Bespoke Post June 2013: “Shade” – $45.00
For $45 per box, Bespoke Post will deliver to your door a “box of awesome” once a month. Inside you’ll find hand selected items curated for a guy like you. You can skip any box you want or cancel at any time. Click here for more.
NOTE: If you’re brand new to Bespoke Post, you can save 40% off either this box “Shade”, or another box “Seared” with the code SUMMER. But know this is limited to the first 100 new signups. Many thanks to Paul R. for the tip.
Here’s the cliffs notes version: Are the sunglasses worth it?
Yep.
There’s not a lot of options in this style between $10 Gas Station sunglasses and Ray Ban New Wayfarers. And the slightly retro, yet not over the top shape makes them stand out even right next to a pair of New Wayfarers:
Top: Ray-Ban New Wayfarers. Bottom: Polarized Derek Cardigan Sun 7014
The pair in the Bespoke Post box have just a bit more of a stylized bridge, and the tortoise shell pattern is a bit on the lighter/more noticeable side. They’re made in China, the lenses are polarized, and the frames feel nice and solid. They’ve got nice, spring loaded hinges so they flex a bit when you put them on. They’re definitely a step up from the gas station.
But not everyone is going to like how the lenses are tinted. They’re pretty light. Again, here they are with the Ray Ban New Wayfarer for comparison.:
Top: The Pair from Bespoke Post. Bottom:The Ray-Bans are much darker.
Hat tip to reader Josh S. for pointing out how light the lenses are. But those lighter lenses will add to the retro appeal for some. Just don’t expect these to hide any wandering/ogling eyes. The mismatched ÷ and x at the corners might not be everyone’s favorite, but they’re really not that noticeable compared to the overall, really nice look to the frames.
The bracelet trend seems to be just that, a trend, but for those who are into it, this is a more utilitarian option. Honestly had no idea how to get one of these things on, but Bespoke Post made a smartly minimalist video to explain how this thing works.
The box wraps up with a nice sized supply of Watermans Sunscreen, which, yep… you guessed it… claims to be ultra water and sweat proof. Retail is somewhere between $15 – $20, and has plenty of positive reviews on Amazon
Guessing that for this box, most had their eyes on that which they might put their eyes behind. And the other two items were sort of “bonus” items. And for the majority, this box is going to deliver nicely. Even if they don’t ever wear bracelets.
Enter here to win this “Shade” Box from Bespoke Post. One entry per person. Deadline for entry is 11:59 pm ET 6/29/13. And again, don’t worry… no one used the sunscreen.
UPDATE: Congrats to Matthew R. for winning this month’s Box of Awesome from Bespoke Post!
I got it and I honestly don’t think it’s worth it.
The good? The sunscreen works well.
The bad? The glasses shape and size honestly makes them look like female sunglasses. In fact, I gave them to my GF and she loved them. The tint, like Joe pointed, is VERY light.
The bracelet is not that nice. And this comes from a man that likes and owns many different bracelets. It’s a lil on the large size and looks awkward after putting it on. And yes, I looked into how to properly adjusting it.
I’m kinda sad I opted in for this box.
Got mine the other day and on my face the glasses seem slightly oversized, giving them a more “nerdy” look than a pair of Wayfarers. I really like the look and will be taking them out for their first spin to a party this Saturday afternoon, matching them with a seersucker suit and a Cary Lane bowtie. It’s retro nerd all the way. The the construction on the glasses seems pretty good and they come with a nice sturdy slimline hard case from Coastal.com.
The bracelet, well, I don’t know about that. I have a couple of other leather/cord bracelets that I wear occasionally and this one seems a little clumsy by comparison. It doesn’t sit well on the wrist and just ends up like a tangled mess, but maybe I’m not doing it right.
The sunscreen, yep, it’s sunscreen. Seems fine.
All in all, I think Bespoke has provided good value yet again with the glasses being well worth the price of the box.
I just received my box last week, and have to say I’ve been pretty happy with it. The sunglasses were the draw, especially since my beautiful daughters just broke my other pair in half, so I needed a new pair anyway. As an engineer, the ÷ and x appeal to my inner geek. The spring loaded temples really give the glasses a solid feel.
I’ve been really surprised with how much I’ve enjoyed the bracelet. I haven’t worn a bracelet of any type since a phase in high school (1999 or so), so I was pretty skeptical of if I’d ever wear it. However, I decided to give it a go on the same wrist as my diver watch (Orient Mako), and found that by the end of the day, I really liked it. It feels like it gives a bit of swagger to what would otherwise be an otherwise nondescript outfit (think chino shorts & a polo). Nice, simple, utilitarian and the “bling factor” is virtually non-existant next to the stainless bracelet band on the diver.
Based on the photos, I’d say they are a close copy of the Ray-Ban Meteor. I have a pair of the Meteors and I like them better than the new wayfarers that my wife has.
The as yet unasked question here is, for anyone who regrets opting for the Shade box, would you have preferred the Seared?
Obviously, you could opt out so the choice is not necessarily a zero sum game, but as a foodie who opted for the Shade box (not yet received), I’m interested to hear from those who perhaps wish they would have ordered the Seared…
Good to remember that you can return boxes: https://www.bespokepost.com/shipping But, if the Girlfriend liked the sunglasses, well then, a half win at least?
Gotta say, I for whatever reason really did like the shades. But I can see why they’d be a little too stylized for some. Thanks for the feed back sir.
I don’t think you can “switch” boxes right? At least I’ve never been able to. I do think you can order another box (i.e. the one you’re not getting) but that’s an additional $45.
Ah, I didn’t think of wearing the bracelet like that, with a divers watch, on the same wrist. Good idea, very nautical. I’m going to give that a try.
Joe, you are a gentleman and a scholar. I did not have a clue that I could return boxes. Had I known, I would’ve kept my mouth zipped up and returned it before the boss lady fell in love with the shades.
You are correct though, it is a half win based on the fact that she will wear the shades and I will use the sunscreen. Thank you!
Oh man, that would be, as the kids would say (in the 80s), a bummer. Yep! Bespoke post lets you return it. Store credit I believe. Full refund = restocking fee I think.
You could opt not to receive Shade and then order Seared instead.
Yes, I suppose you could. Good tip.
Am I the only one that never thinks these boxes are good deals? They’re always either overpriced or filled with junk. This box fitting into the latter category. For $20? Maybe. $45? Not in a million years.
I originally said that the frames were “a bit flimsy” – out of the box, they creaked at the hinges and I’ve bought my fair share of cheap sunglasses, which always seem to creak at the hinges minutes before disintegrating. So perhaps I was conditioned to be a bit pessimistic at first. But I’ve been wearing them and the hinges now glide with ease. I’ll eat some crow and rescind my quick assessment of the frames as “flimsy”.
I think the frame shape is perfect and the mathematical operators details are very unique and a large part of the reason I got them – they stand out just enough, but not too much.
I still am getting used to the lenses. They’re definitely lighter than I prefer, to the point that I probably wouldn’t have bought them in a store. Looking at the pictures on the Bespoke Post website, they seem a lot darker than Joe’s picture or how they are in person. So I’m disappointed there. But they’re not so light that I would call them “tinted”. I anticipate they will grow a bit on me.
The sunscreen, to quote Dale below: “…yep, it’s sunscreen. Seems fine”. I’m normally not a bracelet wearer, but I’m giving it a try since it came in the box. Jury is still out. I may end up converting it to an emergency ID for when I’m out on my road bike, similar to a RoadID.
Overall, I didn’t think this box was a home run, as previous boxes like the Blue Claw dopp kit or the Weekender were. But it’s a base hit.
Has anyone here ordered the Seared? Interested to hear thoughts on it.
Really like the glasses. Was days away from dropping 300+ on Persols. While these arent Persols, the tortoise should hold me over for a season or two.
Did I just see… Joe’s face?? 😀
A day late post for me as I just ordered the shade box yesterday. Some of these comment have me worried but for the price I don’t think it’s too bad. It’ll be my first par of glasses in this style and in that color so I’m excited.
I got this box during June, and loved it. The sunglasses were much higher quality than anticipated. Even with the light lenses they work great on a bright day.
I got the box, and I thought it was a solid purchase, especially since I just used some credit card rewards for it. I was in need of a new pair of sunglasses and these definitely have the retro thing going for them. Tinting is definitely a bit lighter, but it was entirely suitable for allowing me to drive without being blinded. I suppose that’s just a personal preference thing.
I broke out the sunscreen at a July 4 pool party, not having spent much time in the sun this summer, and it worked great – it wasn’t super greasy and I didn’t burn.
As for the bracelet, I’m not much of jewelry or bracelet guy, but I actually thought it rounded out the outfit pretty well. I like the nautical theme and it’s fairly minimalist.
So there’s my two cents.
I, too, received my box and I absolutely love the sunglasses. I haven’t used the sunscreen so I can’t comment on it and the bracelet is meh. With that said, it’s still a solid purchase even for the sunglasses alone. Definitely happy.