Best Affordable Sunglasses of 2014
Sunglasses are a fickle accessory. They’re often outrageously expensive, many find them easy to lose or break, and for most… once you find a pair you actually like… you hang onto those things for dear life. They’re not really like shoes, where you might have 10 – 15 pairs. Most guys have one or two pairs. Three at most.
Let’s say you don’t rely on gas-station cheapies, yet don’t want to invest in something that’ll make you weep with anguish if you happened to sit on them. We’ll set the budget at a hundred bucks, and anything under that is fair game. Feel free to leave your favorite reasonably price sunglasses picks in the comments.
AO Original Pilots – $45.00
The be-all-end-all for plenty. Mean but still professional, well proportioned, and made in the USA. Available in black (shown above), chrome, silver, and gold over at Jomers. 52, 55, and 57mm sizes available and they ship free. Meanwhile, even more options available over at Optics Planet, but know that in the past… some have had trouble with ordering through Optics Planet.
Warby Parker Downing – $95.00
Those blue lenses. Very nice. But best for fellas with smaller heads/faces. Lightweight but strong, and the contoured edges sit comfortably on your nose. Polarized lenses. Full review over here.
Ray-Ban Caravan in Gunmetal – $86.89
“Hi there, I’m the Ray-Ban Caravan in gunmetal. And I don’t mess around.”
(sold through Amazon at post time)
Ray Ban 55mm Tortoise New Wayfarers – $77.87 
The center of the Sunglasses universe. Looks good on everyone. Not too clunky, not too squat through the lenses… all kinds of right. Yes, they’re plastic, but they can be dressed up with a summer suit, and look equally as good with a t-shirt and shorts. Currently being sold by Amazon so they’re up for Prime. 55mm is a good size for most guys. Make sure you click on the right color/seller option.
John Varvatos JV 755 – $78.00 ($200)
A risk for sure. A funky sportsman. Like George Clinton went duck hunting or something. Tortoise temples, a brow bar, and wide wire framed lenses. Two hundred retail? Good grief now. But under $80… maybe. For some.
Banana Republic Corbin – $78.00
A bit thicker in the britches but at a real affordable price when a code can be applied. Chunky to the point where they look great casually, but might have to sit on the bench for more dressed up affairs. Ships free. Currently excluded from the 35% off code because they’re a “BR Pick” (which is one of the lamer “exclusion” categories in all of retail).
Lacoste L684S – $59.99
A bit retro, some hints of modern. Keyhole bridge but some sleek curves. Alligator and texture at the temples. Not sold or fulfilled by Amazon, so tread carefully.
Original Penguin “The Keaton” 58mm Aviators- $78.00
The logo in the upper corner of the left lens is pretty big (see the 3/4 view at the Nordstrom site), but at least they ship and return free through Nordstom in case you don’t like them. A pretty close to perfect style of sunglasses… metal frames, but with thicker, less wiry ear pieces. Ray-Ban Caravan-like angles to the lenses.
Warby Parker Griffin -$95.00
Best for the guys who just don’t want to blow $200 – $300 on Persols, but like the S. McQueenesque vibe. Would be nice to see a pair in a darker tortoise instead of two variations of black, but the lighter tortoise still look plenty fine. Good for those with larger faces/melons. Polarized.
Your turn guys… what’s your go to pair of sunglasses? Are they under a hundred bucks? Or are you the type who’s willing to pay for more expensive eyewear? Leave it all below.