Blogs… you can find one on just about any topic under the sun. It’s often said that one should write about what she or he knows, and for the following bloggers, it’s no surprise that they’ve chosen to devote entire blogs to sunglasses as they each share a passion for all things sunglasses. Here are some blogs to keep your eye on if you want to keep your hand on the pulse of what’s new and hip in sunwear today.
Blog: Celebrity Sunglasses Finder URL: celebrity-sunglasses-finder.com Why: As a huge fan of sunglasses who owns about 80 pairs himself, this blogger started this site in late 2007. After spending seven years in the designer eyewear business, he realized that the main thing that customers were interested in was what celebrities were wearing. “As the market began to be flooded with more designer brands than functional brands, I started to pay a lot more attention to what was worn in movies and on TV. When I realized that businesses weren’t focused on what the customers were asking, I turned to the Web to see if there was anyone answering the question, ‘What are they wearing?’ So I guess you could say that I simply wanted to be the first to answer that question,” he says.
What You’ll Find: The site is updated daily based on what fans of the site are asking for. It also pays close attention to what pages on the site receive the most traffic, which most recently has been Vanessa Hudgens, The Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, and Zac Efron. With 1 million hits per month from 170 countries, the site has recently adjusted its layout to make it more shopable for those looking to buy online.
Typical Readers: “I would have to say that our readers are mainly fans and consumers of designer sunglasses and of the celebrities we post on the site. One of my favorite comments left by a reader was that they work at a retailer and keep our blog up as their default home page on their computer. Another retailer prints off a flyer using our pictures and passes them out to their staff as a training aid. The fact that this blog can be used to help someone make a sale or help a customer is amazing to us, and that’s what it’s really all about.”
Blog: Everything Sunglasses URL: everythingsunglasses.blogspot.com Why: Started in April 2008, this blogger wanted to focus exclusively on sunglasses because he’d been buying them since he was a little kid due to his photophobia, which hurts his eyes when he looks at bright lights. Having worn sunglasses his entire life taught him a lot about them. It was only natural to create a blog that covered everything in sunglasses. “Most brands know the importance of blogs now so they are trying to get their names out there.”
What You’ll Find: Anything from celebrity sightings, new brands, and new designers to designer/brand collaborations, technology, innovation, and reviews. “If there is a film coming out that has big name actors wearing sunglasses, I always try to hunt down what they are wearing before the film is released,” he says. Background information such as what polarized lenses are and where people should buy sunglasses is also covered.
Typical Readers: “I think a lot of my readers are just consumers who come across the blog looking for the pair of sunglasses they saw Robert Downey, Jr. wearing in Ironman, information about a new design from Louis Vuitton, or people just looking for popular new sunglasses styles. It's pretty random. Most of the comments on the blog are just from people excited about a new style or looking for more information about a pair they must have. You’d be surprised at how many people are that into sunglasses. Sometimes people even go so far as to take pictures of people wearing sunglasses on TV and asking me to track down the pair!”
Blog: Sunglasses Onstage URL: sunglassesonstage.com Why: This vintage collector and trained designer began this blog in spring 2009 because he loves how sunglasses are the only accessory worn on the face. Used as a creative outlet and as a way for him to have his opinion heard, he says, “I’d love for retailers to effectively merchandise and sell eyewear. I’d love to see small brands succeed and work with fashion designers to create real art like the iconic vintage pieces enthusiasts love and collect.”
What You’ll Find: Personal views on the state of the sunglass industry, as well as anything innovative in the fashion world including new releases, collaborations, and use of eyewear during Fashion Week. “I also poke fun at editorials that seem weakly thought out. In addition, I cover the business end of licensing and the efforts of smaller brands to widen their scope,” he says.
Typical Readers: People who love sunglasses but don’t know much about the industry, as well as industry insiders.
