.
Does anyone even call them shades anymore? Probably not. Question – What’s more acceptable: referring to sunglasses as “shades”, or, calling money “lettuce”? Regardless, sunglasses are one of those things that have retreated from the cost middle ground of $40 – $100. Most are either above $100, or so cheap they look like something you got by cashing in a bunch of Kool-Aid points. The options below won’t set you back too much lettuce, bread, legal tender, yet still retain plenty of good looks without getting too trendy.
.
Banana Republic Corbin Sunglasses – $78.00
Surprisingly nice. They’ve got stronger angles than the Ray-Bans, so they look a little meaner and more substantial. By no means does that lump them into the skater/boarder thickums category. Really well proportioned, rectangular lenses, and pretty comfortable. Best for larger faces. With sales, these could become a terrific value.
Brooks Brothers Navigator & Aviator Sunglasses – $95.00
First the good news: Both look incredible. Just enough unique details to make each stand out quietly. Check out the subtle tie striping on the ear pieces of the squared off lens Navigator, and the not too gigantic sweat bar/bridge piece on the Aviators match the overall tortoise print. Now the bad news: Looks like they’re made in China, and $95 is pretty expensive. They’re on the way for an in person. Standby for that. Ships/returns free with Nordstrom.
Ray Ban New Wayfarers (RB2132) – $72 – $94.00
They retail for above $100, but keep an eye on Amazon and for accessories sales at retailers like Brooks Brothers and BlueFly, and you might be able to snag these for well under a hundred bucks. Much, much sleeker than the original wayfarer clunkfest. Plastic = more casual, but they’re certainly appropriate for dressed up affairs. If going through Amazon, make sure the sunglasses, if not sold direct by Amazon, are at least “fulfilled” by Amazon. Unless you’re on the much smaller side, most guys will want the 55mm size. First column, third row. Full review over here.
J. Crew Factory Metal and Plastic Aviators – $19.50
And they could go for as low as $13.65 during an extra 30% off sale. So the cost of shipping would start to sniff at doubling their “value.” Metal has that standard aviator shape. Plastic let’s you look like the driver without the Scorpion jacket or head stomping footwear.
Ray-Ban Caravan in Gold – $78.92 ($130)
UPDATE: Yesterday they were in the $60s, now they’re the $70s. Credit Jason with the catch. Well then. That’s the lowest I think many of us have seen these at from a legitimate source, which happens to be Overstock. Unless they’re not the real, made in Italy deal (says they are), then these are a steal.
Marc Anthony Round Sunglasses – $19.99 ($36)
Fair to say these were, um, “inspired” by the Tom Ford 108 sunglasses Daniel Craig wore in Quantum of Solace? $20. Also available in a darker gunmetal. The Tom Ford pair aren’t the easiest to pull off, so these will probably be even more difficult.
Warby Parker Polarized Thatcher in Greystone – $95.00
God love it they’re GREY. Not black, not your standard brown tortoise, grey. Subtle as well. From Warby Parker, who most of you know by now has that home-try on policy for their eye-glasses, as well as a real nice return policy.
Calibrate Navigator – $69.50
Not too tall. Not too bulky or too wispy. Owns that grown-up middle ground on style and affordable price. From the Nordstrom house brand Calibrate that does not let down very often. But, it’s free shipping and returns if they do.
Fossil “Nick” Polarized sunglasses in rust – $70.00
First seen over here, and it’s hard not to like that color (unless you and Andy Dalton have a similar complexion and hair color.) Minimal branding, unique, and polarized for seventy bucks. An unmistakeable retro feel, so keep the rest of your getup current, or risk looking like you’re in costume.
American Optical Original Pilot Aviators – $39.99 – $75.99
Obligatory. But respectfully so. Made in the USA and the chosen sunglasses for a lot of you guys.
Any other suggestions? Are you an expensive sunglasses guy, or are you the “I get mine at 7/11 because I break them all the time” type? Leave it all the comments section…
I’ve been eyeing up those AOs for almost a year now.. I oughta pull the trigger soon.
Been getting cheap sunglasses my whole life, but I think 40-50 is a nice mid-range price to start at.
When I priced them out before, opticsplanet came out ahead on American Optics. Return policy is good, too, in that they’ll let you return stuff. I got a whole bevy, tried, chose, kept, returned, got refunded. Boom.
I’ve got sunglasses (in a tortoise pattern) which roughly approximate the Fossil Nick. They are my ex-girlfriend’s dad’s old sunglasses from Italy in the 1970s. I love them but they’re definitely very ~retro~.
I tried the New Wayfarers on in a store but found them to be too small for my face. The classic Wayfarer I guess is the way to go for me, but I prefer a pair of Aviators.
I wish Warby Parker would make prescription sunglasses! Once they do that they’ll get so much of my money…
In the meantime I’m leaning towards a pair of New Wayfarers, if for nothing else than ease of getting a pair with my (weak) prescription.
I have my eyes on those J.Crew Tortoise shells…just in time for my first vacation as a dad…
Was in Lenscrafters just yesterday having one of my “shades” repaired. While waiting, I had a look around. Every Ray-Bans frame I picked up (~$130) and looked at were made in China. Broke my heart.
Never wore sunglasses before and would like to. What’s the difference between those sunglasses they sell in a stand at the mall and a $100 pair of Ray-Bans ? To me they look about the same.
The quality. The frames are going to be much, much better and hold up over time. If they do fall apart Ray-Ban will stand behind their product and make it right.
Also check eBay. I just picked up a new pair of Persols for under $100 shipped with no problem.
Ha, that’s good to know. I guess I could ask the cute lady who work there what style would suit my face the best then buy a similar design in a better quality.
They do. I heard you have to call in your order though, tip from a headlongdive.
I’ve been very pleased with my Knockarounds. They definitely make some gaudy ones, but their Fort Knocks (similar to the Warby Parker ones above) come in the standard black, or tortoise shell frames and they look much sharper than the $25 price tag.
I’ve been very pleased with my Knockarounds. They definitely make some gaudy ones, but their Fort Knocks (similar to the Warby Parker ones above) come in the standard black, or tortoise shell frames and they look much sharper than the $25 price tag.
Really like the New Wayfarers. Definitely check out the matte black frames over the glossy black.
I just bought BR aviator sunglasses using their 50% off Facebook fans coupon. No complaints for $39
Did those Ray Ban caravans go up in price? It’s coming up $78.92 on overstock.com and $82.67 on Amazon.com. Would love to snag them for the $69.04 price that’s posted.
Just got some tortoise shell wayfarers by Merona at Target for $17. frame feels pretty sturdy. let’s see how long they last…
Has anyone tried those $10 knockoffs at Nordstrom? I love my cheap-ass wannabe wayfarers. And free shipping / return shipping to boot.
Does anyone have any other suggestions for polarized sunglasses?
I have always worn Oakley sunglasses but would like to switch it up. Do these type of sunglasses listed above have proper protection from the sun (UVA/UVB) ?
The greystone Warby Parkers are awesome.
Has anyone taken a standard pair of RayBans and had an optometrist replace the standard lenses with prescription? I need prescription sunglasses, but every time I go looking for them, the price of the frames (specifically Caravans) always put me off when I know those standard sunglasses can go on sale for half of what optometrists charge for frames.
Now that someone mentioned that we can get prescription sunglasses from Warby, that’s worth considering, but I’m not a huge fan of plastic lenses.
Warby Parkers, please. Subtle, clean, classic, different, useful (polarized), and relatively cheap.
with the shape of my dome, the ray-ban wayfarers (regardless of size) have to “do the splits” and stretch out to fit the sides of my head. Hate the look of them. and the oirignals i wouldnt say are “clunky” – i actually like them, other than their ridiculous forward tilt. thats the deal-breaker, in my opinion.
That being said, I like my look in plastic-framed aviators – much like the J crew tortoise ones – but I think I am going to splurge on the ray-ban rb4125 CATS 5000 for quality reasons.
I would love to get the Warby Parkers (as a matter of fact, i waffled about those, wayfarers, and the plastic aviators forever) but i dont want to order them and then have to send them back because they look bad. where is the home try-on for the shades?
Seriously? Eyeglasses or Sunglasses? I’ve been wondering if they’d move production at some point, but all their sunglasses still say made in Italy for me.
Agreeing with Jason. My pair of New Wayfarers have been beat to absolute hell, and they’ve never felt like they were gonna snap or break for a second. Hinges are unreal, and they’ve so far picked up just one nick in a lens, courtesy of my dropping them on a sandy garage floor then half stepping on/kicking them while holding too many grocery bags. 1st world problem for sure.
They did go up in price. Both prices are pretty solid for Caravans though.
I have a pair of the wayfarers from the 80’s as well, much larger frames and they definitely do not make them that size anymore, quite disappointing but what are you gonna do. I always believe its best to spend the extra 30-40 and get a good pair, the cheapo’s at target or the gas station just aren’t made as nice and do fall apart easily.
AO. No contest. Just wrote about them in the threads. One of my favorite pairs of sunglasses in recent history, especially for the cost.
Your posts like this need a poll to help determine the crowd favorites… Just sayin’. Keep up the good work – thanks for this.
LOL….like the Major League reference!
I picked up a pair of the Wayfarers knockoff and I like them. They are pretty decent. A little bigger and streamlined than standard New Wayfayers. Almost halfway between new and old Wayfayers. They feel comfy and look pretty good on my gigantic head. Worth the 10 bucks as far as I am concerned.
I like the Caravans thanks to Don Draper, and the Marc Anthony’s thanks to the Tom Ford’s (which copied the Oliver Peoples Airman) in Quantum of Solace.
I don’t see why anyone would get aviators from any brand but Ray-Ban, the company that created the style in the first place. I am a fan of sticking to the original instead of other brands imitations of the style.
There’s a Kohl’s coupon code SMS295 for 20% off to bring the Marc Anthony Round Sunglasses down to $16
It’s not cheap and lens colors are limited but I have had two pairs of ray bans made w prescription lenses. Beware that the larger the lens the thicker the sides will be. I had some original aviators done and the edges were around a 1/4 inch thick. Granted I was pretty blind then. Just go get LASIK adds then you can wear whatever you want. Best decision I elected made was getting LASIK.
Just bought some Ray-Ban aviators but may have to pick up some Caravans too. Those things are sweet.
I’ve got a wider face which makes most sunglasses slightly stretch outward. Are there any wider set one’s that anybody knows about (preferably ray-bans)?
Uh…. Ray Ban aviators were made in the late 30’s and while worn by WWII pilots, they were not the official sunglasses of the military. American Optics on the otherhand, were made in 1917, first worn by WWI pilots, and the military ever since. Not to mention they were the sunglasses worn on the first trip to the moon. So…. who created the style again? Obviously you’re not a fan of sticking to the original since they were imitators. Just sayin’
Seconding the LASIK. But then my eyes got bad again after a few years and I’m back to glasses.
Prescription lenses are super expensive and I spent a pretty penny on my Ralph Lauren aviators and Maui Jims with prescription lenses, but damn it feels good not to have to wear contacts
If only Roger Dorn had these choices of sunglasses, maybe he wouldn’t have been so damn afraid of grounders!
Knockaround! They have customized sunglasses from like 30 dollars. They look like wayfarers but they also have some aviator styles. Check em out!
Timely! I just pulled the trigger on tortoise ray-ban new wayfarers last night. Went with the 52 mm… mistake?
I bought a pair and instantly gifted them to wifey when they arrived, but maybe I have a big head/ face or something…
Ok, so finally at the end of the day I made the decision and got the New Wayfarers off Amazon. I owned a pair of NW for years up until two weeks ago they vanished. Gone. No trace. I wore them all the time, but I never fully appreciated them. They were a gift from an ex gf who worked (works?) at Saks. To get an idea of how long ago this was, I remember telling her I wanted Ray-Ban Wayfarers and showed her a picture. She never heard of them nor seen them before. We asked around the Saks. No one heard of them. I had to special order them. Apparently I was pre-peak on these and I like to think I ushered in the comeback. And now, today, after fretting the loss and debating whether to replace them, I get a sign from Joe. So they arrive of Friday. Plus, I got to upgrade to polarized.
That feel when you have the same complexion and slightly darker hair than Andy Dalton
Eh, I have pretty good vision (something like 20/40, just enough to be required to have glasses in order to drive), so LASIK seems unnecessary to me for the foreseeable future. For your Ray Bans with prescription lenses, did you get the frames at the optometrist’s or did you just have them put the lenses in some existing frames?
You forgot to mention 4Sight! They’re $45 and look like Raybans and they donate a pair of prescription glasses to a needy kid for every sunglass that is sold.
Check out Neiman Marcus’ Last Call website (which I discovered via Dappered – gracias). 30% off sale right now, and they have a slew of English Laundry styles that end up being ~$35.
Anyone have experience with durability with English Laundry?
I generally stick with AO just because I can choose the size on them. I always go with 52 mm (the smallest) even though if I could I’d go even smaller. Most other aviators just look so damn big and goofy on my face. Anyone else have that problem? Anyone know where one can get some square-lensed aviators in the under 50mm?
Gilt currently has some Mosley Tribe sunglasses that I’m really liking starting at 75. Jack Threads has Tom Ford and Armani starting at 175, but it’s still a lot better than retail.
Both. I originally got them to use as shooting glasses. The frames were bought at LensCrafters and I got yellow lenses put in them. Several prescriptions later I decided I wanted to use the frames for sunglasses. LensCrafters told me that they could not put new lenses in them BC they didn’t sell the frames? Whatever LensCrafters is annoying. So I took them to a local optometrist and they happily put new lenses in the frames.
I got a pair of prescription Wayfarer-lookalikes (Kirkland Signature – the only thing missing is the RayBan logo on the lenses and the side) at Costco for about $95 I think. The frames themselves were $40. Speaking of Costco, most of these styles are available there for really cheap, without the branding, although they are sold right alongside the branded ones.