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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.
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![]()
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.