Editor’s note: Bar Boi is a new series on dapperQ created by our latest contributor, Seattle-based Mellina White Cusack. Bar Boi is a monthly piece that pairs a seasonal dapper outfit with a swag cocktail to match. Salud!
Eyewear and Tiki Drinks
Yes, we have arrived at the Dog Days of summer. But this unseasonably warm weather across the country has granted us another solid month of sunglass & tropical drink loving weather. So give in, buy a new pairs of shades (damaging UV rays do not disappear in winter, after all), your favorite rum, and sit back. summer is still with us.
The internet age has helped to break the eyewear industry wide-open. For years, the Italian company Luxottica had their hold on almost every popular eyewear brand and retail storefront worldwide. Everything from Prada to Ray-Ban to Sunglass Hut and even Lenscrafters are a part this brand. In fact, they still have hold of nearly 80% of all major brands. But, for many dappers, your style should be as unique as your persona. These new(er) brands can help freshen up any dapper summer ensemble.
For the Charitable Dapper : TOMS
via TOMS Instagram page
When most think of TOMS, they think of shoes. And yes, TOMS is still creating trendy footwear with their ever expanding collection. But, their offerings have grown to a quality collection of coffee, bags and…. eyewear. And in the spirit of their one for one mission, TOMS will provide sight-saving medical treatment to a person in need for every pair purchased. So pick some aviators knowing you are helping someone less fortunate. Our pick: The Traveler.
For the Hand-Crafted Dapper: Shwood Eyewear
Shwood describes themselves as an experiment with nature. They manufacturer beautiful eyewear by hand in their workshop in Portland, OR. The results are gorgeous sunglasses made from hand-crafted wood and other natural materials. They are the perfect pair for any dapper explorer, whether you journey in an evergreen forest or concrete jungle. In addition to sunglasses, they also make RX glasses. Our Pick: The Medford.
For the Hipster Dapper: Warby Parker
Warby Parker’s traveling mobile shopping experience
Warby Parker has struck a positive chord with millennial shoppers. They offer trendy designs, reasonable prices, quality product and something extra for the conscience consumer: Like TOMS, Warby Parker donates a pair glasses to a person in need for every pair purchased. Unlike many designer brands, you can get your hands on a pair of these lenses for less than $100. Plus, they will ship you up to 5 pairs to try on for 5 days, free! There’s no better way to find the winning pair. Our Pick: Kincaid.
For the Undecided Dapper: Ditto
If designer sunglasses are a must for you, why not sport a new pair every month? Meet Ditto, the Netflix of sunglasses. Join their endless program and have access to more than 1000 pairs of designer sunglasses. Swap out any pair, anytime, for $19/month. RX is also available for $29/month. They carry brand faves like Ray-Ban, Paul Smith and Burberry. Take the sting out of that $500 designer price tag and have something new all the time. Our Pick: Luftfracht.
Recipe: The Mai Tai, revived
It is hard to think about tiki drinks without bringing to mind cheesy, cheap cocktails with neon red cherries, plastic cups, and discount sugary rum. But there was a time when tiki cocktails were a dignified drink to serve at a dinner party. Thanks to some craft mixologists across the country, the original classic tiki drinks are being brought back to life with respect. The mother of all Tiki Drinks: The Mai Tai. It takes a little more work to build this drink with fresh ingredients, but your friends will suck them down, guaranteed.
Mai Tai
Makes 1 Drink
- 1 oz Dark Rum
- 1 oz White Rum
1 oz lime juice
½ oz triple sec
½ oz pineapple juice
¼ oz orgeat
Float of grenadine
Fill a tumbler, mason jar or tiki glass with ice.
Fill with all ingredients, topping with grenadine.
Garnish with fun ingredients like pineapple wedges, cherries, citrus slices and umbrellas.
