Tom Ford TF0035 CHARLES Sunglasses

THE ASKMEN TAKE

The perfect sunglasses to give you that louche, ‘70s rocker look, these uber-cool shades from Tom Ford feature smoke-gradient lenses nestled in round metal frames. A double-bridge lends an authentic, old-school feel to the Tom Ford TF0035 CHARLES shades. Wear them to add an edge to slim-cut suits and tailored pieces, or pair them with jeans and a leather jacket for a more badass ensemble. In the summer, use them as the finishing touch on a loose-fitting, beach-ready outfit.

UNIQUENESS

The resurgence of the aviator’s popularity means that you can find a pair everywhere from designer stores to drugstore discount bins these days. A few features, however, set these particular aviators apart. First, they have a superior construction compared to cheapie shades, so they’ll likely fit and feel better on your face. Their frame is composed of palladium, a rare, whitish metal that’s tarnish resistant and incredibly lightweight. The smoke-colored lenses are also a nice touch and subtly suggest that you paid a little extra for these Tom Ford TF0035 CHARLES sunglasses. Lastly, one of the most appealing selling points about these sunglasses is that they look good on a wide variety of faces, as exemplified by the fact that they look equally fabulous worn by both men and women.

DURABILITY

It’s hard to find sunglasses that lend effortless style to everything you wear, but a good pair of aviators will do just that, meaning you’ll have these ones for years until you break them or lose them. Despite their retro appearance, you won’t have to junk these Tom Ford TF0035 CHARLES sunglasses after one season, or even after five. Aviators and summertime go together like apples and pie, so if you live in a warm climate, you’ll be able to wear these year-round. More northern inhabitants, however, will probably want to switch to a sportier pair of shades in the winter that can offer some protection from the elements as well as style. With regards to the price, $240 sounds like a lot for a pair of flimsy sunglasses. Your decision to purchase them should boil down to the following: If you take care of your possessions and you’re unlikely to damage them or lose them in the next five years, then go ahead and splurge. Otherwise, pass them by.