Sitting somewhere between being an accessory and unnecessary, ridiculous and grotesque, fashionable and vain, one unusual item has come to impose its presence in our stylistic landscape: For several months now, sunglasses with lightly tinted lenses, commonly referred to as “smoke lenses,” have come to be confidently worn everywhere, both in summer and winter, indoors and outdoors.
So, what are we talking about, exactly? Behind the widely used term “smoke lenses” are sunglasses equipped with category 0 or 1 lenses, characterized by their minimal protection against sunlight – or complete lack thereof. More precisely, while standard sunglasses with category 2 or 3 lenses filter between 58% and 92% of sunlight, tinted lenses only reduce the intensity by anywhere from 0% to 57%.
That’s enough theory and numbers. In reality, these unusual lenses mainly affect our perception of people’s gazes. While optical lenses leave them entirely visible and sunglasses completely hide them, smoke lenses cast an ambiguous and unsettling veil over them. When facing someone wearing this kind of glasses, it’s hard not to wonder: Do they suffer from eye sensitivity, something that would require this kind of precaution, or are they just trying to make a statement?
To be better seen
Let’s not be fooled. While a constant transition between the blue light of computers and the sun’s white light can sometimes be uncomfortable, the vast majority of tinted lens enthusiasts are clearly making a statement with this ostentatious accessory, creating a symbolic barrier between themselves and the average person. Even worse, they are projecting their vision of the future: On the day when their talent shines bright for all the world to see, they will be shielded from the light of fame and the paparazzi’s harsh camera flashes.
At the end of the day, after this train of thought – which may cost us a few close friends, unless they truly suffer from eye sensitivity – the conclusion is clear: These glasses are not meant for seeing better, but only to be better seen.