Elon campus fashion: sunglass mania

Schuntel Reddock / Reporter

Why are sunglasses the latest additions to our wardrobe? This fashion trend has been followed for centuries and is being revamped into the latest and greatest fashion accessory.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is known to many as John F. Kennedy’s wife, but known to the fashion world as an international fashion-trendsetter. She gave a new and embracing cause to wearing sunglasses beyond just during summers at the beach. The oversized, dark rounded sunglasses became a legendary trademark in the 1960s and has continued into the new millennium. The whole world admired her fashion sense and as the first lady in the White House she was able to make her mark on designer’s latest retro styles in the fashion industry.

Now, the most seasonal accessory is taking a new meaning beyond just a fashion statement. It seems that now more than ever sunglasses are being worn by just about anyone. From A-list stars like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Brad Pitt, Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton, Jennifer Lopez and Usher, the celebrities have used sunglasses as a means to reflect personality and style. Sunglasses have emerged to be embraced by all generations in their own unique era, but they have never been worn so much until now. In the most popular magazines sunglasses have been used not only to prevent the sun from one’s eyes, but also to label one as a celebrity or star in the media atmosphere.

In the January edition of Life & Style magazine the completed look for spring 2005 was dark sunglasses worn by Brad Pitt and the infamous twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. The young actresses have put a new look on the trend of sunglasses and this has caused them to be referred to as the legendary Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

Why so much emphasis on sunglasses? US Weekly said that “they showcase flattering features on your face and are vintage.” They seem to not only be in the spring and summer wardrobes, but in the winter and fall seasons as well. They are universally wearable and accessible. From a variety of prices they are the “hottest” retro styles yet, and they reflect individuality and personality. The “classic look” has always been a striving style for most high fashion designers like Versace, Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana. Keeping this in mind while designing outfits, models have also showcased that “big” is in. And the latest glasses that most celebrities and trendsetters have been wearing are dark colored lenses that are oversized and trimmed on the edges in black, white, red, pink and even a simplistic blue. Sunglasses with brown tint that cause your eyes to be visible are on most of last summer’s “out” lists according to the fashion industry’s top “must have list for spring and summer 2005.”

So, as we see our fashion icons, inspirations and local celebrities, know that they too have conquered the latest style and now it’s up to you to complete your outfit. Be a local celebrity on campus by wearing sunglasses to class, the gym, work, or just to avoid sun in your eyes. Sunglasses have become a crutch to everyday lives. Everyone can be their own fashion icon at his or her own expense; whether you choose to spend $200 or $10. As a college student we all can’t afford Gucci sunglasses, but you can find some at a lower price and achieve the same look.

Here are a few stores to check out when you go shopping for that spring break trip: Wet Seal, Forever 21, Sunglass Hut, Nordstrom, Hechts, Marshalls, Target and Lord & Taylor. You can also visit their web sites as well as other bargain stores in your hometown.

Contact Schuntel Reddock at pendulum@elon.edu or 278-7247.

Laura Hals / Assistant Photo Editor

Elon’s third annual "Fashionably Loud: Simply Fashion" fashion show took place Saturday. The Black Cultural Society sponsored the show and it included 20 models. The event’s mission was to bring out diversity at Elon. Designers such as Gap, Hot Topics and Street Dreamz offered their clothing lines.