Style Debate: Paying more than $100 for Sunglasses

Now that the Northern Hemisphere is getting ready to tip towards the sun again, more than a few of us are considering investing in a new pair of sunglasses.  And the level of that investment can vary greatly.  The argument for both spending quite a bit, or keeping it cheap when it comes to UV blocking eyewear, can be found below.

The case AGAINST paying more than $100 for Sunglasses:  Sunglasses are the BASE jumpers of the style world.  No one in their right mind would want to sell them insurance.   They meet their demise so often by getting left in cabs, sat on, dropped onto concrete, or just flat out seem to walk away.  So spending a ton is just too high of a risk.  Plus, there are plenty of good looking homage style sunglasses out there.  Why drop $300 to look like Steve McQueen when $10 gets you moving along that same road?  If cheap sunglasses are good for the Reverend Willie G… they’re good for me.  And let’s remember that not all sub $100 sunglasses are gas-station foakleys.  Quite the opposite in fact.  If the under $100 AO Original Pilots are good enough for, y’know, Astronauts, they should work fine for us crust lubbers too.

The case FOR paying more than $100 for Sunglasses:  Sunglasses are like your hair and your coat.  While other items move through on a rotation, your coat for that season and your hair (if you have any) see use almost every single day.  As do your sunglasses, assuming you’re not addicted to squinting.  So quality and durability can absolutely be a factor.  You might get lucky with a cheap pair of sunglasses, but the vast majority have some sort of oddball drawback.  They sit funny on your face.  They dig into your nose.  They rattle when you take them off.  And yes, there’s always the risk of scratching or losing your sunglasses, but with expensive sunglasses, you’ll never have to pick the plastic wrap-like tortoise pattern out of your hair since your $35 shades have flaked and disintegrated over time.  Some would say this is similar to the “never buy cheap shoes” argument, but unlike shoes (of which you have many pairs), one or two pairs of sunglasses is really all you need for any situation.  Pick a highly versatile, classic, well built pair, and you’ll be set for a very very long time.

Vote below for whatever camp you’re in.  Feel free to make your case for your side, plus mention your sunglasses of choice in the comments.  (Note: Ben F. ^ wears the ridiculously expensive Tom Ford 108s.  Many will recognize them.)

For a matrix of what styles of frames are dress and which are sporty, click here.