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• June 27, 2008
• The Goods

R.I.P. Wayfarer: New Vintage Shades That We Like

By Nicole Schlomann

Wayfarers are dead to us. Sad but true. In fact, if we see another person cruising lower Broadway in a pair of red, white, or blue Wayfarers, we just might get smacky. Black Bans get a pass, but only barely. But it is summer after all, hence we thought it fitting to find some other shades that will inevitably be tossed out of our arsenal in a few months time. Thankfully, our friends at Blackbird have heralded the revival of famed '80s bridge-and-tunnel brand Vuarnet. The line was noted for their quality mineral lenses, which shielded the sun's glare from skiers' peepers. After a quick snoop, we see that the guys at Blackbird are officially on to something: eBay's Vuarnets are already racking up bids, big time.

Other vintage brands like Bolle and Revo, also well known in their prime for lens technology and sporty features, are currently top on our list. Jordan Silver, optical guru and owner of vintage frame mecca Silver Lining Opticians in SoHo agrees. "Vuarnet and Bolle are making a comeback. These are different than other vintage brands because these focused on lens quality rather than frame design," he says. "These are sporty frames and have lenses that are designed to enhance your vision." Bolle and Revo styles feature metal-rimmed specs, while another vintage label, Persol, can be found online in an array of shapes and colors, characterized by sturdy, chunky frames.


Other long-lost brands Silver favors are Serengeti and Maui Jim. Serengeti's frames are handmade and feature glass lenses designed for driving and changing light conditions. Silver recommends the Maui Jim specs as a fun alternative to more sophisticated styles. "These are affordable sporty models that take their design direction from more fashionable brands," he says. We say, get 'em while they're hot—and as the Wayfarer proved, that ain't forever.

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