Living: Status in the Shading Game

A billion dollars in sales make sunglasses the essential accessory

Coool. That's right. "Capital C, triple o, l. Coool." That's how Robert Richard, 18, spells the statement his shades make as he saunters down Los Angeles' haute-funky Melrose Avenue. Perched on noses, plunked on heads and dangled on "leashes," sunglasses are making an endless number and variety of fashion statements this summer. Still an obligatory part of the rockstar, sport-star, and any would-be-star uniform, sunglasses are an essential accessory for almost everyone else. Sure, some people may use them just to keep out the...

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