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If there’s one accessory that’s useful all year round, it’s sunglasses. However, as practical and reliable as they are, it remains difficult to buy them. Luxury brands offer great styles but often come at a premium price, while more affordable sunglasses don’t offer the high quality that makes a pair of sunglasses last a lifetime.
Luckily, it’s a good time for eyewear, with direct-to-consumer brands and collaborations popping up every day. This also means that there are an abundance of deals that make it difficult to find affordable, stylish, and high-quality glasses.
Ahead, we’ve compiled the most popular sunglasses brands based on a budget, preferred purchasing method, and stylish eyewear set.
Barton Perreira
Courtesy of Barton Perreira
Founded by Bill Barton and Patty Perreira, the brand is the result of their shared experiences in optometry and design respectively. The styles are made in Japan, with the brand saying a single pair can take weeks to complete and sell in its stores in New York, Colorado, Montana and Missouri. While the brand may forgo trendier styles, it delivers on the classics: the Chevalier Sun is a tried-and-true aviator style, while the Coquette is a moody black take on the go-to cat eye.
Dock
Courtesy of Quay
One of the hottest sunglasses brands, this Australian-founded brand is known for its ultra-trendy versions of glasses. With celebrity collaborations with everyone from SZA and Saweetie to Jennifer Lopez, the brand offers almost every eyewear style under the sun. But she is best known for her maxi sunglasses and reflective lenses. Although they’re celebrity-approved, they’re still affordable, with most pairs falling between $75 and $95.
The Specs
Courtesy of Specs
A proven brand, Le Specs is one of the most recognizable eyewear brands today. Founded in 1979, the brand is loved by, among others, Beyoncé, Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner. The brand is also continuing its eco-friendly efforts with its Take 3 for the Sea initiative, which, according to its website, donates $3 for every purchase of its sustainable line, made from recyclable materials . Past collaborations include Ian Charms, Missoma and Adam Selman.
DMY Studios
Courtesy of DMY Studios
This British brand was founded in 2018 and has since become one of the most sought-after eyewear brands, counting Hailey Bieber and Sofia Richie among its fans. The brand is known for its 90s aesthetic with narrow frames and lighter lenses. Although they come at a higher price (models start at $230), the frames are made from a plant-based material rather than plastic, unlike most eyewear brands available.
Thierry Lasry
Courtesy of Thierry Lasry
Named after its founder, Thierry Lasry first launched in 2006 and has since launched collaborations with luxury brands like Fendi and Acne. Lasry’s initial love of glasses came from his parents, designers and opticians. Worn by celebrities like Maluma, Rihanna and Madonna, the brand’s frames are original and colorful, ranging from $415 to $510. Some of the brand’s signature sunglasses include the Gambly, a maxi round model with a thick frame, and the Acidity, an oval-shaped number with funky color combinations.
Bru Glasses
Courtesy of Bru Glasses
Launched in 2022 by designer Paige Brubaker, the Californian brand is known for its 90s and 2000s frames that feature sharp color contrasts and futuristic elements. The unisex brand counts Hailey and Justin Bieber among its celebrity clientele. Small batch versions are affordably priced, with models selling for under $150.
Modo Glasses
Courtesy of Modo Glasses
Launched in 1990, Modo Eyewear is known for its minimalist eyewear and sunglasses designs. Made from polarized HCD nylon, the products come in packaging created from cornstarch, a move the brand hopes will result in less waste. Its classic styles are practical for those who want to forgo trendy silhouettes and focus on staples like cat-eye frames and vintage-inspired glasses.
Vada
Courtesy of Vada
A subset of Vada Jewelry, the brand’s eyewear line is just as fashionable and statement-making. Launched in 2020, the line is known for its bold and colorful frames made in Japan. Celebrities like Bad Bunny, Usher and Leon Bridges, who have recently collaborated with the label, are among the brand’s fans. Some of its best-selling models include the Siren and Futuro.
If you’re looking for summer shades, here are some styles to try:
- Cat Eye Sunglasses: The classic style is one of the most popular eyewear trends of 2024, with modern touches like rimless versions trending this summer.
- Maxi Sunglasses: After Y2K, the oversized sunglasses of the late 2000s are back. Maxi styles with square or oval shapes are the ones to adopt in the 2020s.
- Futuristic Sunglasses: If your sunglasses look straight out of 2500, you’re doing something right. Bright colored lenses, face-covering silhouettes, and shiny textures are all incorporated into this trend.
- Metal Frame Sunglasses: Retro style comes in all sorts of forms this year, with cat-eye and round glasses being the go-to silhouettes this year.
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