A Sun Optics Lesson In Ageing Gracefully

Cool’s a unicorn.

Especially when your needle starts to dip below halfway on the years-left-ometer. However, we’re fortunate enough to be blessed with a colourful array of ageing groovers in our hallowed surfing midsts. So when it comes to style crises, middle-aged or otherwise, they’re a handy resource.

Of that human Pinterest board of effortless cool, one Robert Edward Machado ultimately, still, reigns supreme. And he’s got some new Dragon frames out, if you’re in the market for some shades.

Nothing ruins an outfit quicker than a shit pair of sunnies. And it only gets harder to pick ’em as you get older. When you’re young, whatever, wear your mum’s frames with whatever space-age get up’s trending. But when you reach the age where you need to cut a more refined figure on the boardwalk, then you just need a silhouette that’s flattering, durable, and doesn’t burn a $500 hole in your pocket when you inevitably lose them. Like the pair perched on the beak of the ever-stylish Mr Machado up top.

Now we’ve already given Dragon their flowers for sheer persistence, so let’s dive into the details of Mob’s frame. Starting with the fact that it’s not actually “a frame”, more a whole collection, with Roberto having the luxury of more than a pair for every day, in a whole range of timeless silhouettes, decorated with his musings. Musings that have largely been inspired from the fascinating goop that is resin. In fact, while we’re on the subject, has there ever been a surfboard craftsman (like Rob) who hasn’t, at some stage, become enamoured by the creeping drip of resin and inspired to art? We digress.

Not only does Bobby’s range feature designs based on some of his more successful drips, but they also tread light(ish) on planet thanks to a, wait for it, castor bean construction. Mind, blown; what will they think of next etc.

Turns out that not only are castor beans full of ricin (which’ll give you a moderate case of death if you eat enough of ’em) but they also mould nicely into a signature Mob frame.

In all seriousness though, picking a pair of sunnies from racks littered with goggles of every shape, size and price point imaginable is a stress your life doesn’t need. If all you ask is to keep the sun outta your peepers and look like an grown-ass adult-up who cares about how they look (but not too much) then trust Mob. And trust Dragon.

Get some timeless Machado on your beak.