Avoid getting pinched this St. Patrick’s Day by not only wearing the color green but by “going green” with your wardrobe.
Nestled between a few trees in a quiet area in Boise, is a little wood warehouse where three brothers have created a new niche in the sunglass world. Together they have designed and sold thousands of sustainable wooden sunglasses.
Proof is the name of this new startup.
…And I sort of have a little crush on one of the Proof members. Okay, he is my husband (yes the same guy who likes to bargain shop and buy me clothes- read that post here) and apparently also has a really incredible vision for sunglasses.
They are the third generation in their family to work with wood products industry starting with their grandfather who started a small sawmill and later grew into large family business that continues strong today. I decided to pay them a visit and take a peek at their new models for their 2012 collection. They have been creating more female specific models and need your feedback on what you favorites are.
These wooden sunglasses are used with sustainable wood and plants such as Bamboo. I have been seeing a lot of bamboo products out, anything from shirts to jewelry to sunglasses. I even have a few cloth diapers that are from bamboo! The reason for this trend? Bamboo has been known in the right conditions to be able to grow 2 inches every hour! This is speedy considering it can take 120 years for many trees to mature! Not to mention that these shades are incredibly comfortable and incredibly stylish. They are guaranteed to make a statement.
Proof is not only creating a more sustainable product but the company tries to “be green” wherever they can. When entering into their warehouse one notes that the cubicles were all hand crafted out of recycled wooden pallets and a lot of their packing station consisted of several previously shipped boxes and packing material. And if that weren’t enough- they also practice giving back a portion of the money they make to eye clinics in India and re-planting forests in Haiti.
One of my favorite details is that each shade comes with a little message. This one says, “Do more of what makes you happy.”
Each model also has a name. This model, “The Dame” just so happens to be my favorite name! 😉
Ladies, here is where I need your help. The guys have asked me to take a poll on what model is your favorite. They are trying to decide what style to bring back for the next season. Keep in mind that these are just a few of their inventory. There are several shades of lens and wood types in each model. Therefore, there are over 150 combinations to choose from! (To view more options visit www.iwantproof.com) But to keep you (and me) from being overwhelmed- I chose a few and here they are:
1. The Dame
2. The Ontario
3. The Bogus
4. The Bogus half
5.The Cake
6. The Provo
7. The Gato
Okay ladies- we are in need of some female (and male) perspective! We need you- leave a comment and tell us what model you like the most! It just might make it’s way back next year!
xo
P.S. Also, it is “Green Week” at Trulymodlydeeply.com where Proof will be giving away a pair of shades for St. Patrick’s Day! Check it out!
P.S.S. There is more. While I was looking around for “green fashion” I found these three lovelies and was so amazed and inspired by them that I had to share real quick. I love them so much that you just may be hearing some more about them in some future posts! I think I am on an eco-friendly kick!
1. Urban Lace – Jewelry made out of recycled bicycle inner tubes.
2. Ryan Elisabeth- recycled vintage watch- each piece inspired by a great woman in history.
http://vimeo.com/38142002. Ashley Watson- accessories and bags made out of recycled leather.
Peggy says
Out of all of these I prefer The Dame the most because they are the most diminutive out of all the options (and they are even a little big for my tastes… yeah I typically have a hard time getting sunglasses especially since one ear sits lower than the other.. weird! I know, LOL)
my honest answer says
I love the shape of ‘the cake’, but I think they might be a little large for me. Something that shape, but smaller top to bottom would be perfect!
gina says
Def Dame!
jen says
Wow, cool post. And just in time for me, I was just about to get a pair of designer shades this weekend and now I have proof that there are cool options out there. Never seen wood shades. What an original and fun idea. My sister and I always try to out do one another when it comes to fashion. I think these would give me a leg up on our “sibling fashion rivalary”. I like the provo or bogus half. So cool.
rachel says
Hmmmmm. I love big frames. I would say the cake. Looks fun. Also like the bogus.
proof wood sunglasses says
Bogus looks fun. Found proof’s website and love the bogus in the natural wood.
Heidi V says
I LOVE the Dame!!
Natan says
Honestly, I like them all! But I would go for the Bogus!
Stacey R. says
I love these. I like the Dame or the Bogus. Wood sunglasses what a concept.
Kandice says
I have the Cakes and i LOVE them… I get complements on them all the time and have a lot of friends who are looking to invest in their own Cakes – but the Ontarios are awesome too… a little more gender neutral so you can trade off with your hubby! 🙂
Ashley Anna says
LOVE LOVE LOVES the Ontarios! I would ever so graciously rock the Ontarios in Ontario! WINNING! ♥ Im an eco-friendly vegan and am always looking for new and innovative ways to rock a natural lifestyle. PROOF is in the product! Cheers!
Cammie says
I am LuViN the Ontario!
jenni austria germany says
i love the bogus half and the gato frames.
Lindsay says
The Dame is my favorite too. Sleek with a cute but not too flashy style. The are all pretty awesome though. Nicely done, Proof!
Myoriah says
The Dame definitely. Would be great if these frames were available for regular glasses. I like earth friendly products.
cristi says
Hopefully prescription glasses soon!!
Lorraine says
The provo is my fav, cause it’s the closest to a wayfarer. Gotta love it! They’re attractive on pretty much anyone, whereas some of the other styles make me look like a bug! So, I’m a Provo fan.
chris says
I dont see my favorite on here but they are “The Bud”
Dave Tew says
My wife would suit the Cake but I also like the Provo. Very cool.
Lydia says
The Dame, definitely!
Lydia says
Although….. I do like the Cake style, as well. Just in a different color. 🙂
Emily says
LOVE the Ontario’s!
Maria @ All Things Luxurious says
Okay, definitely the Gato — my favorite! But it was so hard to choose! Each of these are so unique, and I just love the personal touches, like the name itself and the tiny inscribed message. Such a special product; thanks for sharing!
Lorena B says
The Ontario shades are just so Fresh. I think for women, more muted colors, or even some pastels for spring would be more appealing than really bright/more manly basic colors.
I love the idea of “green” fashion.
Thanks for always keeping us updated on the newest trends. 🙂
Jessica M. says
I LOVE the Cake glasses – I love the old hollywood-star style they ooze 🙂
carlee says
What cool sunglasses! I absolutely love the idea of bamboo shades that don’t leave a huge footprint on the environment and thank you for giving back, we should all do more of that!
Okay, so my vote is definitely the “dame”. I love the shape and the colors it comes in; seriously want my own pair. Stoked that this company is rooted in Le Boise; way to go Idaho!(this could be our new cheer chant!…if we did that sort of thing.)BRAVO!
darlene says
love the post cristi!! so fun and colorful and a perfect way to “go green!” my favorites are the bogus’s and the dames and the gatos and the ontarios and the… i love them all!!
Meg Warrington says
The Ontario for the shape and my hometown!
Vanessa Flores says
I Love the Cake shape!
Stephanie P. says
I love the look of The Bogus!
Margaret says
Loving the Dame!
Lolita Cook says
The Ontario look great! I would love to own a pair.
Nicole O. says
—————- Love the Bogus Half. The gradient lenses are awesome & I love the silhouette!
HannahBee says
I really like the Dame and the Ontario.
Stacia says
It’s a toss-up! I love both the cake and the dame!
Heida says
I love the Dame in Green, mainly because I love green but those are adorable.
Tiffany says
I’d like to see the Bogus Half available, since the rest of the models are already on the Proof website.
Jamaise says
The Ontario are a classic, they look great!
Quentin Cook says
My vote goes to The Provo
Sabrina says
Awesome glasses! LOVE the Dame & the Bogus half!
Karen says
The Dame is my favorite! Love everything about how these are made! 🙂
Jen Collins says
I love the Dame! My next two favorites were Provo and Ontario. Good blessings to you all!
Gentri says
I LOOOOOOVE the bogus half and the Gato! Can’t choose! I’m going to need some of those… both of those…