From Light to Dark

Light responsive lenses by Transitions Optical UK (gift) | Shirt by Albam (gift) | Jeans by COS (gift) | Trainers by Converse (gift by size?) | Cap by Brooks Brothers | Socks by MHL | Watch by Void Watches

Paid partnership with Transitions Optical UK

Back in the days when I was in short trousers - and we're talking late 80s / early 90s here - we were lucky enough to take our summer holidays in Orlando. Me, my Mum, Grandparents and my older brother and sister would pack our bumbags, lace up our rather ugly matching Airwalk trainers and don our colourful Disney baseball caps, in prep for two weeks of mega times in the Sunshine State.

And when I think about it now, not much has changed; we still live in the same seaside town as we grew up in, we still head to Orlando every now and again with the family, and we still all enjoy a good ugly trainer. Memories of my family wearing light sensitive glasses spring to mind when thinking back to those trips in Florida – they both took to wearing them in the early 90s, due to perpetual sunny days out at theme parks and lazy days by the pool. It’s quite a nice feeling to think that three generations of our family have been linked by something as simple as these lenses.

When you combine the craft of Transitions lenses and the design credentials of London's own spectacle maker Cubitts, the outcome is a modern, discreet design, good for any occasion.

These reactive lenses are UV sensitive, meaning they look just like regular optical glasses indoors, but when the lenses are exposed to UV rays they will automatically start to darken, with them becoming fully engaged outside in direct sunlight. I'm wearing the Cubitts Flaxman frames in quartz with Graphite Green lenses - somewhat of a dream combination of my love of clear frame glasses + anything that comes in khaki. So here's to not carrying around two pairs of glasses anymore!

Mat.

DITTO Eyewear | Virtual Try-On at Home

As clumsy as it may sound, I'm starting to get through glasses like there's no tomorrow. This year I've had two pairs of specs; the first I managed to loose in Dublin on my trip with ASOS and the second have ended up with skewiff legs due to me carrying them in a "trendy man's" leather glasses slip - Hollie's words not mine.

I've worn glasses since I was around 17 years old, only using them for driving and long distances, but I've always have an affection towards wearing them. I was constantly reminded of the fact that I didn't need a pair when I was a kid–I was only member of my family not needing a pair "full time"–but I always thought they evoked a certain cool but most importantly, adulthood. I'm usually trying to find a good excuse to wear my RayBan frames but I know the consequence is that I'll end up relying on them, then be stuck with lids for life! I do think round frames suit my face though, but it was trial and error finding the perfect style.

When it comes to looking for a new pair of specs there's many routes to take. It's pretty hard to decide whether to check out your local opticians, seek recommendation or stick to what you already know. DITTO are offering something a little different from the rest - the online eyewear specialist has developed some crazy futuristic technology that not only lets you virtually try on glasses from their full collection, but they've also designed the programme so you can twist your head around to see the glasses frame at every angle.

I asked the ever-willing Hollie to try on a few a few pairs of glasses using DITTO's try-on service, to give you a better idea of how it all works. We picked several styles to try from their designer glasses range; Wayfarer, Oval, Round + Oversized.

Currently DITTO's brand list includes Ray-Ban, Persol, Linda Farrow, Illesteva, Chloe, Super, so there was plenty for us to choose from for both male and female. The experience of "virtually" trying on a pair of glasses online before you order can only be a positive thing. We could clearly see which styles suited Hollie, and with a slight tilt of the head, which styles didn't! It was kinda spooky how real they looked on her. I did have a go trying on a few pairs too but Hollie is much more photogenic that I am!
 

Overall it's not only a fun service but also a helpful exercise to see if we are making the right choice, to avoid disappointment at home. The next time you're shopping around for a new pair of glasses–be that prescription or UV–it's definitely worth checking out DITTO's services. Plus they're Currently they're offering a $50-off incentive, easy international shipping + no hassle returns.

In Collaboration with DITTO

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Archibald Optics | Craftsmanship In Construction

We’ve been talking a lot about glasses in recent months at Buckets & Spades. Back in March Mat ran a Ray-Ban giveaway, I was lucky enough to get a pair of sunglasses from London based Cubitts, and we were invited to an Eye Respect launch at Duke Street Emporium. All-in-all, it seems that glasses are getting a lot of attention this year.

I wasn’t taken by surpise to get an email from another London based brand, Archibald Optics, suggesting a meet up. I’m sure Mat will agree, one of the perks of blogging is the opportunity to meet new people, in new places, and drink a lot of coffee - enough so you can stay up all night researching and writing new pieces!

It was great to meet with Archibald Optics, not least because they introduced me to a tiny coffee shop on Frith Street in Soho, where we sat and watched all of those very interesting folks that inhabit the streets of Central London.

I’m by no means an expert on glasses, although in the last month I’ve learnt more than I ever knew before. Those I saw from Archibald Optics had a good weight to them and a firmness in the arms that indicate quality. I reckon these could take being sat on a couple of times. A frequent problem when I take sunglasses off on the tube. And as this video shows the quality of these frames comes from the dedicated craftsmanship in their construction.

It’s fascinating to get this sort of insight into a product’s construction. It always make for a more compelling argument to invest in a particular brand when you’ve seen ‘behind the scenes’. Mat’s post on Loake is a case in point. The company create optical lens and sunglasses for both male and female - all of which are made in Japan.

I’d be interested to hear of other glasses brands that folks out there like and also any more brand / product insight videos doing the rounds… For more info on Archibald Optics visit here. - Nik

 

You can find Nik at - Conrad's Beer | Twitter | Instagram

Tens | The Real Life Photo Filter

Tens is a new sunglasses brand which sees life slightly different from the rest. The Edinburgh-based start-up aim to bridge the gap between our constant want to filter + edit life through various post-photo production techniques and a pair of sunglasses, which change the light instantly. Their aim was to create something which lets you skip the editing process and filter what our eyes see, while being totally disconnected from technology.

Tens' technology work with the warmth of the sun, which filters what we see before our eyes. Do we need it? I'm not 100% convinced we do, life looks pretty good without it. It's an interesting concept which promotes offline activity nonetheless.

For more information on Tens visit here. [image source]

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MyOptique Giveaway | Win London Retro Glasses

To be frank, I'm a right wally. Whilst in Dublin shooting for the ASOS on Tour campaign I went and "mislaid" my 3-week old Ray-Ban frames. After searching high + low and tweeting up every single place we visited several times, I had to concede that they'd simply fallen out of my pocket, resulting in someone swiping them. Someone, somewhere is enjoying those glasses right now, that's assuming they have the same prescription as me!

I finally found a frame shape that I was 100% and they slipped away so quickly -  MyOptique are really decent folk and as an extremely kind gesture they've offered me a new pair of glasses and a brand new giveaway for you guys! We're giving away a pair of London Retro Glasses of your choice. Choose any style from the men's or women's section - worth £79!

Below are a couple of London Retro unisex styles which caught my eye in particular -

Reggie | Kings | Highgate

How To Enter

To enter this giveaway you must be a subscriber to Buckets & Spades - simply complete the form below. Giveaway is open worldwide. Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Seasonal Essentials - Sunglasses

Hollie's wearing - Rayban Clubmaster, Cos Top, Kate Spade Earrings.

Wearing - Rayban Wayfarer, Libertine Libertine tee c/o UO , American Needle cap.

I know what you're thinking, penciling in a post about sunglasses just when the sun has gone away? True, it feels like the temperature has dropped about 10 degrees and the Autumn weather (some hazy sunshine instead of drizzle please) has really started to kick. We'll soon be wrapped up in numerous layers and stomping about in the fallen leafs. Shorts and t-shirts will be firmly stored away 'till next year but there's a few things that will be staying put, one of those is sunglasses.

Other than the bare essentials (trousers, doi!) there's a few pieces which I wear regardless of the season. Cycling comes into consideration so things have to be practical; trainers, sweatshirts, lightweight jackets and sunglasses. The British weather is all over the shop and changes hourly, so if you prepare for the worst then you'll never go far wrong. One minute you're sweating buckets, shading your eyes from the sun; the next it's none-stop horizontal rain right in your face. It's slightly predictable but both myself and Hollie never stray too far away from Ray-Ban. I've never found another shape that suits my face but Optical Express* currently have some I might that might be worth a gander. I've had the same pair of wayfarers for around 4 years and they're still going strong, so stick to what you know? 

Remember, failing to prepare is preparing to fail. From here on in you're likely to find carrying around sunglasses and a my trusty Fulton brolly whatever the weather. Do you guys have all year round essentials?

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It's all about the future

Picture from Jak & Jil