Why Buy Designer Sunglasses?

[vhuynh2]

My favorite sunglasses are my titanium Chanel aviators. They are so light and I can be sensitive to the weight of sunglasses. I am on my second pair. I never tightened the screws of my first one and it unfortunately fell apart. If you want to try an “inbetween” brand, I would try RayBan. Great quality, classic styles.

 

[sdkitty]

if you're interested in Ray Bans Costco has them for a good price

 

[DreamingBeauty]

I don't have any designer sunglasses, I do like them and often look when I see a sale but haven't bought any yet. For sunglasses sold in the US, even cheap pairs have to meet standards on UV protection, and there have been studies showing that cheap pairs can have better UV protection than some expensive pairs. I would not buy from kiosks or other fly by night type places though, as I'm not sure what they're selling is going through normal channels. I always manage to scratch my glasses no matter how careful I am

 

[jyyanks]

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.

Very smart! If you wear sunglasses 90% of the time, it certainly pays to get good ones. I don't have eye insurance but thankfully don't need glasses as they can get so expensive!

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.

Great idea - I will do the same. It makes sense to have inexpensive pairs for travel/car/beach and anywhere they can potentially get lost/broken (amusement parks etc). The good pair will be for work and when I'm more dressed up.

 

[jyyanks]

My favorite sunglasses are my titanium Chanel aviators. They are so light and I can be sensitive to the weight of sunglasses. I am on my second pair. I never tightened the screws of my first one and it unfortunately fell apart. If you want to try an “inbetween” brand, I would try RayBan. Great quality, classic styles.

Chanel has some really nice glasses though they are hard on the wallet. Did you take them to chanel when they fell apart? Curious as to if they would do anything or if they consider it normal wear and tear. I had a pair of Ray Bans a long time ago. So glad to see they are still in style!

if you're interested in Ray Bans Costco has them for a good price

Really? Thank you - I'm going there on Wednesday to take my son for contacts so will have to check them out.

I don't have any designer sunglasses, I do like them and often look when I see a sale but haven't bought any yet. For sunglasses sold in the US, even cheap pairs have to meet standards on UV protection, and there have been studies showing that cheap pairs can have better UV protection than some expensive pairs. I would not buy from kiosks or other fly by night type places though, as I'm not sure what they're selling is going through normal channels. I always manage to scratch my glasses no matter how careful I am

I understand as I haven't bought pair yet. I think I'm going to try to buy some on sale or at Costco so if I scratch them, I won't feel too bad.

 

[jyyanks]

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.

Also - thanks for the Nordstrom Rack and Off Fifth suggestion. I shop in both places often so will definitely check them out. The outlets may work as well. I would buy online but need to try them on as I don't know what style would work and I want a pair I will wear for a long time.

 

[vhuynh2]

Chanel has some really nice glasses though they are hard on the wallet. Did you take them to chanel when they fell apart? Curious as to if they would do anything or if they consider it normal wear and tear. I had a pair of Ray Bans a long time ago. So glad to see they are still in style!

I did not take them to Chanel. I bought them at Nordstrom, so not sure how that would have worked. I suppose I still could try.

 

[daisy913]

Also - thanks for the Nordstrom Rack and Off Fifth suggestion. I shop in both places often so will definitely check them out. The outlets may work as well. I would buy online but need to try them on as I don't know what style would work and I want a pair I will wear for a long time.

No problem! I try them in store and see if I can find them on the website too. I like having a pair that I know no one else has touched, plus the packaging tends to be nicer too. You kinda just get whatever sunglasses case they have at the register. When I bought my Chloe sunglasses, the physical saks off 5th gave me a plain hard case that said "chloe." I ended up returning them and buying them off of the nordstrom rack website because they were cheaper haha They came in a nice white presentation box and the case for the sunnies was a really nice leather semi-hard case. The leather feels like butter

Hautelook is also a good option, especially during the warmer months. I've seen gucci and fendi go for as much as 70% off.

 

[Serenity19]

I have Chanel, Chloe, Fendi, and Prada and they're totally worth the money especially because the cases that come with them are extremely durable. It's also good to keep a cheap pair for when you travel.

 

[jyyanks]

No problem! I try them in store and see if I can find them on the website too. I like having a pair that I know no one else has touched, plus the packaging tends to be nicer too. You kinda just get whatever sunglasses case they have at the register. When I bought my Chloe sunglasses, the physical saks off 5th gave me a plain hard case that said "chloe." I ended up returning them and buying them off of the nordstrom rack website because they were cheaper haha They came in a nice white presentation box and the case for the sunnies was a really nice leather semi-hard case. The leather feels like butter

Hautelook is also a good option, especially during the warmer months. I've seen gucci and fendi go for as much as 70% off.

Just checked out the site you noted and there are some great sales - under $200 for designer brands.

I have Chanel, Chloe, Fendi, and Prada and they're totally worth the money especially because the cases that come with them are extremely durable. It's also good to keep a cheap pair for when you travel.

Thanks for the response. I found a pair of Chanel at the boutique that I really liked but Prada and Gucci also seem to have a great selection for less at last call and off fifth!

 

[H Ever After]

I agree that “designer” sunglasses seem to be more durable and last longer for me. I gave up on “cheap” sunglasses after my Tommy Hilfiger ones fell apart. Granted, they still lasted longer than the ones from Loft and Banana. My designer pairs are still going strong after several years. I predominantly have Chanels but my daily workhorse pair is from Tiffany, and I have a sporty pair from Oakley. My husband has a few Ray-bans which have held up quite nicely as well.

I’ve dropped my Tiffany pair and accidentally knocked them off my head before onto concrete/asphalt, and they’re still fine. I carry small bags so I never bring the hard carry case which I find too large and bulky. I usually put them in a soft drawstring bag before I toss them in my bag. I prefer the soft microfiber ones from Oakley that can double as a lens wipe

Another argument for designer sunglasses is the ability to repair/restore them. One of my Chanel sunglasses is white and had developed some areas of minor discoloration. I had purchased this pair about 10 years ago from a department store. Just earlier this year I brought it in to a Chanel boutique, and they sent my sunglasses in for repair - they were very kind and did not charge me because they believed it was due to a defect in the coating. My 10 year-old Chanel sunglasses now look as good as the day I purchased them!

 

[sdkitty]

I agree that “designer” sunglasses seem to be more durable and last longer for me. I gave up on “cheap” sunglasses after my Tommy Hilfiger ones fell apart. Granted, they still lasted longer than the ones from Loft and Banana. My designer pairs are still going strong after several years. I predominantly have Chanels but my daily workhorse pair is from Tiffany, and I have a sporty pair from Oakley. My husband has a few Ray-bans which have held up quite nicely as well.

I’ve dropped my Tiffany pair and accidentally knocked them off my head before onto concrete/asphalt, and they’re still fine. I carry small bags so I never bring the hard carry case which I find too large and bulky. I usually put them in a soft drawstring bag before I toss them in my bag. I prefer the soft microfiber ones from Oakley that can double as a lens wipe

Another argument for designer sunglasses is the ability to repair/restore them. One of my Chanel sunglasses is white and had developed some areas of minor discoloration. I had purchased this pair about 10 years ago from a department store. Just earlier this year I brought it in to a Chanel boutique, and they sent my sunglasses in for repair - they were very kind and did not charge me because they believed it was due to a defect in the coating. My 10 year-old Chanel sunglasses now look as good as the day I purchased them!

same here with the soft microfiber pouches....I don't want the bulky case taking up room in my bag. I actually have a pair of RX sunnies that I keep in a hard case in the car when I'm not wearing them. My expensive non-RX ones I keep in a soft pouch when I take them off if I'm not at home. I should really get RX lenses for them but the lenses are gradient and more expensive so I haven't done it yet.

 

[LVLoveaffair]

I used cheap drugstore sunglasses for years! I have blue eyes and any kind of glare really bothers me so I wear them every day all year round. I can't stand anything pressing into my head or digging in behind the ears so I typically choose glasses with very thin arms- thin metal, not plastic. I'm addicted to Ray Bans. I have four pairs and I got the warranty on all of them. My newest pair ended up getting little "pits" and scratches from sand blowing in the air and I got the lenses replaced for free! The quality is great. And after getting polarized lenses, it's so hard to go back to regular. I paid $225 for my most recent pair and last year for some reason, my vision insurance covered the entire cost.I go to Target Optical- I've found them to be the cheapest where I live.

 

[jyyanks]

I agree that “designer” sunglasses seem to be more durable and last longer for me. I gave up on “cheap” sunglasses after my Tommy Hilfiger ones fell apart. Granted, they still lasted longer than the ones from Loft and Banana. My designer pairs are still going strong after several years. I predominantly have Chanels but my daily workhorse pair is from Tiffany, and I have a sporty pair from Oakley. My husband has a few Ray-bans which have held up quite nicely as well.

I’ve dropped my Tiffany pair and accidentally knocked them off my head before onto concrete/asphalt, and they’re still fine. I carry small bags so I never bring the hard carry case which I find too large and bulky. I usually put them in a soft drawstring bag before I toss them in my bag. I prefer the soft microfiber ones from Oakley that can double as a lens wipe

Another argument for designer sunglasses is the ability to repair/restore them. One of my Chanel sunglasses is white and had developed some areas of minor discoloration. I had purchased this pair about 10 years ago from a department store. Just earlier this year I brought it in to a Chanel boutique, and they sent my sunglasses in for repair - they were very kind and did not charge me because they believed it was due to a defect in the coating. My 10 year-old Chanel sunglasses now look as good as the day I purchased them!

I’m sold! There’s a sunglass hut outlet near where I am this week so am going to make a trip.

same here with the soft microfiber pouches....I don't want the bulky case taking up room in my bag. I actually have a pair of RX sunnies that I keep in a hard case in the car when I'm not wearing them. My expensive non-RX ones I keep in a soft pouch when I take them off if I'm not at home. I should really get RX lenses for them but the lenses are gradient and more expensive so I haven't done it yet.

I had a great soft leather pouch a few years ago from Hermes. I’ve since sold it but now wish I kept it.

I used cheap drugstore sunglasses for years! I have blue eyes and any kind of glare really bothers me so I wear them every day all year round. I can't stand anything pressing into my head or digging in behind the ears so I typically choose glasses with very thin arms- thin metal, not plastic. I'm addicted to Ray Bans. I have four pairs and I got the warranty on all of them. My newest pair ended up getting little "pits" and scratches from sand blowing in the air and I got the lenses replaced for free! The quality is great. And after getting polarized lenses, it's so hard to go back to regular. I paid $225 for my most recent pair and last year for some reason, my vision insurance covered the entire cost.I go to Target Optical- I've found them to be the cheapest where I live.

Ray-Bans have quite the following! I did go to Costco and they had a couple of pairs for $75 but none that fit my face well. I’m headed to Sunglass Hut to see what they have.

 

[caramelize126]

ooh what a great thread! I keep a couple of pairs of cheapo sunglasses for trips/evenings where i know things might get rowdy and they might get lost. There is definitely a difference in the quality of the lenses between cheaper and designer sunglasses.

I had a pair of Gucci sunglasses that just broke after 8 years of hard use. This was totally my fault as i threw them in my bag without the case and something heavy was accidentally placed on top of my bag. I bought those on sale at nordstrom for about $120. Obviously totally worth it for the amount of use and they were my absolute favorite.

I think designer sunglasses are worth it, but i dont think its necessary to spend $500+ unless you really really love it. I've found great sunglasses ( burberry, gucci, prada, dior) for under $150 at the Saks/NM outlets and nordstrom rack.
Also, I've had a great experience with sites like Pretavoir and Jomashop. The only downside is that returning is a pain, but the prices are great.

Also, Le Spec is very reasonably priced with great styles and good quality.