Buying sunglasses to last a few years - suggestions please

[Jemster]

It's my birthday next month and I'd like to get some decent quality sunglasses that can last me a few years. I guess I'm after a classic kind of style that won't be out of date by next summer.

I have never spent more than a tenner on sunglasses so would like some ideas on styles and places to buy that are not too expensive. Budget around £100. I am quite petite with brown highlighted hair if that affects what styles will suit me. Thanks for any suggestions.

Ran Ban at Tesco start at £90. Classic styles.

Raybans.
I bought a pair last year @£125 and they are great. I always had cheap £20 from Monsoon in the past and the difference is amazing.
Stylish, sturdy...and at that price I make sure I look after them.

Wear them all year round if bright sun, as my eyes weep in sunshine even in December.

I bought some £120 Ray Bans a few years ago. And lost them that year!

From now on, lots of cheap under £5 pairs so it isn't painful if they do go missing. Advantage: you can have a pair to match almost any outfit!

I have lovely designer sunglasses from TK Max, my fave pair is "Police" and a Calvin Klein pair.

Much cheaper than £100

Check them out.

I'd also recommend raybans. I used to sit on my accessorize pairs (by accident!) and they never lasted, but I've had my raybans for years. Lots of different styles to choose from, but the black wayfarer is my favourite and IMO a classic. I have a couple with polarized lenses which are much better in bright sunlight too. I've never paid full price for them, usually find them in duty free airports or on brandalley or asos with a student discount.

Another one for ray bans.

Here is the Tesco link

www.tescoopticians.com/Sunglasses/

I had some wonderful Tom Ford sunglasses that got sat on by a small child at a play date, not even my own dc. They were ruined and now I never spend more than £30. Still traumatised!

I love Tom Ford as they're super light so don't hurt your face if you wear them all day. But perhaps I just have a very sensitive face

You really need to go to a good opticians or dept store and try loads on to find the right style. But then go and google them as you can normally always find them a lot cheaper online.

I used to sell Ray Bans and their selling point was that the lenses were made to the same optical standard as your reading glasses, then they changed ownership and they became more about fashion than lens quality. They are now no better than a typical designer pair.
I'd suggest Maui Jim -they have fabulous customer service and run a repair service or Serengeti. They have the most stunningly comfortable lenses. Brown lens will give a sharper focus. But it's also worth looking at a Polarised lens with a more wrap around style, if glare is a problem.
Of course if it is just about the look you are going for then none of this really matters.

Thank you slackgardener.

I was thinking of getting new Ray Bans. I wear 2140's and they are lovely.

Yesterday I tried on the newer, smaller shape in Tesco. They 2132 and the quality is not the same as they used to be.

They were very small framed which didn't suit me.

Buy a good quality case (or glasses that come with one). It needs to be hard and sturdy, not a little fabric pocket or similar. DH buys new sunglasses every year because he is feckless because he sits on them/loses them/scratches them in a pocket etc. Mine are pristine because they live in their case, have been going strong for 3 years already and will continue to do so.

Also, in terms of style, get a pair that suit your face shape. Opticians is a must I reckon. I am a glasses wearer and would never buy glasses because they're fashionable-they have to sit on my face every single day and practically become part of my face. It's imperative they actually suit me. Same goes for sunglasses I think, though I know lots of people (possibly those who don't need prescriptions) are happier to buy according to trend.

Oh, lastly-in a good opticians you will have the choice of ALL the frames and could have dark lenses put in. Mine are Donna Karen regular glasses that have dark (UV appropriate etc) lenses.

I second Serengeti. I've had Serengeti ones, so incredibly comfortable, excellent lenses. Stunningly comfortable, as skackgardener says. I have taken v good care of them, i love them so much, and they are now old and unfashionable but they are so good I'm finding hard to retire them. I need to replace them and I can't do cheapo lenses. It's difficult to find good lenses in fashionavle frames. The difference in wearing good lenses and poor lenses is huge. Maui Jim's are v good, on a par with Serengeti AFAIK.

sunglasses are a consumable if you are active - you shouldn't push them up on your head when you go indoors/sun goes in but unless you want to carry a bag all the time, there's no choice. So they break in a year or two.

they should wrap round a bit for eye protection. Make sure they are at least cat 3 - I don't think you get 'fashion' sunnies in the UK any more but do check.

avoid naff sparkles, someone else's name on them, gaps in the frames which will get dirty and so on.

I have had ray-bans for 25 years..... Nothing has come close..ever

The other thing I meant to say is that my Maui Jim have a glass lens which takes huge amounts of abuse without scratching, unlike plastic lens. The glasses are so well made that they don't feel heavy or unbalanced on my face. After 5 years of wear and one drop too many, one of the lenses finally shattered. While they were in for repair they noticed my frame was showing signs of wear and they replaced it for free.

Slackgardener I have Maui Jims prescription sunglasses but have had my eyes lasered. Is there anywhere in U.K. That I could get the lenses changed? The opticians in Ireland said it couldn't be done.

I also had non prescription Maui Jims but sadly lost them. I either left them on a counter in a showroom or they fell out of my lap as I got out of the car. I am loathe ( and too poor) to buy expensive sunglasses since.

Ray bans. I've had mine a few years now. Also fendi from tk max.

I've had Gucci, Chanel, marc jacobs, jimmy choo and Tiffany ones that have all broken really quickly, bits like the nose grip fall off etc. so sticking to ray ban and fendi.

Ray bans

holly there is a Maui Jim repair centre in Guildford.

I'd suggest you phone them to discuss what you need 0800 9801770. I'd be surprised if you couldn't replace your lenses, because they passionately believe in their products lasting a lifetime. They charged me £40 to replace the lenses and didn't charge me anything to replace my frame.

Thank you so much Slack. Definitely my opticians said I could not get the lenses replaced( and I tried two different Maui Jim stockists). Lazy arses!!! I shall ring that supplier in Guildford.
I had two pairs of MJims- one pair prescription and one non prescription. I lost the non prescription ones and couldn't afford to buy a new pair. They are expensive in Ireland ( as are most things, she mutters sadly)

They are very expensive, but I think they are worth it. When I broke the lens on my first pair, I tried to get by using a pair of standard sunnies and I really struggled with the glare, it made buying the second pair a lot easier. Second pair broke when a cabinet fell on top of them. Both are now repaired and I have the luxury of a spare pair - just in case!

I bought mine online and got about £40 off the rrp.