For my 21st birthday, my parents gave me lasik eye surgery.
I wanted a boob job. Fixing my eyes was a more practical investment. Not to mention sanctioned by my folks. So under the red laser I went.
I have told many, many people since about the wonders of the lasik eye surgery. It is nothing short of a miracle. It is as if Jesus himself descended upon me and healed my eyes.
An unfortunate side effect of this surgery, however, is that it makes me super light-sensitive. So I have to wear sunglasses every day, almost every time I step outside. Fairly soon afterwards this meant I had to ditch the drugstore sunglasses in place of something cuter and longer lasting. It just wouldn't do to keep losing and breaking something that was so vital to my day.
Over the years I've had maybe five pairs of very nice sunglasses. I buy a new pair every couple of years, which, even though they're expensive, is worth it to me in the long run when I'm able to keep them that long.
I've learned a few things about expensive sunglasses over this time and the number one thing I've learned is this: Plastic sunglasses are better.
The wire rimmed are cute. Chic. Very Hollywood. But none of my wire-rimmed glasses have held up as well as the trusty plastic ones.
The worst have been these from Gucci. I love the way they look. I'm a big sunglasses person, and these are big. But they've broken in about three ways. They've lost their side screws, they've lost their nose pads, and recently one of the lens just plumb fell out. We're done with the Gucci glasses.
Whereas the two black plastic pair I've had (Prada and Chanel, respectively) have held up great.
I'll probably keep a wire-rimmed pair in my general arsenal, but I won't spend much money on them. For major sunglasses purchases, plastic is best.
A few tips if you're thinking about dropping some cash on sunglasses:
1. Don't wear them on your head. I never, never wear sunglasses on top of my head. My big 'ole noggin stretches them out and makes them slide down my face. There is nothing more annoying.
2. Go for classic shapes and colors. (This seems contradictory, as my latest pair mentioned above were pretty trendy. But look! They fell apart.) I like black or gray or brown for plastic, silver or gold for wire-rimmed. If you're dying for hot pink square frames, head to Forever XII.
3. Use the case. I have a horrible habit of just tossing them in my bad. That's why most of mine have little scratches on the lens. I would never be so casual with fancy shoes or jewelry, I don't know why I do this with sunglasses.
4. Take advantage of the free cleaning and tightening services at most retailers. Sunglass Hut and Solstice both have these policies. Use them.
Do you invest in nice sunglasses or are you the kind to pick some up at the gas station as you're headed to the lake?
