The designer Tom Ford says, “Sunglasses are like a perfect pair of shoes—they can change your entire appearance.” And it’s true, they are a fab  accessory to turn to when your look is feeling uninspired. Akila, a sunglasses company in Los Angeles has teamed up with The Beatles to create modern interpretations of styles from The Beatles 1960s heyday. At $160 for a pair of off the shelf shades without adding a prescription they are more expensive than most of what you’d find at Warby Parker but lower than a pair of Ray Bans. Much like Pokémon, you can “collect them all” packaged together in a deluxe Yellow Submarine box set (complete with portholes) for $700. I tried two of them,  one a recreation of the famous round eyed specs most associated with John Lennon (who got his stock versions from the National Health) which is christened A-Side. And another, large framed wrap-arounds that look like something once worn by George Harrison. Called Goodnight, it came with a substantial leather case that includes a polishing cloth with the songs from The White Album listed on it. They fit well, look fantastic, and have become a part of my regular rotation. The packaging is delightful and really adds to the fun of these. A-Side includes a Yellow Submarine inspired case that is refreshingly light and portable and a Sergeant Pepper’s style polishing cloth. There’s also B-Side which are small and rectangular, mimicking the ones worn by both Harrison and Roger McGuinn of The Byrds.  Like Goodnight, the others are named for Beatles songs. For more of a wayfarer style, there’s Blackbird which comes in either black or white.

All Akila sunglasses offer a premium feel and are made from a durable Bio-acetate and metal combination frame, and their lenses are scratch-resistant Optical Class 1 nylon lenses. They also offer 100% full UVA/UVB protection, and include Acetate temples & nose-pads. Prescriptions are available at extra cost should you need one.