With the high price that fashion takes on a student's wallet, people might actually have to start wearing their sunglasses at night to get their money's worth.

Versace, Gucci, Prada, Fendi and Kate Spade are merely a few brands known for having fashionably trendy sunglasses, but Penn State students have a problem -- finding the cash to pay for these name-brand buys.

But Joseph Haloua, owner, optician and frame buyer for Spectacles, 138 W. College Ave., said there are ways to buy new sunglasses within your own price range.

"Fashion is to be worn, not admired in the window," he said.

Haloua said he sells all the designer brands, including Gucci and Versace, in his store, but he must have lower prices because his market isn't as big in a town like State College as it would be in bigger cities.

"My glasses are $10 to $50 cheaper [than other stores] and range from $30 to $375 a pair," he said.

Haloua said people who shop for sunglasses specifically by brand usually set themselves up for disappointment. People should go into a store very open-minded about which sunglasses fit into a budget, he said.

"Be truthful; if you can only spend $100, tell them, and they can find something close to the same style in a cheaper product," Haloua said.

Another thing to keep in mind when shopping for a perfect pair of shades is size, but some may wonder if Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen got the memo to shrink their frames, or if huge frames are still in this season.

"Definitely large frames, wrap-around frames and a continuation of styles from last year, but opposed to other years, a lot more color is in this season," Haloua said.

Brown, tortoiseshell and darker colors such as purple and blue that are a little more fun are in, but "black is always a must," he said.

Mallorie McCue (sophomore-public relations and women's studies) said although big "bug-eye" frames may be a little less trendy this season, she will still wear the pair of Versace sunglasses she splurged on last year.

She said she swears by pricier frames because they tend to be better made and last longer.

"Higher-end sunglasses go between seasons and are not as much of fad fashions," she said.

As far as men's sunglasses are concerned, Haloua said the aviator style is back by popular demand.

The look is not strictly for men however as it can be worn by men or women, he said.

"Guys are very different. While women are more concerned if their sunglasses will complete their wardrobe, men are much more technical and worried if their lenses are polarized, not if they look good," he said.

Stephen Barrett (freshman-psychology) said that although most guys don't look for trends when shopping for sunglasses, he looks for brand name and style.

"I have a pair of Prada sunglasses now that I spent a ridiculous amount of money on," he said.

Haloua said he goes to New York, Paris and Philadelphia to collect different styles of sunglasses to sell at his store. He said sunglasses are particular to each person's personality, and people should own two to three pairs.

"One that's a serious classic frame to protect your eyes against the light, and at least one other pair that's more fun and is a fashion accessory and street wear," he said.

Penn State students may just have to own the sunglasses that make sweatpants look like a cute outfit, but something that must be kept in mind is protection from the sun, Haloua said.

"All sunglasses should be UV protected no matter what they look like," Haloua said. "You must remember function over fashion."