Who doesn’t love (or look good) in a fab pair of sunglasses? I was recently sent a pair of Maui Jim limited edition Vinylize Hula Blues sunglasses, and for what might seem to be (at first) a simple product, they are full of surprises.
Created in a limited edition of only 6000 frames, the Maui Jim Limited Edition Vinylize Hula Blues Sunglasses are handcrafted from Maui’s own first and only 12″ pressing of TOLO’s Hula Blues. That’s right — the frames on these polarized sunglasses are actually made from a vinyl record.
The sunglasses are sized for men, but if you are a woman with a larger face, you might be able to make them work. Included in the package is a special sunglasses case, a microfiber cleaning cloth, the Vinylize sunglasses, and an information booklet.
All of Maui Jim’s sunglasses feature a proprietary PolarizedPlus2® lens technology that eliminate 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays and 99.9 percent of glare.
Photos by Chloe Becquet
The frames measure 5.8″ long at their widest point, and the lenses are 55mm across. The plastic frame back and inside arms have an embedded Hula Blues print design.
It’s odd to find sunglasses that are as visually stunning on the backside as they are on the front, but people who care about details will appreciate this touch.
Each one of the Maui Jim Limited Edition Vinylize Hula Blues frames is handcrafted from “Tolo’s pressing titled ‘Hula Blues’ in Vinylize’s Budapest workshops.”
The attention to detail is lovely. The Maui Jim Limited Edition Vinylize Hula Blues Sunglasses were inspired by the original vintage printing of the sheet music booklet for the Hawaiian classic Hula Blues from 1923; you can see that pattern on the included microfiber cloth as well as on the back of the sunglasses.
But of course, the most stunning aspect is the distinct vinyl record that makes up the front of the frames. It’s not going to jump out at people looking at you while wearing them — the effect is subtle, yet noticeable once you look closely.
I have to admit that I was eyeing these beauties for myself, but my husband Kev decided he needed them more. Who am I to argue — they look great on him! He likes that they are stylish and polarized; I like that they look so good on him!
Summer is over, but that doesn’t mean you have to quit enjoying the eye protection and style these sunglasses offer; they’d be great on the slopes this winter as well.
If you need a little something to get you into the Island mood, check out this playlist …
As these are a limited edition, they are already sold out on the Maui Jim site, but you can still find them at various places on the web.
The Maui Jim Limited Edition Vinylize Hula Blues Sunglasses retail for $399, and they are available from Amazon [affiliate link] and other retailers — but hurry! Once the edition of 6,000 is gone, that’s it!
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample
What I Like: Amazing attention to detail, as every angle of the sunglasses is visually appealing; The frame is made from a vinyl record; The lenses have Maui Jim PolarizedPlus2 technology, so they are great at the beach or on the slopes
What Needs Improvement: Made for larger faces, so if you are a woman they may not work