Designer sunglasses

[carrottopper]

What do you have? I've been thinking about this for almost 2 years but then lockdown hit and not bought any. I was looking at Tiffany and Michael Korrs but I know they are heavily copied and look like the cheap ones you find being sold at the beach abroad. I've been looking at Chanel.

Also how do I find what shape suits me? I went to a shop today but it's hard to view them as you are wearing a mask and each pair is cleaned afterwards so felt reluctant to try lots on!!

I have Ray Bans and Maui Jims, both brands are really good quality, stay put on my sweaty face when running or hiking and have weathered a fair bit of being dropped, sat on etc. without breaking.

I was looking at the big Chanel ones. I feel like the rayban wayfarers are too masculine for my face. I was looking at £200-280 max range

Everyone saying Ray bans, can I ask why? I've been thinking about splashing out on some (I've only had cheapo high street fashion sunglasses before) but can't quite justify the price. There's nowhere I can try them on nearby so I'm looking online and wondering if they're worth the cost. What makes them different to a pair of sunglasses from say M&S?

Their a style classic @WhereAreWeNow. They’ll look good for years.

It’s like if you wanted a trench coat, you could buy one in marks or you could buy a Burberry.

One will look better for longer & you’ll look nicer.

@WhereAreWeNow iconic styles, knock offs are noticeable a mile off. Ray Bans to me are like converse, if you're going to buy basket ball type trainers you buy converse, if you're going to buy a style like wayfarers or club masters, you buy Ray bans. I do have none branded aviators I love though but I think aviators are a more universal style now.

I always buy Mykita sunglasses. The frames are handmade in Germany and the lenses are made by Leica. They're amazing. Once I discovered them (recommended by my optician in Spitalfields), they're all I wear. They're not cheap but they last forever and look super stylish without the big tacky logos.

That said, I wouldn’t go into debt. Things like this are a luxury. As long as they have UV protection it’ll do the job.

Gentle Monster / Celine

Thanks. I wasn't sure if it was about the look/style or about the quality of the lenses/better eye protection etc.

Always choose a make known for optical safety first, rather than just fashion. You only have one set of eyes.

@CeeceeBloomingdale

Bare in mind how quickly fashions change. If you want them to last you might prefer a more classic design than something that screams this season.

What would you say are the classic shapes?

I've decided on a pair of Ray bans. Where is the best place to buy them please? Directly from Ray-Ban? The price differs greatly online!

@OhHarry for me it's a toned down version. I love a cateye frame, it suits my face but I'll choose a subtle frame with a little lift at the side rather than full on 1950s style cat eyes. Big sunglasses have been popular for a while, I like oversized but wouldn't buy a huge pair of bug eyes for example if I wanted longevity from them. I'd go for a larger style aviator which I know suits me but isn't too fashiony in the sense it never really goes out of fashion. I love a butterfly frame but wouldn't spend a lot on them as I feel they will date more quickly than other styles.

Also colour, my classic glasses are tortoisehell or black, my fashion ones are peachy orange.

@ChinookPilotsGoVertical

Randolph Engineering. Suppliers to air forces & airlines worldwide. Good choice of frame colours, lens colours & sizes. Glass lenses, not plastic, they cut out glare but don't "black out" other colours, useful for driving etc.

Glad someone else has said this. Love mine!

@carrottopper prices do vary. If you find a site type in the full address on the ray ban website & you can see if they are a stockist.

I've got the Gucci GG0016S Round Sunglasses, which I wear practically every day, and another Gucci pair with enamel frames that I managed to chip very quickly. I am a sucker for Gucci shades.

[quote CeeceeBloomingdale]@OhHarry for me it's a toned down version. I love a cateye frame, it suits my face but I'll choose a subtle frame with a little lift at the side rather than full on 1950s style cat eyes. Big sunglasses have been popular for a while, I like oversized but wouldn't buy a huge pair of bug eyes for example if I wanted longevity from them. I'd go for a larger style aviator which I know suits me but isn't too fashiony in the sense it never really goes out of fashion. I love a butterfly frame but wouldn't spend a lot on them as I feel they will date more quickly than other styles.[/quote]
Thanks, that's helpful.

www.finlayandco.com/collections/womens-sunglasses Love these glasses .

Ray Bans first and foremost but I also love my Michael Kors ones. My first expensive pair were Burberry years ago, and then D & G. Off to Ashford outlet centre tomorrow so may have a look there as I've been inspired by this thread

@carrottopper dh and I buy off fashion eyewear. If you subscribe to the email list they send you a 25% off voucher or you can often find a discount code.

@WhereAreWeNow

Thanks. I wasn't sure if it was about the look/style or about the quality of the lenses/better eye protection etc.

It is also about the lenses - they are sunglasses manufacturers not fashion designers.

I have the Erikas which are more feminine than Wayfarers.

I also have Serengeti Mara.

Both polarised - agree with a pp - makes a massive difference. Best sunglasses I've ever had.

@carrottopper - you can get Raybans in Next, did you know that?

Raybans are fairly decent run of the mill sunglasses and have classic styles. I’m very fond of Persol. They are Italian and their sunglasses are not any different from the quality of their prescription glasses. I would definitely recommend them for classic style too.

Loads of places do discounted Raybans. Just put the style into the web!

I’ve got Gucci, Chanel, Persol, Alexander McQueen and loads of others. All roughly the same quality. The lenses in the Persol ones are better though.