POLARISED EYEWEAR

3 products

Duck Apparel eyewear is a small range of frames sold in South Africa, made up of The Milan cat-eye frame, The Cairo round frame and The Tokyo rectangle frame. Each one is named for its shape rather than for a trend, which makes the choice straightforward, you are picking a silhouette that suits your face and the rest of what you wear. The three shapes cover the main options in eyewear, an upswept corner, a full circle and a straight horizontal line. Choosing between them is mostly a question of contrast, because a frame shape that differs from your face shape is what makes a pair of glasses read as deliberate.

The three frame shapes explained

The Milan is a cat-eye frame, which means the outer corners lift upward and the top line of the frame is heavier than the bottom. That upsweep draws attention toward the cheekbone and the brow. The Cairo is a round frame with a continuous curve and no corners at all, a softer and more studious shape that has been in and out of fashion for a century. The Tokyo is a rectangle frame with a level top line and squared corners, which is the most neutral of the three and the easiest to wear with a formal outfit.

The practical differences are worth knowing before you choose. A round frame covers less of the face vertically, so it looks lighter. A rectangle frame carries more surface area and holds a bolder colour better. A cat-eye frame is the most directional of the three and changes the look of a face the most.

What should you wear eyewear with?

Eyewear is the accessory that changes an outfit the most for the least effort, because it sits on the part of you people look at first. Frames pair well with a cotton cap in the bright, high glare conditions common across South Africa, where the peak does as much work as the lens. If you are building a full outfit rather than buying a single piece, the complete the look edit puts accessories next to the outerwear they were designed to sit with. Keep one rule in mind, a bold frame works best when everything else stays quiet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What frames does Duck Apparel sell?

Duck Apparel sells three eyewear frames, The Milan cat-eye frame, The Cairo round frame and The Tokyo rectangle frame. The three cover the main silhouettes in eyewear, an upswept corner, a full circle and a straight horizontal line. Each is named after a city rather than a trend. Choosing between them comes down to face shape and how much attention you want the frame to draw.

How do you know if glasses fit properly?

Glasses fit properly when the frame is about as wide as your face, the top rim sits just below the eyebrow, and the arms rest on your ears without pinching. The frame should not slide down when you look at the floor and should not leave marks on the bridge of your nose after an hour. There should be a small gap between the outer corner of the frame and your temple. If the frame touches your cheek when you smile, it sits too low.

Are Duck Apparel frames a good gift?

Eyewear works well as a gift because it does not depend on body measurements the way clothing does. Frames only need to suit a face shape and a personal style, which makes them easier to buy for someone else than a jacket. The gifts under R1000 edit groups accessories by budget if you are shopping to a set figure. A frame shape the recipient already wears is the safest guide.

How should you clean eyewear?

Clean eyewear with a microfibre cloth and, when it needs more, warm water and a drop of plain dish soap. Rinse and dry with the cloth rather than a shirt hem or a paper towel, both of which scratch. Never use hot water or household glass cleaner on lenses, because these strip coatings. Hold the frame by the bridge while you clean it so you do not twist the arms out of alignment.

How do you store frames so they do not bend?

Store frames in a hard case with the arms folded and the lenses facing upward. Left face down on a table, lenses pick up scratches from grit that is invisible until it has done the damage. Putting frames on top of your head stretches the arms and loosens the fit over time. A case in a bag also protects the hinges, which are the part most likely to fail.