Ace of Shades

Sunshades and I have a relationship in the style of a one-night stand. All plans to accommodate one have been perished as I am promised to a pair of Grita-framed lenses, by prescription. However, I do have a five-stud card trick to ace that wade in the shades.

Stud #1: Look out for the sun shades that complement your features. Oval sunnies are best on round faces because they accentuate the curves of the face and cheekbones. Square and narrow shades are good on square faces but round sun shades enjoy more patronage, especially the ones with heavy frames. I learnt this the hard way. If you have a small chin, aviator shades will go well because they are keep your small facial features, cheek bones, chin et al, in proportion and not making them look smaller than they already are.

Stud #2: Sun shades were made with the goal of protecting the eyes from harmful sun rays in mind. The difference between knock-up sunshades and authentic designer shades is that the authentic designer shades are offer ultraviolet (UV) protection besides being more durable and, need I say it, expensive. However, you can barely tell the difference between the two when you wear it out to an occasion. A fellow attendee catches a glimpse of the Gucci inscription on the frame and gives an exultant, "Oo-la-la!" and you think, for once, a cheap copy has a place in this frugal fashionista’s bag of tricks. Let us sound a note of caveat, however: it would serve well to have at least one authentic pair of designer sunnies, if for any reason, to give your wardrobe a lift.

Stud #3: Now that you have the shades, all that is left is how you wear it. An accessory as simple and common as sunshades affords some convenience but could quite as conveniently twist glam to sham if worn nonchalantly. Look in the mirror when trying out your shades with your custom, experiment with many styles till you find the one that you find comfortable and esteem-boosting. You’ve got long hair? Try using your shades as a head band. You want to waltz up and down an imaginary red carpet at that occasion with a celebrity’s air of divinely anointed glamour, be confident in your style.

Stud #4: People have asked me about "shades in shades" – the habit of wearing shades indoors. There are no written rules as to when or where to not wear them but there are unwritten rules. It is considered rude to wear shades indoors or more specifically when talking to people. You don’t exactly score on your communication skills when speaking with someone while wearing a pair of sunnies with a five-figure price tag on it – it plainly says, speak to my shades! However, when you are in a public place, a night club, for example, and you’re not giving or expected to give anyone attention, the level of personal interaction swings from shallow to free-for-all and the skill that matters most here, are your dancing skills. So, once again, be conscious of your environment so you know if or not to keep the shades on.

Stud #5: Feel good in them. The basic ingredient for a perfect style is confidence. Accessories only complement the appeal of your swagger. Where you make them the focal point of your style, they turn against you to betray your folly and then you are left standing or striding past a panel of Idol judges, at table three, some wishful Simon Cowells spoiling for a disapproving scowl, "That was terrible."

We go to weddings generally and genuinely to felicitate with the celebrants, the happy couple. It also happens to be a chance opportunity to celebrate you and your glowing self-confidence. Shades are a glitterati’s best friend and you ace it when they can exemplify this quality in you otherwise avoid them like they were a shady business.

By Sochi A.

Written by Sugar Weddings