TOMS Classic 101 Sunglasses – $135.00
Well known for their “One for One” shoes program (you buy a pair, they give a pair to a child in need), TOMS recently expanded their give-back business into sunglasses. And it looks like they’ve nailed it.
With a purchase of TOMS sunglasses, TOMS and the Seva Foundation will help provide someone in need with either medical treatment for a sight threatening condition, a pair of prescription glasses, or contribute towards their sight saving surgery.
In return, you get a pair of Italian made sunglasses with hand painted, striped temples. And the Classic 101s are pretty darn close to the slimmed down Ray Ban New Wayfarer (not the bulky/thick 80s version).
They feel extremely well built and the 5 barrel stainless hinges are the real deal. There’s multiple frame/lens/temple stripe combinations to pick from, and although it’s a small detail, those sporty painted temples really jump. Lenses come in either gray gradient (pictured) your standard green gray, or a solid brown.
They’re not quite as wide as the Ray Ban New Wayfarers, so if you’ve got a larger head (like me) you might want to steer clear. While just a tick down in width, it was noticeable enough that Mrs. Dappered said: “I like the width of your Ray-Bans on your face a little better.”
$135 is a lot to spend on one pair of sunglasses. But if you’re the type who splurges on well made accessories, and also likes the idea of being a (very) small part in giving back to a bigger group?
These are certainly one of the best looking ways to go about doing both.
Pet peeve, but a reasonable one: You’re not giving *back*, you’re just giving. It’s charity (of a sort), not restitution for theft. I don’t know where this phrase comes from, but it seems rooted in the foolish notion that wealth is zero-sum, and if you got some, you took it from others, rather than the vastly more reasonable situation where you created the wealth through exchange.
My New Wayfarers just arrived the other day, but this could make me reconsider. Although, is it just me, or do the TOMS lenses look more like eyeglasses than sunglasses?
As to the aesthetics; I was looking at a pair of Persol 2953’s last night. I settled on that style after quite a bit of looking, having decided that I love the look of Persol’s w/ that silver arrow detail at the hinge. Anyone interested in the general style of these Tom’s/RB Ways should def check out persol (pick any pair up in store; they feel a heck of a lot more substantial and quality than a lot of other brands).
It’s more from the Christian sense that you were blessed with wealth and success – even from a secular perspective, you certainly hit the genetic jackpot if you were born in a developed country with access to free, public education and quality health care. While something of a rabbit trail, we also all benefit from the depressed wages and poor living conditions of the people who produce many of our products. It’s almost impossible to ensure that products we buy were produced by people paid a fair wage in reasonably safe conditions. So our relative wealth is often built either directly or indirectly on the backs of the impoverished.
Yeah, I know that line of reasoning, but it doesn’t hold up to even a cursory glance through an economic lens…but maybe that’s just my libertarian priors coming out.
With all due respect, here’s another pet peeve: It’s just a saying. There was no intent to make anyone feel like they owe anything. C’mon.
I think it’s the gradient lenses on these that make them look more like eyeglasses. As far as the stripe explanation goes, yeah… I’m with you there… it’s a little sappy. But the stripes are pretty cool none the less.
Certainly to the former. I have a libertarian bent myself, though I don’t have any pretense about acknowledging that I enjoy relatively inexpensive clothing because of sweatshop labor even though exploitation and false choices are not really consistent with that libertarian ideology. Either way, I’m not in a position to make sure all my khakis are from Bill’s and my shirts from American Apparel (well, maybe $60 isn’t too much), but that’s opportunity cost right there and choosing the less expensive clothing arguably benefits me financially. I should qualify that I’m not trying to adopt a holier-than-thou approach or expecting to guilt trip anyone into anything; I’m just recognizing that I benefit from labor exploitation.
And here I’ve ruined a perfectly good comment thread by delving into politics. My apologies.
Regardless of the explanation, I love the stripes. Its a little detail that stands out and separates them from the typical aviators. That along with the wood temples.
Ive been shopping around for a nice pair but nothing stood out or was different. Ray Ban aviators are class but boring, and Ive looked at a few other pairs that I liked but maybe stood out TOO much to wear with conservative work attire.
These fit the bill with enough to stand out while remaining a classic style. Preferred gold avaitors, but went with the silver and grey tips to be a bit understated
I definitely think you’re right, Joe, about the “more harm than good.” That said, it is difficult, when you’ve had a realization that’s vastly changed your perspective on life, to not talk about it. I feel like less of a human when I just keep my mouth shut about all the things that just don’t line up with what I know, so I try to walk a line that acknowledges the inconsistencies between what I know and what I see, verbally, without being so dogmatic that it annoys people who haven’t broached the topic.
Sometimes I succeed, hopefully most times, and create some new thinking. Sometimes I bother the host of an immensely helpful blog.
I’m not bothered. Just trying to keep the bumper stickerization of the comments section down.
I love Persols as well. They fit my somewhat long, narrow face quite well. Usually aviators are off limits–not so with Persols.
Warby Parker has been operating by this same “Buy one, give one” philosophy ever since they existed. Much longer than TOMS has been doing it. FURTHERMORE, Warby Parker’s are only $95 a pair. They’ll also send five frames to your house to try on and return before you buy.
I’d suggest everyone give Warby Parker a glance before putting down the cash on these
Cool. I knew about WP, but didn’t know about the “buy one, give one” part.
I’m definitely more inclined to buy a pair (or two) now.
With regard to the gradient, is it just an optical illusion or do they block less light?
True story. I’m wearing my Warby Parker glasses right now, and they are by far the best frames I’ve ever had (even better than the $300+ designer lenses I’ve rocked before).
I won’t be buying anything from TOMs since finding out yesterday that they are partnering with Focus on the Family. Yuck.
http://jezebel.com/5819435/why-is-toms-partnering-with-an-anti+gay-anti+choice-group
While the TOMS look nice, I think I would be more inclined to go with Warby Parker’s new sunglasses that team with Invisible Children (so you get the same feel good sensation that you bought a pair and a portion of the proceeds is donated to Invisible Children) and the best part is that Warby Parker’s can be prescription (and are $40 cheaper). I got my regular glasses from WP and love them. www.warbyparker.com
the wp’s have a “small face” look, to me…maybe I’m off on that one. giant-melon-heads like me have tried one too many pairs of cool looking glasses/hats and then been disappointed; we’re skeptical.
“giving back” comes from the idea that we are all a community that depends on one another. Elsewise we wouldnt have made it out of the wild. Thus, what you have is a result of this community, and what you give is, yes, a sense of restitution to this selfsame community. You did not create the wealth. You have merely redirected it within the singularity.