It's all in the Sunglasses

Where would fashion be without eye wear? These days it doesn’t matter if you really need a pair of shades or not. It doesn’t even matter if you don’t really need a pair of prescription glasses to read a book because eye wear is no longer about the need for a pair of glasses any more. On the other hand, the right eye wear has become a must have fashion accessory.

 To the extent that people who don’t really need glasses, sometimes wear them just to project a more professional image. The power of this fashion accessory just cannot be denied. It can jazz up an otherwise ordinary outfit, make heads turn on the street and not surprisingly is the constant companion of celebrities and fashion icons.

It’s ironic that wearing glasses were not always considered cool and hip. In fact for a very long time, glasses per se were associated with old people who were in their prime. The thinking slowly changed, and people who wore glasses were thought of as wise and educated with a love for books. Then in 1929, Sam Forster created the first pair of sunglasses and within one year, the trend of wearing eye wear as protection from the sun caught on.

 American pilots were among the first people to wear sunglasses as eye protection while on duty. In 1936, Ray Ban created the first anti glare aviator sunglasses for pilots fighting in the Second World War. The popularity of sunglasses as a fashion item really caught on in the early sixties and thanks to the hippie era in particular; they became a must have accessory. Celebrities and other icons also wore sunglasses to enhance their fashion statement.

Today the eye wear industry has many well known brands which are in the business of not only merging technology with the best designs, but also enhancing the overall style quotient of the wearer. In fact, many brands showcase upcoming or yet to be unveiled designs at fashion shows. Big names like Chanel, Gucci and Dior often have their models wearing the latest fashion wear with sunglasses to complete the intended look.

Sunglasses are an important accessory in urban wear too.

 It’s not unusual for rap and hip hop artists to flash the latest designer eye wear, or to be in the public eye wearing flashy oversized sunglasses. As with urban wear itself, the idea is to allow each item in the ensemble to stand out on its own. Sunglasses in retro shades and styles, with colorful rims or with designs like polka dots on them are quite common as well.

If you are on the lookout for some cool shades to wear with your streetwear, check out sites like www.yukka.com or www.karmaloop.com. These sites have a good collection of sunglasses featuring different brands as well as unique tints and cool styles. The best way to look fresh each time is to have a few sunglasses that can be mixed and matched with any outfit making you look hot and cool at the same time.

Streetwear Fan Sites

The best way to check out the latest fashion wear or the must have look of the season, is to surf the Internet. Which other source of ready to read information can give you such up to date material on whatever topic you choose? There are many websites which cover streetwear from the graffiti filled streets of New York to the flea markets in Japan. Many of them offer compiled collections of the best urban wear labels, and even have great discounts or bulk offers on their websites. The beauty of the Internet is that there are no boundaries and the choices available for you are limitless. So if you really don’t have the time to shop around in the mall next door, or indulge in some window shopping; just have a chilled glass of your favorite beverage next to you, relax and enjoy visiting these websites.



1. www.asiajam.com- Whoever thinks that streetwear is strictly American or European, probably doesn’t know that streetwear has adapted to local culture and trends throughout many Asian countries. If you want to know what streetwear in Korea, Japan or even Hong Kong looks like; then this is the best website to visit. Great apparel, beanie caps, accessories, bags, shoes and plenty of great deals make this site hugely popular with Asian streetwear fans. There are even different sub sections like ‘ classic streetwear’ or ‘ sleek and chic’ so that you go directly to the collection you want.


2. www.formatmag.com- This website covers the latest and the must know information relating to urban wear and other topics. Art, the best sneakers, latest urban wear designs, street art, tattoo designs and even menswear are just a few of the topics that are worth a read on the site. Catalog collections of various brands and pictures of photography exhibitions can also be viewed. The site does not believe in staying restricted to just one country and features stories from all over the world.


3. www.yukka.co.uk- Find the latest and the best happening brands in urban wear here. Besides fantastic offers, clearance deals and separate collections for men and women, this site has something for everyone. Whether you’re just getting into the groove of urban wear or if you’re a seasoned streetwear fan, this site will certainly have a few surprises for you. While you’re there, check out the blog which talks about latest launches, music and movies. It’s a good way to connect with other yukka fans too.


4. www.highsnobeity.com- This is a must read for die hard streetwear fans. The website is run independently and features streetwear fashion as well as lifestyle and other culture news. If you want to know what’s going to be the next big thing in style, you’re likely to read about it here first. Readers can get the latest news, new product and store launches as well as plenty of other information. Indepth interviews and plenty of other reviews can also be found here. There’s even a newsletter which arrives in your mailbox that fans can subscribe to.

Who Loves Bandanas

You don’t have to spend a lot of money just to look cool or hep. Sometimes, the right accessories can help to accentuate your look and add a dash of appeal as well. One such accessory that can be worn by both men and women is a bandana. A bandana is just a piece of cloth, which is usually square or triangular in shape and worn on the head. Sometimes it can be worn around the neck as a casual scarf as well.

Bandanas were not always considered to be a fashion item, and for many years they were worn to keep the hair in place by farm girls and farmers. Soon, engineers who worked on railroads and men working in construction sites began to wear bandanas as well. It served as an ideal cloth to wipe away sweat and project a neat look. Bandanas actually became a youth accessory when they began to feature in western movies, where dashing young cowboys wore them.

With time, a bandana became more than just a scarf to wear on the head- it began to symbolize one’s identity. Just like the hoodie, bandanas began to be worn by local neighborhood gangs and youngsters sporting one were often thought to be anti social elements. Soon, the bandana became a must have for music artists and rap artists as well. Musicians like 50 cent, Eminem and even Axel Rose have all sported a bandana during their concerts and stage shows.

Bandanas for guys usually come in plain colors or abstract patterns whereas those for girls come in brighter shades. Although bandanas can be bought almost everywhere, if you really want to buy bandanas that are unique, then the best place to begin is the Internet itself. You can either buy a single piece or order a dozen pieces of the same design. www.wholesaleforeveryone.com is a wonderful site to surf if you are looking for bandanas that are out of the ordinary. Various biker, pirate, skulls & crossbones, military and automotive designs are great for those with a flair for adventure.

For the girls, there are various designs available such as nature, paisley, tie& dye as well as religious symbols. There are even cute designs for kids such as bandanas with stars and other kiddy designs guaranteed to match whatever they are wearing. www.coveryourhair.com is another site which is very popular with the girls. They have a good range of pre tied bandanas, which simply need to be worn on the head without tying. Designs in plaid and floral patterns in velvet and lycra can be bought. They also have other bandanas which can make your outfit much more colorful such as bandanas with polka dots, stripes, paisley designs, multi colored stripes, tie and dye as well as camouflage patterns. Their range of triangle shaped bandanas come in plain colors as well as abstract patterns which are ideal for guys to wear. A bandana can also be used to wrap up a gift for a friend or even as a bow on a gift.