I don’t know about you, but when I go out in the sun, I’ll only wear a pair of hugely oversized $500 Dolce & Gabbana shades so that I’m easily recognized by the paparazzi. But apparently, says the Wall Street Journal, I need not have spent my entire month’s paycheck on my designer specs.
Investigating whether or not sunglasses like my D&Gs are really worth the leopard-print plastic they’re made out of, WSJ’s Brett Arends found six things you should keep in mind before shelling out piles of cash for brand name shades.
1. Most sunglasses are made by the same company
Whatever the name on the side of the sunglasses, there’s a good chance they’re made by Italian manufacturer Luxottica. Among the brands they manufacture for are Prada, Burberry, Chanel, Polo Ralph Lauren, Paul Smith, Stella McCartney, Tiffany, Versace, Vogue, Persol, Miu Miu, Tory Burch, Donna Karan and my beloved Dolce & Gabbana.
2. In many cases, the same company is also selling you the glasses
In addition to being the shades-makers for the world, Luxottica also owns LensCrafters, Pearle Vision and Sunglass Hut. Writes Arends: “Make of it what you will. But if your financial advisor was actually employed by the mutual fund company that he recommended for your portfolio, you’d at least want to know.”
3.The markups are as big as they seem
Luxottica says its gross profit on a pair of sunglasses is $.62 on the dollar. Even after deducting sales and advertising costs, overhead and brand licensing royalties it’s still making 52 cents.
4. Those expensive sunglasses may not be any better for your eyes, either
Arends quotes a the chair of ophthalmology at Tufts University as saying that “For about $40 you can get a pair that offers 100% protection against ultra-violet rays. If you spend maybe $70 you should be able to get a pair with decent quality polarizing lenses that cut out glare. Beyond that, the medical benefits tail off pretty fast.”
5. An inexpensive pair of sunglasses from the pharmacy isn’t the worst thing in the world
According to Dr. Reza Dana, director of the cornea and refractive surgery service at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, “The main reason people wear sunglasses is to block out (regular) white light… and from that point of view, cheaper glasses work pretty well.”
6. Those fancy glasses are really costing you a lot more than you realize
Between damage, loss and keeping up-to-date with the latest styles, “these things add up. Indeed they compound. Even at, say, 4% interest, $200 a year over 50 years adds up to $30,000.”
What’s the most that you pay for sunglasses?
FYI, the folks over at Glasseyes are always blogging about ways to save on eyewear.
Are Designer Sunglasses Worth the Price? [WSJ]
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Most people here fail to realize that people buying expensive luxury goods are paying more for the exclusivity and the right to down on others. Look at me! I can afford driving a Porsche wearing D&G shades wearing Gucci with a LV bag under my arm.
Even regular glass shouldn’t cost as much as they do. I payed about 400 for mine, but they were probably assembled from things that cost very little. Apparently there exist mail order places in China that can make glasses for $15 if you have the proper sizing specs. Assuming they’re not laced with Cadmium, I hope it can bring down the prices here.
I have a pair of Oakley’s that I paid about $200. I have had many cheap glasses in the past and nothing has compared to the Oakley’s. I have had them for almost 5 years now with no problems with them.
Dollar Tree…where they’re a dollar. I can have multiple pairs in multiple colors and coordinate to all my outfits. Occasionally, I will pick up better glasses at discount stores, but I’m still not paying over $10 for a pair.
I’ve never really understood the appeal of designer sunglasses. I understand that they probably have a distinct style and quality, but most of them just aren’t worth the price. It’s a huge mark-up for a brand name alone. I’m sure I can find an equally good-looking pair for a fraction of the price. I just hope that if I do make good money at some point in my life, that I don’t lose that frugality.
I bought my $120 Ray-Bans 5 years ago. I find if I pay more for them, I keep much better track of them and don’t put them in places where they would likely break (pockets, car seats, etc).
I’ve purchased cheap glasses in the past but I find I don’t pay as much attention to them and lose them more often.
This may not work for everyone but it works for me.
I spent $100 on a pair once. Titanium frames, polarized lenses, awesome. Lost them after 2 weeks. I never pay more then $25 now. You can get fine polarized ones for $15.
The same arguments go for eyeglasses as well. I’ve got some Prada frames that I got a screamin deal on, but that normally retailed at $250. Prada, like many other frame makers, simply look at the designs available from their high volume manufacturers, pick the ones they want their label on, and mark up the price hundreds of percentage points.
That’s why my next pair of glasses is coming from http://www.warbyparker.com/
Made in the US, many of the designs appeal to me, and they’ll ship 5 pairs of frames for you to try on so that you know exactly what they look like on you before you buy.
That being said, I’m off to buy a $185 pair of raybans….
$150.00
I have a pair of Maui Jim sunglasses that I love. My hubby and I go fishing and they help with the glare off the water. They discontinued the ones I have, so I hope that last for several more years. They do have a good repair program.
My conctact lens already has UV ray protection. I don’t know how effective it is, but it’s there. I just buy cheap sunglasses.
I will continue to pay 50-60% of retail for Oakleys and love them, thx.
every two years when I get new glasses, I choose a set that comes with a custom sunglass clip-on. That’s about a $40-$60 price tag on top of my glasses, but it’s worth it for being able to clip some decent-looking shades onto my regular glasses and not look like an old man with a dollar store clip-on
Took my daughter to Costco for the eye exam and pair of glasses. It all costs around $250. We then got home, went on line and ordered a backup pair from Zenni. The backups are cuter and fit better. Of course, she did have to order them and wait a week. (Oh, wait, we did that at Costco, too.) Then we had to pay for the glasses, lenses and shipping. (Oh, did that at Costco.) Did I mention that it was $8 for the glasses and $5 for shipping? Didn’t get that at Costco!
I got some nice Fosil sunglasses with polarized lenses for under $50 while on vacation no less. A nice frame a good fit and I’m sure I could have saved a few bucks on eBay. That said there is no substitute for my Mykita Glasses. Hand made in Germany.
if you HAVE to have designer sunglasses, go to Nordstrom Rack, Off Fifth (Saks Fifth Avenue), or even TJ Maxx / Loehmanns, etc. a $250 pair of shades can be $60-$80 with the same big ugly logo on the side. the styles will be limited but at least you can satisfy your brand-craving.
Nordstrom Rack even keeps the hard cases for all the different brands in the back room and will bring out a new case for you when you check out, so everything matches!
It’s the same thing with designer hand bags; they’re often made in the same factory as the counterfeit ones, and certainly with the same materials. I try to stay within the $5-$10 range; mine are a pair of Fossil that I got at their outlet store for $10 like four years ago.
“they’re often made in the same factory as the counterfeit ones, and certainly with the same materials”
incorrect. Counterfeit bags are made in factorys that use child labor and cheap materials and workmanship.
Authentic ones are often made in China, but at corporate factories using quality materials and workmanship.
If you have a counterfeit COACH I can tell a mile away. They’re truly vile and support organized crime, child labor, and terrorism. I am not speaking in hyperbole. If it matters to you, do some research.
So the authentic ones are supporting political and freedom oppression, lead and cadmium products? Much better!
On the plus side of “Name Brand” sunglasses: Good “big” companies like Maui Jim offer a repair service that is very worthwhile, cost-wise.
Early this spring I had the “sports” frame on a pair of MJs break after 5+ years of use. I liked the way the lenses performed, so I went and bought a new pair in an aviator style, which is where I read the blurb about the repair service. Not long after I chipped the lenses in the 2nd pair (my fault, dropped onto concrete) and decided to give the repair service a try. I sent BOTH pairs in with the standard authorization form, etc. and shortly after received one brand new pair (to replace that with the broken sports frame) and new lenses in the second pair. Total cost was $70 ($10 standard repair fee + $60 for new lenses out of warranty), but this included two new hard cases (total value like $45) and some other accessories. The equivalent of two new pairs of (name brand) sunglasses for not much cash, so I was pleased. I now keep the sports lenses with my sports gear, leaving the second pair for daily use.
So yes, chasing the “next cool thing” can be expensive, but quality eyewear that you use for many years, and can repair if needed, can also be considered an investment.
While I spend a heck of a lot more on my clothing, I wear sunglasses that usually are $5 a pair and no one seems to know the difference. I am known for loosing or breaking them constantly… I am not putting money into something I won’t be able to find in a few weeks.
I got a pair of cobalt blue Rayban Wayfarer sunglasses from my Fiancee for my birthday. They were around 110.
They never ever move the slightest bit on my face, even when running around playing football/frisbee on the beach. I bought a pair of replacement lenses which were darker and polarized for about 30 bucks from an optometry store.
Lenscrafters changed the lenses out for free. Overall, they’ve been a great purchase, and the ray ban lenses (luxottica lenses) are durable and really great at reducing glare.
My sunglasses cost me about $400, but it wasn’t the frames I was paying for. I mean, they’re designer frames, because that’s pretty much eyeglasses stores sell, but most of that cost is paying for my ridiculously expensive prescription lenses. Sadly, there’s no way to cut that one.
“Engineer’s Glasses” are available at any good welding supply shop. Since they’re made for people to wear in factories, especially around welding equipment, they’re impact resistant, block U-V, are polarized, etc. etc. etc.
Many styles comes with side shields, but you can clip the rivets with a pair of side cutters.
Inexpensive, very durable, great protection, and they don’t look like the cheap crap you find on supermarket racks.
What?!? Italian manufacturer Luxottica doesn’t make Wal-Mart brands?
Lowe’s Dewalt Safety glasses. $10 and very durable. Harbor freight has the knockoff version for 2.99.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_90381-48394-DPG51-2C_0_?productId=3061993&Ntt=dewalt+safety+glasses&Ntk=i_products&pl=1¤tURL=/pl__0__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=dewalt%20safety%20glasses$y=0$x=0
Wait, you mean dollar stores aren’t the only places that sell sunglasses???
Yes designer sunglasses are expensive. Yes they’re marked up like crazy. Yes they’re made by the same company. Guess what though, this applies to fashion in general and anything that you purchase to differentiate yourself will cost you. Good thing I get sunglasses/glasses as gifts.
I spent a ton on frameless progressive prescription eyeglasses from Lenscrafters (it’s worth joining AAA for a year even if you don’t have a car to get a 50% savings at Lenscrafters). So when it came to getting sunglasses — I bought a pair of Fitovers for under $50. They work great, and you can find a pair online that will fit nicely over your glasses, whatever the shape or size.
I only wear Blue Blockers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Png-PC0ews
It’s really not about the name, the cost, or the design. It’s all about the lenses. If you buy a pr. of Foster Grant’s and put them in front of the projector lamp (at the optometrist office) and look at the letters on the wall (eye chart), you’ll see that they’re not as clear as they could be. If you do the same thing with Serengeti”s or Maui Jim’s, etc., then the letters will be considerably crisper.
The reason is that they are OPTICALLY ground lenses. The cheap, otc sunglasses are stamped out lenses which have warpage. What I have found is that the designer glasses with names such as D&G (clothes or accessory designers) are not usually of good optical quality. If you’re going to spend a lot on sunglasses, then go with the professionals who have been doing it for years. Maui, Ray Ban, Serengeti, etc. You’ll get much more bang for your buck and you’ll be seeing more clearly.
The most I’ve paid for sunglasses was 350.00 for a pair of Matsudas. They weren’t for me, they were a gift. They were Matsuda – a high-end Japanese brand – and they were originally 1200 dollars – they were discontinued and hard to find. Very nice – classic style – hard to break. But I don’t pretend for a second that they offer more protection than a 70 or 100 dollar pair. They were a unique cool gift that are much beloved by the giftee – and that’s what cost extra.
For myself, I like higher-end glasses, but I restrict myself to a max of 100 – 150. I shop close-outs etc. I’m also not in the habit of losing things. If I were, I would buy cheaper glasses – and no one would be the wiser. This being said, why don’t I just buy cheaper ones anyway? Because I like the fit of the more expensive glasses better. I’m willing to pay a little more for it. But really, After a certain price, there are diminishing returns in most areas for most items – not just glasses.
I like Oakleys. I had a pair of Razor (wore for a couple of years, then gave to my dad), Frog Skins (had for several years, then broke them), and Fives (lost maybe two years after getting them). The Fives were sent to me free from Oakley when I broke my Frog Skins.
I have been buying the cheap sunglasses for the last several years, but if I were to buy a more expensive pair, it would be Oakleys again. The Razor was my favorite. They sell for about 4 times what they originally cost on e-bay now.
Has anyone tried reading anything on the Oakley website? They use the most asinine gibberish to describe their stuff.
I just bought a really cute pair with black-and-white checkers on them for $6 on St Mark’s.
My brand is Daiso. $1.50/pair, with proper UV protection. I bought six pair the last time I was there. If I lose one or my kid breaks one, I’ve got a stockpile.
i’ve got a pair of Dior Hommes I got back in 8th grade at Saks and I still have them 7 years later, and I also have a pair of Costa del Mars I got about three years ago which I still wear as well, they’re amazing. I can’t say enough good things about Costas, they’re durable and they have great protection, better than my Diors!
1- They’re all made by the same manufacturer isn’t a good argument. These are all still top brands, and it’s like saying VW makes Audi and Porsche.
6- 50 years? I can make that argument about anything. If I drink one less cup of coffee a day I can save $360 a year, which adds up to $70,000.
And if you go through 1 a year and can’t afford it, you should not be buying things on credit.
I always wear Oakleys (typically from their military sales site a great deal if you only want black, which I do). With their distortion-free optics and impact resistance they are cheap insurance on the motorcycle.
When I first got my contact lenses back in 1998, I spent $90 on a pair of Oakleys for two reasons:
1. I was finally rid of the huge-frame 80′s glasses I was stuck with as a kid. I could finally look normal.
and
2. Turns out with contacts I have much more light sensitivity. It is fantastic at night, but during the day I had no choice but to wear sunglasses on sunny days. It was a price I happily paid.
After breaking them two years later, I switched to $5 convenience store knockoffs and never looked back.
I have a pair of Maui Jim sunglasses that I bought in Vegas on my honeymoon; this was in 1999. If I recall, I paid about $180 for them. I still use them to this day, and would not hesitate to buy another set if something were to ever happen to them.
The $5 dollar pair in the drug store don’t even compare to the build quality and style of my Maui Jims. plus, they’re polarized to reduce glare dramatically and are crystal clear. Unless you’re scatter-brain who looses things constantly then I would suggest you never buy an expensive pair.
You forgot Oakley. They also own them
I have a pair of oakleys and I consider them well worth the cost. The lens are much better quality then the lenses on any of the cheaper sunglasses that I got, they are cleared, offer less distortion and are harder to scratch. Cheap sunglasses also do not offer me the ability to switch lenses for different conditions easily. I did not buy my sunglasses for the style aspect, I bought them because they fit well and I liked the lenses.
I make my own sunglasses at home.
I’ve bought a couple pairs for close to $300. The first was a pair of Valentinos with blue lenses. I loved them. I have a photo of myself wearing them just before I lost them at a rest stop in Washington state. (I returned to the rest stop, but they were gone.) The other was a pair of Japanese-made Salt glasses. They were stolen. I have bought a lot of $150 glasses and currently have a beautiful pair of gold Gucci glasses I got on sale.
My favorite pair of glasses came from Argentina. I can’t remember the name, but it’s an Argentine company and they are made in Argentina and not sold in the U.S.
$225 for a pair of designer shades with polarized glass lenses. Coming up on two years now and they’ve got years of wear left in them. My previous pair survived five years of heavy use. My eyes (and ears, and nose) are worth it to me to buy a pair of comfortable glasses that work well.
I’ve bought premium sunglasses ONCE. Figured since I hold on to cheap sunglasses for at least a year or two I could handle the premium ones. Nope lost those in about 5 weeks. Yep, still have the same cheap ass replacement ones I bought after losing the good pair.
I have to wear them most any time I’m out during the day, so I have a good collection of pretty nice ones. I got a lot of them from Sierra Trading Post, and I don’t think I’ve ever paid more than $75.
I was a long time Oakley sunglasses fan until Oakley was bought by Luxottica as well. Oakley sunglasses and script glasses are now junk. No attention to detail. Too bad as Oakley was the last brand of anything I would “overpay” for and was glad to do it!
I have to add to all the commenters who swear by their Maui Jims. I have a pair of Maui Jims and a $30 pair of sunglasses that I alternate between (one black, one brown). I went through at least 6 of the $30 pairs in a short amount of time before my Maui Jim purchase – either the lenses got ridiculously scratched despite taking good care of them or one of the arms broke off. I am probably slightly more careful with the Maui Jims due to the price, but they are still in great shape years later. So some high-priced shades are worth it if you’re out in the sun a lot. If you just need them for driving to the mall or walking through your neighborhood, you can get away with the cheaper ones.
Full disclosure – I work for a company that owns a percentage of Maui Jim and therefore get their sunglasses for around 50% off. So I sleep a little easier about the price of my sunglasses. However, I will continue buying Maui Jims even after I move on and no longer get my discount.
I, uh, wear normal seein’ glasses that are an unusual shape. well, not so much “unusual” as “no one ever bothers making sunglasses-attachments in this really common, nerdy shape”
So, no sunglasses for me unless I don’t want the ability to see clearly more than 6″ in front of my nose. (No insurance, prescription sunglasses are too expensive for me to justify purchasing)
There are places that make custom made clip-ons. There are some independent places but you can also find an optometrist near you who uses one of the large clip on companies and they’ll trace your frame and then make you a clip on. Its pretty neat.
i already usually pay around 200-300 hundred for a pair of glasses due to ridiculously expensive lenses so paying for frames that don’t feel cheaply made is necessary, just add another 60 for transitions lenses. living in Arizona there’s no way of forgetting them since i’m somewhere around the range of blind as a bat and coke bottle thick glasses. so usually it’s a matter of searching for frames that fit my face and look decent. preferably flexable metal since they sometimes fall off. so just get the ones that will work as both sunglasses and regular glasses since i need them all of the time.
Technically I don’t pay for sunglasses, I get Rx frames with the magnetic clip-ons. Much more convenient than swapping my spectacles around. The only time I change glasses is when I go shooting, I have Rx Safeties for that.
And in a related news flash: designer jeans are made out of the same cotton as any other brand.