Polo PH3050 – $150.00 | Ray Ban New Wayfarer – (found for $40) $119.00
What do you do when something looks 30% better than your second option, but also costs almost four times as much?
I lost a pair of Cole Haan Sunglasses about a month ago. They were my go-to pair for when I was in a suit. I’ve been working off my chunky Bauhaus Black Smith’s since then, and I knew I was stretching the style usage for the Smith’s the entire time. Then I spotted a post by Barron from TheEffortlessGent.com. It was about suits, sunglasses, and the misuse of the sporty style of shades. I knew I was breaking a rule with the Smiths (wearing them with suits on occasion), but the post from Barron got me off my rear and out the door.
30 minutes into trying on sunglasses at my local outlet mall Sunglass Hut, I had it down to two distinctly different pairs. Here they are, with the pros and cons of each, with the final outcome after that…
Pair #1 – Polo Ralph Lauren PH3050 – $150.00
The Pros: The wire frames will work with any suit. They’re the Perfect shape, retro but with modern sharp styling. I love the bend in the nose piece. Not straight across but dips just enough. And major points for the subtle logo on the side and upper left lens
The Cons: They’re really damn expensive. But as long as I don’t lose them, (fingers crossed) I could be wearing them for the next decade.
.
Pair #2 – Ray Ban New Wayfarer – $119.00
The Pros: The New Wayfarer is light years ahead of the classic wayfarer. These are a perfect mix of retro style without the bulky blockyness of the original. The tortoise shell pattern is much darker in real life. It’s noticeable, but not too bold. As for price, that was unbeatable. The pair I found was only $40 (!!!) because of some tiny scratch I couldn’t and still can’t see.
Cons: I had gone in looking for wire frames. It’s tough to find a pair of sunglasses that fit my face perfectly, and althouogh the Raybans were a really good fit, the Ralph Lauren pair were even better. Plus, they’re not super trendy, but… they’re kind of trendy.
The Verdict:
I reluctantly handed over my debit card and watched as the saleswoman swiped away $150 . I had gone for it. Big time. She handed me the Polos and the accompanying case, and I put them on as I walked out the door. My car key turned in the ignition, I drove out of the parking lot, and quickly pulled over to the side of the road.
What the hell was I thinking. We had just gotten a car out of the shop, we were about to take a week long vacation, and I had just spent $150 on sunglasses when an almost equally good looking pair was sitting there for $40?
I wheeled the car around, parked in front of the store and walked back in. The saleswoman said: “Second thoughts?” I told her I wanted the Ray-Bans. She replied: “Not the first time someone has changed their mind that quick.”
So did I make the right choice? Or would you have stuck with the original Polos?
 |
The Polos are pretty nice! I’d go with both (can’t go wrong with the Ray Bans for $40)
I wouldn’t spend that kind of money on sunglasses by Cole Hann or Polo. Look at Maui Jim Lighthouse (frame-less) for stellar glasses that go with anything from suits to trunks, plus they are actually good glasses. Sadly their wayfarer and aviator styles are $200+. For classic aviator check out the Serengeti Aviators $100-160, excellent photochromatic glass. I prefer the Serengeti Merano to the Ray Ban wayfarer, but then my face doesn’t work with Wayfarers.
This is entirely a matter of personal preference, but even though they’re saturating the market now I feel like you can’t beat wayfarers. They go with anything and considering your sense of style, I think pulling off tortoise shell would be a breeze, especially since the pattern stands out against all the black wayfarers out there. Plus you can walk around pretending you’re Bob Dylan/in Resevoir Dogs/JFK/the guitarist for [your favorite band].
There’s something to be said for the old adage about paying for the one you want and only crying once. They both look good, but are you going to always be kicking yourself and asking “what if” and regretting your decision?
I tried a pair of the large wayfarers on (new and old models) and it looks like costume sunglasses on my face with the large corners hanging off. Then I tried on some Persols and they fit perfectly and looked really nice. The problem is that both the pairs of Persols are 300+. Anyone have any alternative to persols that are in a better price range? (Model 714 and 649)?
A while ago, Joe recommended Club Monaco as a Persol-like alternative. I’m not sure if they match the specific models you were looking at, but they are much more reasonably priced and good looking too.
Dappered: Club Monaco Sunglasses
I’m on this site way too much >.< haha 🙂
I would have gone with the Ray Bans as well as I like their retro look. Question: Where did you find them for $40?
@Reinaldo: A Sunglass Hut location at an outlet mall. I think it was a needle in a haystack sort of find because they were marked down so low due to a scratch in the lens. Which I still really can’t see unless you hold it in the right light. And it’s way off to one side too. Sunglass Hut outlets are interesting because they’re 50% clearance/outlet material, and 50% new stock. Try your local outlet mall, see if they have a Sunglass Hut location, and ask if they have “seconds” or other lightly damaged pairs. I was surprised these got thrown in that pile.
There’s a sunglass hut “outlet” which also have cheaper but out of season shades that I guess didn’t really sell. But there’s some ok options. I’ve always liked the wayfarers but recently EVERYBODY has them. Its ridiculous. And to be honest when you wear wayfarers with a suit you’re entering a very gray area where you can appear to be an extra for reservoir dogs OR blues bros.
I laid off my wayfarers for a bit (recently kept getting comments that I looked like a young Dylan) and am planning to get some carreras which are a black and look awesome with a suit. They are about $100..not too bad. But anyway, I would go with the Polo if I had to choose and had the money.
I also saw yesterday on Gilt a good variety of nice shades. I don’t remember the brand anymore but I remember they made the shades for Neo in the matrix. Good options and also a little more than $100.(regularly priced at $400)
@Chris: Didn’t even catch that on Gilt yesterday. Went back and looked, sure enough. Blinde shades. I’ll say this about my purchase. I’d never in a million years go for classic wayfarers. But these new wayfarers are much more slimmed down. They blend in much better.
I have 1 reason and 1 reason alone that I will always take the Wayfarers over most anything. No nose pads. I hate nose pads. My prescription glasses are going to the wayside and getting replaced with some tortoise shell glasses that are pad-less.
I have a pair of Ray-Ban tortoise shell prescription glasses, though not wayfarers more rectangular. I love them and they feel high quality and have held up well.
Check these.
http://www.primermagazine.com/2009/field-manual/square-framed-aviator
Don Draper style.