Ray-Ban Folding Clubmaster

Legacy upload: Ray-Ban Folding Clubmaster

Ray-Ban was originally founded by Bausch and Lomb, an American eye health production company, and designed sunglasses for the US Army Air Corps to reduce the intensity of blue and white hues visible in the sky. The company was then bought out by the Italian eyewear giant Luxottica in 1999. It has been the staple of eyewear fashion since its production and has been featured in many films ranging from Top gun, Men in black and many more. 

The Ray-Ban folding Clubmasters combines the fashionable design along with the convenience of easy transport and storage. The hinges are located on the bridge, the temples and at the centre of the sides. They are well crafted and when fully opening they don't detract from the style of the frame, in fact, I think the presence of the extra gold metal details add to the look and prefer this over the original Clubmasters. When closing the frame to its compact form you can feel the quality as the sides lock into place and bridge folding mechanism makes it transition seamlessly.

The lens is a G15 green glass lens. The same lens designed by Bausch and Lomb for the US Air Force. The brilliant feature of the lenses is that they filter blue light and protect against UV A and B and allow colour contrast to look natural, just with a green tint. They have the signature Ray-Ban logo printed on the upper right corner of the right lens. The printing is never noticeable when wearing the lens but stands out to observers and whispers the brand if the design of the frame didn't already shout it out. Unfortunately, the variant I got hold of wasn't polarised, but they are available. You can tell if your Ray-Bans are polarised if the imprint of the logo includes a P at the end and it's usually stated on the side of the frame. The advantage of it not being polarised is that there isn't any distortion when viewing certain digital screens (such as your smartphone). This effect is caused by the LCD technology used in many smartphones you just have to test out some polarised lenses with your smartphone when you next visit your local optical practice to see if you experience the same effects.

The frame hits the perfect blend of acetate plastic and metal. This falls right inline with the up and coming trend of plastic looking frames infused with the metal emergence. Yet it is a classic design and can be worn all year round despite the ever-changing nature of eyewear fashion. The black acetate is such that it can be worn casually or with a three piece. It is quite a bold look and may work better with patients with darker hair or sharper features. The gold metal accents detract nicely away from the harshness of the black and compliment gold coloured jewellery and/or watches. The frame feels solidly built and I have confidence while wearing that it won’t stretch easily or come loose with proper care. The adjustable nose pads are comfortable and are really sturdy. The frame comes with a Ray-Ban cleaning cloth and a compactly sized replica leather case fitted with a velvet interior reducing the risk of lens damage.

Overall the frame is perfect for those looking for a flare of fashionable eyewear while being prepared for the British rain or a busy travelling lifestyle. The colours allow you to match to either a smart or casual attire while the metal accents keep the frames current. The classic unmistakable design stands out in the crowd without making too much noise, like a cough that gets someone’s attention rather than screaming across the hall.

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