Why Buy Designer Sunglasses?

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Buy what suits your budget and your aesthetic. I wear sun glasses a lot. For many, many years, I’ve have bought frames at Morganthal Frederics (an optician boutique with multiple branches) bc they are comfortable, stylish and durable plus i can get my prescription with bells and whistles (anti glare, progressive etc etc) put in them. Also important, I get a professional opinion on fit and shape and size from store professionals who themselves are usually avid eyewear collectors who also know my taste and collection. I personally would not buy most fashion designer sunglasses bc many come from the same large manufacturer and I am not fond of logos. My DH loves horn eyeglass frames etc, so it’s something we like to shop for together. As for price, my prescription is pricy (currently about 1100 usd just for the lenses, and so are the frames. So, a pair of glasses or sunglasses can be comparable to a few CSGM. in horn or an exotic material, the cost of an H wallet. Needless t say, I try to be careful with my glasses and keep them inside the case when they are not on my head. They do last for years and I wear ones that are twenty years old or more.
 
I used to buy designer sunglasses with prescription lenses and wear them for 5+ years, but prices for a new pair are no more justified for me.
Now I’m wearing Rayban aviator and Persol Steve McQueen, I find them to be classic styles at an affordable price
 
Most designer sunglasses brands are owned by the two eyewear giants Luxottica and Safilo and manufactured in China. Whilst the smaller independent eyewear brands don't have the name recognition of the larger brands, quality-wise they tend to be much better and (generally) less expensive too. Cubitts, Archibald London and Kirk Originals are good brands in the UK and I hear that Salt Optics in the US are very good quality but I don't have direct experience of them myself.
 
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Most designer sunglasses brands are owned by the two eyewear giants Luxottica and Safilo and manufactured in China. Whilst the smaller independent eyewear brands don't have the name recognition of the larger brands, quality-wise they tend to be much better and (generally) less expensive too. Cubitts, Archibald London and Kirk Originals are good brands in the UK and I hear that Salt Optics in the US are very good quality but I don't have direct experience of them myself.

It's not wrong to have specialist eyewear companies make glasses for brands, there is obviously a range of quality inside businesses like Luxottica. Many top brands have exclusive (and often more expensive) sunglasses that they will only sell in their own stores whilst selling other more commercial lines through third parties.

Linda Farrow is another company that makes for many designers and they are usually very good quality.

Cutler and Gross are also a great eyewear company.

Usually, I'm more into vintage shades, particularly Jean Paul Gautier, Alain Mikli and Cazal but I bought 3 pairs of Gucci in the last 2 years. One pair I love from 2018(?) and the other 2 from last year I couldn't choose between and so bought them both. Comapred to the vintage examples I think they're overpriced but I am wearing them and enjoying so at least price per wear is low.
 
It's not wrong to have specialist eyewear companies make glasses for brands, there is obviously a range of quality inside businesses like Luxottica. Many top brands have exclusive (and often more expensive) sunglasses that they will only sell in their own stores whilst selling other more commercial lines through third parties.

Linda Farrow is another company that makes for many designers and they are usually very good quality.

Cutler and Gross are also a great eyewear company.

Usually, I'm more into vintage shades, particularly Jean Paul Gautier, Alain Mikli and Cazal but I bought 3 pairs of Gucci in the last 2 years. One pair I love from 2018(?) and the other 2 from last year I couldn't choose between and so bought them both. Comapred to the vintage examples I think they're overpriced but I am wearing them and enjoying so at least price per wear is low.

Never been a Cazal fan personally but I can see the appeal. Cutler and Gross make excellent frames. Mykita too, and ic! berlin. Ah, so many frames, so little time (and money!)
 
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I live in SoCal and wear sunglasses every time I step outside. Since they get a lot of use I don’t mind paying up for a nice pair. I also feel they are made better. My favorites are my LV Millionaires and LV My Fair Ladies.
That being said I horseback ride and swim nearly everyday so I have a few cheap sunglasses ($10-25) to throw on for that kind of stuff. I had a nice pair of Raybans that my horse stepped on so I learned my lesson...
 
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I wear sunglasses often and choose designer for a better fit, better quality of the frames (usually but I've had my fair share of flimsy frames), usually I can find styles that appeal to me and for the aesthetic overall. I like simple bags but enjoy sunglasses that are a bit blingy or have a more unique design. My favourite pairs are from Bulgari Gucci Olivers People and Lanvin.

Also I am conscious to take care of them and not scratch the frames. A case always comes with me and never would you see me wearing them on top of my head.
 
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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 :sad:

OMG, really cheaper sunglasses( something you buy at MANGO or guess has better protection than designper sunglasses?
didnt know that, my most expensive pair is a classic aviator RayBans but my other two ones are from Massimo Dutti pretty sturdy have to say and another pair from MANGO.

anyway it’s not worth buying designer sunglasses when you can get a classic ray bans for less.
and did you know many designer sunglasses are made by Luxotica the same company which makes ray ban.

sunglasses are made mostly by 3 companie: Safilo, Markolin and Luxottica. The last one being the biggest group not only owning brands but owning stores.
did you know the owners of sunglass hut are the same guys who make Ray Ban, Chanel and Prada sunglasse.
 
OMG, really cheaper sunglasses( something you buy at MANGO or guess has better protection than designper sunglasses?
didnt know that, my most expensive pair is a classic aviator RayBans but my other two ones are from Massimo Dutti pretty sturdy have to say and another pair from MANGO.

anyway it’s not worth buying designer sunglasses when you can get a classic ray bans for less.
and did you know many designer sunglasses are made by Luxotica the same company which makes ray ban.

sunglasses are made mostly by 3 companie: Safilo, Markolin and Luxottica. The last one being the biggest group not only owning brands but owning stores.
did you know the owners of sunglass hut are the same guys who make Ray Ban, Chanel and Prada sunglasse.

RayBan is a reputable brand, known for sunglasses. Designer sunglasses like Chanel, Gucci, etc are licensed names to the manufacturing companies you mentioned, they aren't produced in the fashion houses.
 
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I used to have more sunnies, but I'm down to 3 pairs. Prada and Ferragamo were gifted to me. I loved them, I don't wear them as much as the styles aren't really on trend at the moment. The Ferragamo were from 9 years ago, Prada was from 7 years ago. They're classic enough that no one will care. Gentle Monster is the one I purchased myself two years ago and they're great. I used to have a Le Spec and a few Quay ones but they're more fashion sunnies, the kinds you'd see at music festivals.
 
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