aggressive Pit Boss and the mega docile, almost emotionless chunkyness of the GasCan model.
These are super SUPER HOT!

Next up we have my top choice from sunglasses guru Ray-Ban. No Aviators I promise!
My number one Ray-Ban style for 2011 has to be the ClubMaster.
Ok, so this is very different from my usual choice in sunnies, but I just can’t seem to get enough of these awesome Ray-Ban’s. Usually gold trimmings in sunglasses send me running for the hills, but in this case the ‘bling’ has been kept to a survivable level and really gives the Club Master a nice accent of interest. For the more adventurous ‘colourful character’ there is also the ClubMaster violet-fuchsia-azure-pink striped version, which, if Dame Edna was less of a ‘woman’…would definitely wear!
For an alternative to these shades you could always try the Paul Smith Romiley variation (just outside my Top 5).
While I did joke about the iconic Aviator style earlier there is no doubting their massive appeal and popularity. When I attended the Rocking the Daisies 2011 music festival a few weeks ago I was blown away at how many people where wearing Aviators. Obviously the majority were cheap ‘knock-offs’, but the proof of the styles popularity was definitely in the pudding.

Adidas is a brand I usually associate with quality footwear and funky sporting wear. This year saw me become one of the many thousands of Adidas sunnies converts around the globe. I spotted the Adidas TERREX FAST model sunglasses on their homepage and was instantly enthralled. These sci-fi ‘fly style’ sunglasses sucked me in immediately and I knew that these were going to appear on my short-list. The white/green/black model is very slick and I think typifies the TERREX FAST model the most appropriately. If I had to buy a pair I would be hard-pressed to choose between the white and the ‘full black’ version…which looks very shnazzy indeed, much more “angry”….growl!
Their best feature are the Adidas LST (Light Stabilizing Technology) lenses, which deals with fluctuations in extreme light and glare, which prevents “rapid eye fatigue”. This is really great for sportsmen….or when you are stumbling around outdoor summer trance parties, hahaha.

Persol is a brand that I am truthfully not overly familiar with. The sunglasses that really caught my interest are the re-launch of one of their most classic styles, the Steve McQueen.
If you are a fan of old school movie ‘badasses’, chances are you will be familiar with Steve McQueen.
Often hailed as “The King of Cool”, this iconic actor has always been synonymous with style. Which is very fitting considering Persol is often looked upon in the same way in terms of stylish sunglasses. This is a limited edition release with only 10 000 being available worldwide. So – if you are as keen on these sunnies as I am, I suggest you pounce while they are still available…they won’t be for much longer. The black frame version is my favourite of the lot, but if you wanna go the original Steve McQueen route you should probably go for one of the Havanna style….both are insanely radical!

My final ‘Top 5 sunglasses of 2011’ selection goes to a brand that I first picked up on because of their insanely cool men’s boots, John Varvatos. Ok, so I must warn you, this particular brand is on the expensive side….their online store reckons that they cost $250, which should work out to around R1750, but I’m almost certain you will end up paying waaaay more than that in deep dark Africa. Earlier in this post I mentioned the iconic Aviator style from Ray-Ban. These are one of the few brands that have taken the Aviator style, modified it, and made it their own. John Varvatos’ Modified Aviators have a super cool acetate bar and a mega comfortable nose piece. These puppies are made in Japan, so chances are the quality of the product is high. The brown version of this model is certainly my favourite. The John Varvatos Modified Aviator has a clean retro vibe, which is so freaking sexy and gives a high-class look, whilst still exuding an aura of freedom/playfulness.
 
Choosing a new pair of sunglasses for Summer 2011 is going to be difficult.
Considering at the moment that I wear a pair of Oakley Frank Kozic Artist Series HIJINX, it will be difficult to 'move away' when I already know just how brilliant the Oakley HDO lenses are!

Which of these 5 of your favourite’s guys? Do you feel like I have left out a style that HAS TO BE INCLUDED in my Top 5 sunglasses of 2011?
I would love to hear your opinions J

Also before I get slapped, the sunglasses I have chosen here are mostly for the guys…because, well, I am one J
 I will have to do some proper research to give you the same list for the ladies…I’m on it!

PRICES:

Oakley Jury - $190
Ray-Ban CLUBMASTER - $145
Adidas TERREX FAST - $280
Persol Steve McQueen - $280
John Varvatos Modified Aviators - $250

Protect those eyes boys and girls.
Do it right and with serious style!

D