Retro-feeling sunglasses are pretty much the norm these days, but the classic wayfarer style can seem a little too ubiquitous sometimes. Yes, they make almost anyone look cool, but if everyone’s wearing the same style then what’s the point? For an upgrade to your basic black frames, Portland’s Shwood brings you the same stylish retro shapes with handcrafted wood frames and high-quality lenses. The company has made a name for itself with a small selection of styles like the wayfarer-esque Canby and aviator-inspired Ashland, but is now introducing a new unisex style to their collection. The Oswald ($115) is a classic rounded shape with a signature keyhole bridge that has heritage going back to the 1930s. The style works well for both men and women and is a nice, but subtle, step away from the typical wayfarer.
Like all of Shwood’s glasses, these are thoughtfully handcrafted in the company’s Portland workshop to ensure sturdy construction and a beautiful wood finish. The Oswald shades are made with a three-ply frame and two-ply temple construction, and are available in both Zebrawood (above) and a chocolatey brown European Walnut with several lens options. All of the woods are sustainably-harvested and the frames come with optical quality Carl Zeiss or polarized lenses.
In support of the company’s new style, Shwood is giving away a free pair of Oswalds every week for the month of April. Head over to Shwood’s Facebook page to enter to win one of four variations of the new style. We guarantee they will make you look cooler than your plastic-sunglasses-wearing friends.