Buying sunglasses in Singapore

PUBLISHED June 22nd, 2012 01:48 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:44 pm

I read that Jack Nicholson once said,

“With my sunglasses on, I’m Jack Nicholson. Without them, I’m fat and 60.”

As a total sunglasses fanatic I think that sunglasses can complete and transform a look, create an attitude and channel a character. It’s nice to know that 3 time Oscar winner and absolute dude, Jack Nicholson agrees with me!

Since moving to Singapore, sunglasses have become a bit of an obsession and I now have a dedicated drawer full of them. It’s a relatively new phenomenon because there really is no need for sunglasses in the UK. The four days of sun we have each year hardly warrants the investment and I couldn’t stand to see them looking sad and lonely tucked away, all dressed up but with no party to go to. However in Singapore, sunglasses are a medical necessity! (ask an ophthalmologist, I’m sure he’ll back me up here!) and a fashion statement so with that in mind, here are some of my favourite eye candy….and just to be clear by eye candy I do mean sunglasses and not the boys from Abercrombie and Fitch.

Recently opened, define happiness on Haji Lane is a destination store for sunglasses in Singapore. Run by enthusiast and collector, Eric – who let me tell you, really REALLY knows his sunglasses! define happiness is full of cult classics, exclusives and statement pieces. Take these for example:

The pink beauties are Karen Walker ($360- somewhere Nicki Minaj is clapping her hands together in glee) and just above are 3 of a large selection of Thierry Lasry glasses (from $460). Carried exclusively by define happiness, buy a pair of these and you’re immediately in good company. Worn by Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Eva Mendes, Dita Von Teese and Jessica Alba to name a few, these glasses are entirely hand-made in France with the best craftsmanship techniques and traditional know-how.

Hugely exciting for the sunglass enthusiast are these Ksubi/Richard Nichols collaboration, with limited production to ensure exclusivity – monochrome deliciousness! ($300)

define happiness also carries Ray-Ban, Carrera, Oakley, Le Specs and Von Zipper, and just in case you are thinking ‘but sunglasses never fit me properly’, they also carry in some ranges, Asian fit glasses that sit snug on a smaller nose bridge. dh is a shop that lauds sunglasses, from the chic decor to the layout, the focus is firmly on the glasses, and in this shop, they really are a thing of beauty.

Visit define happiness at 69 Haji Lane, Singapore or  www.facebook.com/dhsunglass.

Print this feature and get $30 off any pair of shades at define happiness through June.

Supershades has been around for a year or so as a website but now has a store in the Sophia Road Peace Centre which is full to the brim with affordable funky shades.  A favourite with Snoop Dog are the Knockaround range:

Let’s be honest, if they’re cool enough for Snoop, they’re cool enough for us! (price range from $50-70)

Slightly more expensive but unbelievably chic are these None The Wiser shades. Made from bamboo, prices start at $230. Let me start by saying I love them. LOVE them. They have a real tactile quality, and the warm, natural shades are bound to flatter any complexion.

Quay sunglasses are fun and funky. A bit silly, totally fashion and a huge favourite of Lady Gaga’s, their motto is ‘Life is to short to simply blend in’ Agreed!

Supershades can be found at #03-216A in Marina Square Shopping Mall or online at http://www.supershades.sg

City Nomads readers can claim 20% off the Knockaround and Shady Peeps collections when purchasing in store.

Last but not least, Le Specs. Oh how I love Le Specs. Massively affordable, totally funky and very, very cool. Appealing to fashion conscious men and women, either young in age or young at heart, Le Specs offers unique styles to express every personality. Prices start at $60, which for a sure-fire fashion statement, is totally reasonable.

This season saw a collaboration with Henry Holland, darling of the young, talented fashion crowd from the UK which not only increased Le Specs cool points to dizzying new heights, also resulted in some seriously hot eye-candy! Like these, named the “muffin top” !! Or these below,

Very Top Gun. Just need to grab my jet plane and I’m good to go!

You can pick up Le Specs at dh sunglasses on Haji Lane, Antipodean in Holland Village, Supershades at the Peace Centre, Nana & Bird in Tiong Bahru and within the next month, they will be on sale at ZALORA.sg.