Let’s break out the sunglasses again, this time with a pair from Von Zipper. Founded in 1999 in California, VZ specializes in extreme sports eyewear, such as snowboarding masks.

My favorite: the Stache in red, white and blue! They do the same style in 4 other colours: black, white, red and tortoiseshell.

The frame is relatively lightweight (31g), and made of Polycarbonate. The lenses, category 3, are slightly reflective, which offers better protection, but they aren’t polarized.

Technically, these Von Zippers are nothing special but they’re a nice product, at a reasonable price. Perfect, for example, for special pair of sunglasses in addition to an everyday pair!

sale: $109.99 from Amazon

The latest in the series of good leather bracelets, I have just discovered Victor Onorio. Unknown until now, I’m just waiting to get on his site, which would appear to be coming soon (or not), to find out more.

Above is one of my favorite styles in black leather and silver: “Glamour of Nature”. I love the one below in brown leather: “Nature Power”.

There are a dozen models are available on the Devianandarts site for between $50 and $70 (£20/35).

Mike Sweetman is a Parisian designer which I had mentioned last year in an interview (in French). He has since opened a new shop at 24 Boulevard Raspail, dedicated to shoes, bags, jewellery and accessories.

In his accessories range he usually has some stylish belts including a few snakeskin ones. But today I’m looking at a black patent leather style.

A very nice belt. It was love at first site! Rather stylish with a pair of black jeans… You’ll need to keep it simple for the rest of the outfit, but this is the little extra that gives the whole look a little lift!

And I love the buckle! Not that’s a really big steel buckle! The front is brushed and the sides are moulded as you can see below. True class, I tell you. Right down to the very last detail…

€90 from Sweetman.fr (in English also)

So today we’re back to sunglasses with Tipton Eyeworks and their Vinylize glasses. An idea launched by Hungarian designers Zach and Zoltan Tipton, these sunglasses are made from old vinyl records.

Originally launched in the USA, the collection arrived in France in 2005. It was an extremely exclusive release, to say the least. I love the Alvydas style, it’s very rock‘n’roll. You need the look and the right face to go with it, but the end result can be wicked!

These are very beautiful sunglasses, which you can admire close up at Les Plus Belles Lunettes du Monde. However, be aware that they cost €295. Ok, they’re a little cheaper if you tell them we sent you

NB: if you take a look at Tipton.hu (good luck!), you will discover a new range they’ve just launched: Cinématique. The key concept of this collection of 10 models is the use of 16 and 35mm films. For the record, these are all films dating from after 1989 (fall of communism). You can see the films in the arms of the glasses, between 2 layers of acetate. If you insist, we’ll talk about them again after the summer with (prescription) glasses…

Our most recent sunglasses selections:

• Vinylize Sunglasses
• Beryll Sunglasses
• Oliver Goldsmith Glasses
• Men’s sunglasses: trends for 2008
• Sunglasses: retrospective 2007
• SPY sunglasses
• Persol 649 s sunglasses

I know that you’re going to say that watches with metal straps are commonplace. Well, I hope you will agree that some of the watches I will show you in the follow-up to this article are a little out of the ordinary!

So let’s see them. From left to right:

• Paul Smith “PS20”: Sky €575
• Alessi “di Piero Lissoni AL5011”: £135
• Starck “PH4002”: €250
• Nixon "Murf": White €399

The unusual thing here is not so much the straps as the faces. Note however, by pure chance, none of these watches have a strap with links, and they’re all fairly similar.

If you are interested: have a look at this site which shows the different types of metal straps available.

Beryll was founded in 1998 in Austria. Sigmar Berg, its creator, trained as an architect. He is now based in Santa Monica. In his approach to design, he attaches great importance to matching glasses with the shape of the face, and the choice of materials. The sunglasses are handmade in Italy.

You can identify them by the crosses on the arms. Initially they used a silver cross, but increasingly the logo is more subtly set into the frame. Beryll wanted his glasses to be recognisable for their design rather than the logo.

My favourite: the Conte. Its square shape is particularly suited to oval-shaped faces. The frame is polished acetate and the lenses are polycarbonate. This lighter material offers greater comfort.

The lenses are UVA and UVB treated. They conform to the Australian standards (one of the most demanding in terms of sun protection). Let’s not forget that although sunglasses are pretty, and a fashion accessory, but their main point is to protect your eyes from the sun!

On sale at Les Plus Belles Lunettes du Monde at the price of €245 (ouch! But see below for a 5% discount on sunglasses and 10% on glasses!).

As I’m trying to make you understand, watches are not just everyday objects. The watches I will show you today are unusual, in that they use wood in their construction.

You will agree that the watches I have chosen do not reflect the tribal trend with its one-size-fits-all ethnic mix that you’re quite frankly better off avoiding once you’re no longer a teenager.

So wood, yes, but here used more like with certain aftershave bottles, because it’s sort of masculine and refined… (OK, the one in the middle isn’t very masculine, but I hope you get the picture). I’ve also chosen wood for another reason: you don’t expect to see it on your left arm, it draws the eye.

Let’s get acquainted. From left to right:

• Vestal “Plexi” Wood Gold €319
• Paul Frank “That’s Good”: Green €140
• Nixon “Murf” Dark Wood €399

My selection is most certainly not exhaustive. It’s worth noting that Nixon do a lot of wood watches, particularly the Rotolog styles that I like best.

See you soon.

This is the first part of our sunglasses special. Oliver Goldsmith is an English brand created in 1926 which saw its heyday in the 60s. At the time, it was represented by the actresses Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren.

In 2005, Clara Goldsmith, the founder’s granddaughter relaunched the brand using her grandfather’s artistic heritage. Around 30 models were re-released. And this new era came with new icons: Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Jude Law, Jessica Simpson and Gwyneth Paltrow all posed for Oliver Goldsmith.

And this year, the arrival of designer Brian McGinn (an Irishman? Yes sir!) aims to bring new styles whilst using the know-how and hand crafted 100% British style.

My favourite: the “Carl”, with its large acetate aviator frame. These are distinctly retro sunglasses available in tortoiseshell, black, transparent and green!

On sale at ESPLE, 40 rue Saint Sulpice Paris 6 (see the discount voucher below) and for non-Parisians from Men a la Mode (€198). Discover the rest of the collection on the Oliver Goldsmith site.

For many, watches are the best way for men to wear jewellery. Definitely a much better way than a bracelet, chain or pendant, signet ring or leather wristband.

However, choosing a nice watch is not the easiest of tasks. The range of products available is very wide, and this is a purchase that must be looked upon as an investment. Particularly for those who don’t want to, or can’t afford to buy several.

My aim is not to help you choose a nice watch but to give your wrists a breath of fresh air this summer. In order to do so, I will over you several selections over the coming days. However, I won’t tell you which watches not to buy, there are too many, and of course: it’s a question of taste!

I’ve deliberately decided to show you a few unusual styles, which aren’t necessarily tasteful or stylish, but that set themselves apart from the rest. As an introduction, and to make you wait a little:

Definitions: Watch

• 1. Box fitted with a face, containing a clock movement, that one wears to know the time. A definition that makes you think that dictionary compilers have strange habits, and wear watches in order to know the time.
• 2. Case worn by a person that contains a stored energy mechanism that propels a mechanism that measures time and shows the time as it passes. That’s more like it.

To be continued… (at the end I’ll give you a good adress, and we might talk about automatic watches).

Let’s start with a non-trendy style, as it never goes out of fashion: the aviator, which has been present in every new collection since it was created by Ray Ban in 1936. This basic has once again formed the inspiration for many fashion houses (Dior, Cavalli, Tom Ford…) and designers (Berryl, Porsche Design…).

The main trend at the moment is without a doubt vintage. Ray Ban’s other bestseller, the Wayfarer, a 50’s model, was very popular last year, and this success continues this season.

This vintage trend also includes styles from the 60s, 70s and 80s. My favourites: The seventies revival with streamlined and chunky shapes. I love it! This year, there are more square, geometric styles.

But the most noticeable thing this season is the return of colour! If you like the 80s, you’ll be in your element: Bright colours and large frames are back with a vengeance! White, yellow, red or green, the emphasis is on fun!

Over the next few weeks, I’ll invite you to discover a selection of sunglasses from these different styles. A range that, I hope, will turn you into shades experts, if you aren’t already