July 9, 2007

Shady Business

Rare Eyewear

You could grab attention the new-fashioned way: shaving your head, busting out of rehab, going on the lam.

But why not try it the old-fashioned way, in a pair of vintage shades from Rare Eyewear?

SF-based dealer Curtis Hawes scours the globe for new old stock sunglasses from the ’60s through the ’80s (think cool aviators and Jackie O. styles).

Dramatic round shapes by Christian Dior and Nina Ricci win big with the ladies. Playboy types go Miami Vice in Carrera fold-ups with changeable lenses or Steve McQueen in elusive Persols. Uber-hipsters of both sexes fight over Wayfarers in discontinued colors like crystal, red, and matte black.

Or up your street cred in a pair of Run-DMC-style Cazal shades.

Without doing damage to your permanent record.

Available at Harputs Market, 1525 Fillmore Street, between Geary Boulevard and O’Farrell Street (415-922-9644 or harputsmarket.com); Nomads, 556 Hayes Street, between Laguna and Octavia Streets (415-864-5692); Chrissy Bee, 622 Shrader Street, at Haight Street (415-221-3020). To see styles, go to rareeyewear.com.