Whether it's summertime at the beach or a traffic jam in the city, people need sunglasses. And not just any sunglasses, people need accessories that match personalities and fulfill needs. Sunglasses are a part of life and these days they can be purchased pretty much anywhere. In the airport giftshop or the upscale department store, designer sunglasses are year-round commodities.

But what is the difference between the $5 sunglasses from the corner convenience store and the $300 designer sunglasses found on runway models? For one thing, sunglasses are not just meant for keeping the sun out of your eyes. Designer sunglasses allow others to know who you are and what you think of yourself. Traditional eyewear is important because it helps you see the world around you. Sunglasses help the world around you see YOU, and that is vital. These days you can even find sunglasses in your Optometrist's office, giving consumers the chance to protect their vision and their presentation all in one shot.

Ultimately, people purchase sunglasses for four reasons. The $5 pair you find at the discount retailer is not likely to measure up, so if you really care about your purchase, you are more likely to get what you want if you shop for quality and purpose. Use these criteria to decide:

COLOR - i magine you are off to Bermuda for Spring Break. You have a new red bikini and your sunglasses must match.

COST - what if you are shopping for a Christmas gift and only have $50 to spend?

PERFORMANCE - brands like Maui Jim and Serengeti have been developed with technical precision and provide the ultimate in performance for day to day activities like driving.

STYLE - it really counts when your primary objective is to look better than anyone else in the room!

Some of the world's top designers have created sunglass lines. Names from Adrienne Vittadini to Yves Saint Laurent adorn the faces of many of the world's top jet-setters. Britney Spears was spotted in her Dsquared 0019 Black while with her children in Central Park, New York just a few days ago. And who would recognize Jay Z if he weren't wearing his Oliver Peoples Daddy B Olive Tortoise with Brown shades while on stage?

The range of variety is not limited to Rayban and Oakley as it once was--although those are available too. Ed Hardy, Prada, Ralph Lauren, and Versace have joined the ranks of the world's most popular sunglass brands and if the trend continues, sunglasses will be as common an accessory as the handbag.