Why Buy Designer Sunglasses?

[jyyanks]

I would really love your opinion on designer sunglasses. I have several pairs of cheap sunglasses - they get thrown in my bag (often without a case), left in the car, stuffed in a desk drawer and, if not in some obscure place, are often found resting on top of my head or carelessly thrown on my desk. I tend to lose things (Umbrellas, pens etc) and as you can see from my previous sentence, am not the most careful individual. However, as I'm flipping through my various vacation photos, my nice, cheap sunglasses seem to be in all of them! Not only that, but I find myself in nice outfits and expensive bags/shoes/accessories pulling out my $10 street glasses (yikes!). I went into a chanel boutique and tried on a pair that looked fabulous. The price tag had me staggering a bit but if I think about "cost per wear", I *may* be able to justify the purchase (provided they don't get lost).

So, for those of you who buy designer sunglasses, is it worth it? Why do you purchase designer over non-designer? Help me decide if I should take the plunge. Also, since I know nothing about sunglasses, what would you spend for a good pair? The ones I saw were $500!

 

[lulilu]

I only have designer sun glasses. I love Chanel, Celine (the most), Dior -- and others. I just keep pairs in different places like my car, mail table, office, etc.

Oh, I do think they are worth it, but not if one loses them all the time. Most come with hard cases and little bags so they are easy to carry.

 

[chic celebrations]

I’ve had my Chanel aviators for about 5 years now (maybe more) and carry them with me everywhere I go.

They are comfortable, and show no signs of wear or stretched arms, even when they perch on top of my head the lens quality is really good too.

I wouldn’t spends hundreds on a fashionable pair, but would definitely recommend spending on a classic pair, if you keep them in a hard case you’ll have many years wear from them.

I say go for it! X

 

[Kayceedee88]

I also only buy designer sunglasses for years now. I probably have 10 pairs (Tiffany’s, Gucci, Marc Jacobs...) as styles change over the years, so I tend to get different styles of sunglasses. I find they’re more comfortable than the cheap ones and they are a nice accessory that complements my outfits. I personally think they’re worth the price tag and eyes and vision are important to me and I’m not sure how good the UV protection lenses are on the cheap ones, hence I don’t wanna risk it by buying cheap sunglasses.

 

[Tuned83]

I am often gifted sunglasses by family or I get them duty free for the savings. I have quite a few pairs and haven't bought anything for years. I had the lenses on a favourite pair of Versace sunglasses changed last year. (Christmas present from my brother about 10 years ago). My sister has an obsession with designer sun glasses and as she's a few years older than me her example is what I followed. She recently introduced me to the brand gentle monster now I have designs on a pair from there too! It does not need to be Chanel. You shd shop around.

 

[jyyanks]

I only have designer sun glasses. I love Chanel, Celine (the most), Dior -- and others. I just keep pairs in different places like my car, mail table, office, etc.

Oh, I do think they are worth it, but not if one loses them all the time. Most come with hard cases and little bags so they are easy to carry.

I tried on a pair of Celine sunglasses at the boutique in Paris and remember really liking them. At the time I wasn't looking for sunglasses but was waiting for a friend and happened to be standing near the sunglass section. In hindsight, I should have purchased. I haven't lost my (cheap) sunglasses lately (hoping I don't jinx myself) so maybe I need to take the plunge.

I’ve had my Chanel aviators for about 5 years now (maybe more) and carry them with me everywhere I go.

They are comfortable, and show no signs of wear or stretched arms, even when they perch on top of my head the lens quality is really good too.

I wouldn’t spends hundreds on a fashionable pair, but would definitely recommend spending on a classic pair, if you keep them in a hard case you’ll have many years wear from them.

I say go for it! X

Thanks for your response. The pairs I've tried on at the boutiques are about $400-$600. Since most glasses I buy are in the $10-$100 range, it will be an upgrade. I like the idea of buying 1-2 classic pairs and leaving one at work/car and one in my bag.

I also only buy designer sunglasses for years now. I probably have 10 pairs (Tiffany’s, Gucci, Marc Jacobs...) as styles change over the years, so I tend to get different styles of sunglasses. I find they’re more comfortable than the cheap ones and they are a nice accessory that complements my outfits. I personally think they’re worth the price tag and eyes and vision are important to me and I’m not sure how good the UV protection lenses are on the cheap ones, hence I don’t wanna risk it by buying cheap sunglasses.

I do think I need to upgrade my accessories since I do invest in bags/coats/shoes/jewelry etc. It kind of defeats the purpose when I have a cheap pair of glasses with a nice outfit. Great point on the UV protection - I didn't even think about whether there would be a difference. That in itself is a good reason as I also don't want to risk it.

I am often gifted sunglasses by family or I get them duty free for the savings. I have quite a few pairs and haven't bought anything for years. I had the lenses on a favourite pair of Versace sunglasses changed last year. (Christmas present from my brother about 10 years ago). My sister has an obsession with designer sun glasses and as she's a few years older than me her example is what I followed. She recently introduced me to the brand gentle monster now I have designs on a pair from there too! It does not need to be Chanel. You shd shop around.

Love the idea of buying them duty free! I'm heading out of the country in Sept (wish it was sooner) so that may be the perfect place to purchase. Thank you for the gentle monster suggestion!! They are reasonably priced compared to other brands so I could purchase multiple pairs.

 

[Emily1830]

I would only get them if you are careful. There is no point in getting designer sunglasses if you are going to throw them around. I own designer ones but then again, I am careful for the most part.

 

[bagshopr]

I spent way too much on a beautiful pair of Valentino sunglasses several years ago. This style had a delicate design on the sides. I was horrified when I accidentally tossed my purse on top of them in the car and they snapped. Lesson learned; I buy my glasses at TJ Maxx and Stein Mart these days. Also, I hate the bulky luxury sunglass cases.

 

[MyMelodyLV]

In my experience, there are two kinds of people in the world when it comes to sunglasses, those of us who purchase designer sunglasses (and care for them) and those who don’t. I’ve always purchased designer sunglasses; they are better quality, more substantial, and stylish. I’ve had pairs for years and years that I rotate through. That being said, I’ve always taken care of my sunnies. Some people don’t like to be bothered to do this, if that’s you, that’s ok. You can still get decent, good quality sunglasses that don’t break the bank- toss them around, throw them in your car or purse without a case and not worry. If you’re willing put the money into designer glasses, it behooves one to care for them, and that requires more effort. Inexpensive sunglasses are less care and stress, designer sunglasses are more care and thought..strictly my opinion.

 

[sdkitty]

I have sunnies that I paid something like $500 for. I take good care of them - keep them in a case when not in use, don't put on top of head, which can stretch them. But if you don't want to be bothered to take care of expensive glasses, then maybe something like Ray Ban would be good. They are good quality lenses, cost a lot more than $10 but a lot less than Chanel.

No sense spending a lot on a pair of sunnies if they're going to be a burden to you.

 

[br3wx]

I used to buy those cheap sunglasses (I still have tons of them sitting at home). But after awhile, I get frustrated with them in terms of poor UV protection, poor quality and poor fitting. Furthermore, I realised that with the amount I had spent on buying them was enough for me to get a decent designer pair. I got 2 now and the most expensive pair is by Coach which I got it for USD225 at Sunglass Hut, I love how it frames my face and sits comfortably.

As for the remaining cheap pairs that I still have, I mostly brought them with me on my budget/backpacking travels and by the end of each trip they always break because of the poor quality.

 

[jyyanks]

I would only get them if you are careful. There is no point in getting designer sunglasses if you are going to throw them around. I own designer ones but then again, I am careful for the most part.

LOL - The word "careful" doesn't seem to exist in my vocabulary. Whenever, I have to be careful with something, I end up not using the item for fear of it breaking. Maybe I have my "nice" pair in my bag and then keep the cheap ones in the drawer/car.

I spent way too much on a beautiful pair of Valentino sunglasses several years ago. This style had a delicate design on the sides. I was horrified when I accidentally tossed my purse on top of them in the car and they snapped. Lesson learned; I buy my glasses at TJ Maxx and Stein Mart these days. Also, I hate the bulky luxury sunglass cases.

This is my fear. What you just described is something I would totally do. I just need to bite the bullet and take the risk though buying on sale would make me feel better if I lose/break them.

In my experience, there are two kinds of people in the world when it comes to sunglasses, those of us who purchase designer sunglasses (and care for them) and those who don’t. I’ve always purchased designer sunglasses; they are better quality, more substantial, and stylish. I’ve had pairs for years and years that I rotate through. That being said, I’ve always taken care of my sunnies. Some people don’t like to be bothered to do this, if that’s you, that’s ok. You can still get decent, good quality sunglasses that don’t break the bank- toss them around, throw them in your car or purse without a case and not worry. If you’re willing put the money into designer glasses, it behooves one to care for them, and that requires more effort. Inexpensive sunglasses are less care and stress, designer sunglasses are more care and thought..strictly my opinion.

I love this. What you say above - better quality, more substantial and stylish - is why I think I need to go designer. I have yet to buy a designer pair but hoping that when I do, the price tag with force me to take care of them. Though, I'm not that way with my bags and they cost way more than sunglasses!

 

[jyyanks]

I have sunnies that I paid something like $500 for. I take good care of them - keep them in a case when not in use, don't put on top of head, which can stretch them. But if you don't want to be bothered to take care of expensive glasses, then maybe something like Ray Ban would be good. They are good quality lenses, cost a lot more than $10 but a lot less than Chanel.

No sense spending a lot on a pair of sunnies if they're going to be a burden to you.

Your last statement is so true. I'm going to see if I can get a pair on sale or at the outlets that are in between "cheap" and "chanel". I've seen a couple of pairs of $200 glasses which is way better than $500.

I used to buy those cheap sunglasses (I still have tons of them sitting at home). But after awhile, I get frustrated with them in terms of poor UV protection, poor quality and poor fitting. Furthermore, I realised that with the amount I had spent on buying them was enough for me to get a decent designer pair. I got 2 now and the most expensive pair is by Coach which I got it for USD225 at Sunglass Hut, I love how it frames my face and sits comfortably.

As for the remaining cheap pairs that I still have, I mostly brought them with me on my budget/backpacking travels and by the end of each trip they always break because of the poor quality.

Great point - with all the cheap pairs I have lying around (they are probably more like $50 though there may be some $10 ones mixed in), I could have invested in a decent pair. Great idea - the cheap glasses will go on the Disney/beach/hiking trips and in cars/drawers and my stylish pair can be used everywhere else. Sunglass Hut has some good sales with decent brands under $300.

 

[insidemysoul]

I use sunglasses 90% of my day due to an eye condition, I use them indoors and outdoors. I find that my prescription lenses are usually more expensive than the designer sunglasses themselves, lenses for me cost upwards of AUD$600 and have to be replaced each year, I would hate to buy a cheap pair of sunglasses, then have them break and have to replace the frames and lenses multiple times a year.

 

[daisy913]

I have cheap ones for when I travel internationally. I'm willing to buy trendier pairs this way too. I use the cheap ones for travel because if they break or I lose them, it's not the end of the world.

My favorite pairs are miu miu and I have one by chloe. I think designer sunglasses are better made. They have more weight to them (not flimsy feeling). I like to buy my sunnies from nordstrom rack or saks off 5th. You can find classic styles at a steal. Personally, I like more out there designs and I can find them there too.