Fashion can be fun, but for the most part the items in your wardrobe are meant to double as functional items. Your sunglasses may look sexy, but they are also meant to block the sun’s dangerous UV rays. The fashionable aspect means you can splurge on designer shades like a sexy pair of Prada sunglasses, but functionally they need to fit your lifestyle. If you’re an active person, they need to be snug and comfortable, and not slip off your face with every shake of the head. If you’re girly, they should be fragile and beautiful, like you. There are so many amazing designer shades out there, get the one that fits your style and your lifestyle.

Athletes, don’t try to play another game or go for another outing without buying the sunglasses designed for your sport. This gear is top-of-the-line and will up your game, plus there is nothing more frustrating than trying to play volleyball and having your sunglasses slip around on your face or fall off just as you were about to make a wicked spike. That can make or break a game! Professional athletes report that performance-enhancing sunglasses give them the cutting-edge difference needed to be at the top. Why not emulate the best of the best?

Finally, don’t rule out fashion entirely when going functional. You can find sporty, fun and chic sports sunglasses, or girly, lightweight shades that don’t look cheap. There are so many designer brands out there that there is bound to be one ideally suited for you.

Sunspots can refer to two things. One being the spots on the surface of the sun (solar storms, essentially) the other being spots in your eyeball created from prolonged exposure to the sun. We’re discussing the latter in this article: the medical causes and symptoms of sun spots in the human eye, which results from lack of protection (aka you forgot your Ray Bans on a week-long beach vacation) when under direct influence of the sun.

Sun spots are common in climates where the sun is always a constant presence. Like around the equator. They are also common in low-income areas where sunglasses are not available. However, if you have the funds or knowledge you can easily protect yourself from sun spots and sun blindness.

Always wearing sunglasses outside decreases your risk of developing sun sports and sun blindness. Even if you can’t afford sunglasses you can protect yourself by never looking directly at the sun, or at things that will strongly reflect the sun’s rays- like metal or water surfaces. Some Eskimos fashion sunglasses out of bark or hide to decrease the glare reflected into their eyes. This is one solution, sunglasses is another. You can’t protect yourself 100% without sunglasses because you can’t always anticipate where the sun’s rays will be bouncing, especially in a city where glass and metal surfaces will send rays shooting into your eyes at any moment.

Sometimes people develop sun spots later in life because of damage they received as children. You know the classic game where a bunch of kids stare at the sun to see who will be the first to look away. That stubbornness doesn’t pay off and the winner most usually suffers pain at the minimum, headaches at the medium, or sun blindness or sun spots at the extreme.

This summer, like all the summers in Europe before it, fashion has morphed and adapted to the changing climate, trends and styles that are sure to be hot for the remainder of the year. For example, the color palate has changed from last summer to a more retro, pattern-heavy focus. Sunglasses have gone from oversized to proportional, away with your Prada and hello to Jimmy Choo shades, and shoes have gone a step classier than last year’s more refined, conservative slippers.

Lets star with color. Brighter colors, which were hot last season, have given way to more refined, personalized colors like off-yellow, mauve and turquoise. But more importantly, the ongoing trend for blank tops has given way to patterns, and more specifically retro, wallpaper style patterns of yesteryear. Think of a basement in the 1950-60s and you’ll have the colors, patterns and shapes down for the summer of 2012 perfectly.

In terms of eyewear, and this is a big deal, get rid of your giant, oversized shades this year after the last five years of looking like a Jackie O bug, and finally find glasses and sunglasses that fit your look. The Olson twins no longer dominate the eyewear fashion scene, let them keep the big shades while you look slimmer, sexier and more refined in smaller sunglasses.

For men, the look of refinement this year is one that will aid you a great deal. Drop the sporty, beach look in favor of a more updated James Bond look. We’re talking Serengeti shades, cufflinks and a bit of class.

Luckily a new trend is emerging that is downright awesome. Usually we’re anti-fad, as they come and go and always make people look ridiculous. The latest fashion trend towards more natural fabrics, colors and textures, however, is one we hope lingers for a long, long time, and it’s something you can pair with your casual designer gear, like your Tom Fords and Serengeti shades, so all you really need to do is throw in the natural fibers and cool retro natural accessories and you’ll be hot on the trails of the latest, and greatest, trend to emerge in quite a while.

Natural fibers like linen, silk, burlap, cotton and older fabric styles like lace, cashmere and velvet are part of this latest trend. Especially popular are the old-fashioned cuts, like the high neckline, the longer sleeves and a sense of sex appeal with sheer fabrics and layers. Add in a modern twist with bright color splashes, makeup and designer eyewear.

One way to bring in a natural look is to use natural shades in your makeup, including tans, browns, yellows and pinks. However, another route is to layer your makeup with more vibrant colors and pair that with drab colored clothing, like the woman in the image here who uses blue and green eye-shadow to give a forest-nymph look.

Finally, several eyewear brands are experimenting with wooden frames, and some smaller retailers are already releasing wooden-framed sunglasses and eyeglasses. They are fragile, but pretty cool and although earthy and fun they are also heavier than normal shades. Perhaps a more casual eyewear piece would better compliment a natural wardrobe, or a flash-back eyewear style like the round frames popular in Oliver Peoples models.

It’s daunting, but it’s important. How you dress signals a lot of information to the world about who you are, your priorities and where you’re going. It may be unfortunate, but humans use all kinds of visual and auditory clues to amass judgments about people. We can’t help it– it’s hardwired into our survival genes. This plays into the fashion world in a big way. You need to dress in such a way that you project the image you want to project, whatever that may be. Be it an Armani-wearing businessman signaling confidence and wealth or a skateboarder in Ray Bans signaling a devil-may-care attitude.

One of the primary ways we signal fashion is with accessories. True, clothing is necessary and as such can be functional at best, or ridiculously flashy at it’s worst. But accessories are the real key to assessing and being assessed. Are the accessories fashionable, name-brand, expensive? That obviously signals the opposite of no accessories, or knock-offs or cheap plastic gear. Think hard, especially, about your eyewear. People look for the soul in the eyes and when you cover them with an accessory like sunglasses or eyeglasses you are displaying your intentions and personality through your accessory. It’s amazingly important, whether you love fashion or hate it.

Dispite the seriousness of fashion direction, it can still be fun. Think about who you are as a person, what you want to express and then have some fun with it. If you are a business person, splurge on accessories and show your confidence. If you are a fun loving, carefree person show that with wild and fun accessories. Why not? You want to project who you really are, after all.

This year has seen a surge in the return of old fashion fads. Ray Bans are back in style again after a few years of hiatus, and larger-than-life sunnies are back for women, only this time in more dynamic shapes than the typical bug-eye look of the 2008 era. Women are looking edgier, more in control. Gone are the soft shapes, colors and smooth lines, the women of 2012 are angular, complex and a bit sexier. Think: the fashion of Rhianna applied to the mass public and you’ll have an idea of the style for this year’s smoking ladies.

For men, the same basic concepts are holding true. Sharper lines, a bit more glamour and more contrast. Look for black and white accessories, gold and silver, and so on. Bold colors like reds, blues and greens were so last year, this year it’s about dynamics, contrast and impact. Your accessories need to be fewer and further between, but more compelling and interesting. Instead of layering or scarves this year, look for one or two stand-out pieces.

In terms of color this year, your impact pieces should be high contrast like black and white, but your clothing can be muted, especially to show off your accessories. Muted and softer colors are better for making your accessories pop. Soft greens, blues, pinks, off white and tan are all expected to continue to be popular this season, especially when combined with edgy accessories. The contrast between the soft, muted clothing and the stark, modern high-contrast accessories is exactly what the season is all about.

Here are some tips to help keep you safe, fashionable and sexy this summer.

1)Always protect yourself from the sun. Even if you don’t think you’re exposure is going to be dangerous keep in mind that anything over ten minutes of pure, unprotect sun exposure is dangerous to human health. Your chances of skin diseases and eyestrain increase dramatically after fifteen minutes, and your body can absorb too much vitamin D, which will result in negative side effects. On the inverse, too little sun is even worse than too much. As with all things, moderation is the key. Without vitamin D your body goes into chaos, and your skin and eyes need the light to help keep them focused and sharp. Aim to absorb only a handful of raw sun exposure minutes before you wipe on the sunscreen and slip into your sunnies.

2)Exercise is even more important in summer than in winter. Your body naturally hibernates in the winter, and putting on a few extra pounds and slacking on your workouts is normal, it allows your body to bulk up for much-needed rest during the less productive months. In summer your body absorbs more and thus your renewed energy allows you more motivation to burn calories. Exercising in summer burns calories quicker than in winter. Take advantage of that!

3)Fruits, vegetables and eating right are essential to ideal health, and increase your chances of healthier eyes and skin. Combined with daily skin and eye care, sunscreen and sunglasses your diet will help keep you fit and sexy.

A healthy diet is one of the key aspects to a healthy pregnancy. Anyone who has experienced pregnancy is aware of this. Yet one thing that isn’t stressed enough throughout pregnancy is exposure to the sun. The skin is sensitive because it’s stretching and growing as the baby grows, but without vitamin D the body starts to diminish. The sun is the best way to get vitamin D. So, slip on your Versace shades and lay back and soak up as much sun as you enjoy. Don’t forget to lather up in sunscreen first—we’re not trying to get a tan we’re just trying to absorb as many nutrients from the sun as possible.

Many women report skin problems during pregnancy, from increased acne to stretch marks to discoloration. Much of this is unavoidable but exposure to the sun in safe amounts has been shown to improve the overall quality of the skin. Something most women would applaud, especially while pregnant.

Studies show that sunlight, and the body’s exposure to it, increases happiness. In pregnancy the baby feels what you’re feeling. If you’re stressed, cold and without the vitamins from the sun your baby will feel that. Unfortunately, not all of us live a lifestyle where trips to the beach are possible. Still, find a way to get to a park and soak in a few rays a few times a month and you’ll notice your overall mental and physical health improve as the spring weather turns to summer.

Spring is here, and with it the fashion of romance and sensuality. Designers from Prada to Dior to Ray Ban await this season all year. It’s the season of new beginnings, new fashion, new ideas and rebirth. Here are five fashion tips to help you get your fashion sense activated and reborn.

Tip #1) Embrace the sun. In order to adore spring you have to get outside and embrace the changes in nature. Vitamin D is essential to mental and physical health and the best way to absorb it is directly from the sun. A few minutes a day is all that’s needed to improve your mental and physical health. If you’re outdoors more than that, lather up in sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.

Tip #2) Sunscreen all spring is essential to springtime freshness and beauty. Deep tans are not hot in spring, they look fake and forced. That’s why pale skinned beauties are all the rage in spring, it’s natural and adorable. Keep your skin silky smooth and white with sun screen.

Tip #3) Don’t shy away from color. Spring is about the birth of color after a dormant period. Your winter wardrobe didn’t allow as much fun as spring does. Bring on the color and don’t be shy about it!

Tip #4) For some reason clashing colors abound in springtime fashion. Reds and oranges in one look, or even blues of different hues. Don’t be afraid to clash a bit in your wardrobe this spring.

Tip #5) Spring is the season for fun, not seriousness. Now is the tip for lace up sandals, colorful patterns, ridiculous Alexander McQueen sunglasses and bright makeup. Have fun with it, it’s spring!

We love our celebrities in the UK. We love everyone’s celebrities in fact. And when we see a celebrity in high fashion we get all the more giddy. Tom Fords have been a popular celebrity sunglasses sighting of late, including on big celebs like Angelina Jolie, Kate Middelton and more.

One thing we love in our celebrities is when they mess up, especially in the fashion sense. When we see a sexy, beautiful celebrity in an unflattering smock or a handsome man garbed like a street bum, we’re amused at the mistakes and it’s worth a small giggle to watch the superstars struggle to look sexy. It’s nice to know that it doesn’t come naturally to anyone, celebrity or normal citizen alike.

Elton John, our shining knight wrapped in flamboyant clothing, is ever redefining men’s fashion. While he is gay, he also retains a level of masculinity in his dress in the form of his clothing’s cut and angles. His charming flare is more obvious in accessories he clothes himself in, especially his iconic eyewear and sunglasses. What would Elton John be without his crazy shades, after all.

Most recently we’ve been amused with America’s fascination with Lady Gaga. She’s talented, no doubt, but it’s awkward to watch a whole nation swoon over a lady so clearly off her rocker in every way. Her music is innovative and unique, but we wouldn’t call it good. The same goes for the disaster she calls fashion. Everything from dresses made of steak to garbage bags, to cross-dressing and even more. Yet when it comes to eyewear the goddess of odd seems to have a knack for picking designs that flatter her form. She also loves Oliver Peoples and Dior, two companies that excel at bordering the odd with the obvious.