Choosing sunglasses can be a bit intimidating once you step beyond Ray-Bans and Persols. There must be hundreds, if not thousands, of models at this point. Thus, to make your choice a bit easier, Agyesh and I have pulled together a list of our favorite brands and models, and then broken them up them up into three price tiers. The price tiers are a bit rough, since each company makes a range of glasses, so it might worth clicking around to see if any of the neighboring categories have something that fits your budget.
Note that nearly all sunglasses on the market today, including the ones below, are made by three companies – Luxottica, Safilo or Marcolin. It would be a mistake, however, to assume that this means all sunglasses are the same quality. Manufacturers can make frames according to a wide range of standards, so be careful about being reductive. To really determine quality, follow our earlier guide instead.
Priced under $150
- Classic Specs: Beaumont, Amherst, Exeter, Irving, Brighton
- Randoph Engineering: Aviators, Concorde, Sportsman, collaboration lines with Michael Bastian (more expensive)
- American Optical: Original Pilot, General, Saratoga
- Warby Parker: Griffin, Jasper, Thatcher
- Polo Ralph Lauren: Retro, Classic Aviator, Thin Round
- Shuron: Escapade, Freeway, Ronsir, Revelation
- Ray Ban: Wayfarer, Clubmasters, Caravan, Aviators, Cats, collaboration line with Brooks Brothers (check Sartorially Inclined to read about various Wayfarer models)
Priced between $150 and $350
- Bob Sdrunk: Jaja, Malcolm, John
- Tom Ford: Hunter (check Overstock.com for lower prices than retail)
- Persols: 649, 714, 749
- Mosley Tribes: Crane, Hensley
- Allyn Scura: Mid-Century
- Garret Leight: Brooks, Hampton
Priced above $350
- Ralph Lauren Purple Label: Classic and Keyhole
- Selima Optique: Chad, Money 2, Steve, collaboration with J Crew
- Moscot: Jordan, Drew, Zulu Flash SE
- Oliver Peoples: Benedict, Gregory Peck, Sheldrake Sun, O Malleys, Riley
- LGR: Freetown, Kampala, Keren, Massawa, Orano
- Silver Lining Opticians: Hydrogen Matte Black, SLV x OC Aviators
- Tart Optical: Arnel, FDR
We’ll be back Wednesday with another installment.
* Original artwork above by Agyesh Madan