Hands On - EYE ON ACCESSORIES
To have and to hold
by Amy Spiezio

Having eyewear on hand is important for convenience and even for safety. But old-fashioned-looking eyewear retainers may thwart the buying habits of even the most pragmatic soul.

Fortunately, today's accessories designers have translated eyewear retainers into items that hold appeal across the market from the most rugged, sporty men and women to those looking for a high-fashion piece of jewelry on which to keep their eyewear.

This season's crop of retainers runs the gamut when it comes to materials. From a technology standpoint, eyewear retainers for the sporting market are increasingly focusing on high-tech materials that can take a beating and keep eyewear afloat and at the ready.

The high end is also getting more involved than ever in eyewear retainers, offering semi-precious stone holders, silver and gold rings and chains, exotic woods, shells, and unique designs that mask the accessory's practical purpose.

Following is a sampling of the latest eyewear retainer offerings.

A passion for purple from the Accessories by Ron's line from Ron's Optical, ronsoptical.com, 800-247-7667	The Beach Chain assortment from California Accessories, calaccessories.com,800-523-5567	Durable EK Ekcessories' Micro Three-Way Eyewear Retainer, www.ekusa.com, 435-753-8448	Turquoise is elegantly displayed by La Loop, www.laloop.com, 877-505-1500

The beauty is in the details for Sama's line of accessories from Loree Rodkin, samaeyewear.net, 323-822-3955	Rugged Croakies Terra retainer, www.croakies.com, 800-443-8620	Colorful beads lead to eyerings from Corinne McCormack, corinnemccormack.com, 212-868-7919	Face a Face's jewelry line holds eyewear elegantly, faceaface- paris.com, 888-388-3223