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All the A-list sunglasses brands you need to make this season your most stylish yet
The best sunglasses brands are infallible sources of stylish UV protection, and purveyors of premium eyewear so nice it might actually ruin your day if you accidentally sit on a pair. And sure, the list is stacked with a formidable lineup of sunglasses made by the Ray-Bans, Persols, and Oakleys of the world, but you'll also come across a few names you might not know, including up-and-coming indie darlings looking to carve out a niche for themselves in the ever-crowded eyeglasses space.
The unifying through line? All of them have proven their dedication to churning out grade-A sunnies at the highest levels of craftsmanship, from sly interpretations of retro-leaning aviators, wayfarers, and Clubmasters, to quirky new silhouettes entirely their own. And the surfeit of options doesn't end there. Because the best sunglasses brands today offer a variety of styles at a variety of price points, which means shilling out top-dollar for a wildly overpriced made-in-Italy option — that, to be honest, you don't even really like — is officially a ritual of the past
In other words, there's never been a better time to snag a high-quality pair of shades that'll help you look like Hollywood royalty — McQueen-approved aviators, anyone? — and block out harmful UV rays in the process. Not sure where to begin? Put your trust in these eyewear brands, and then never look back—unless, of course, it's to shamelessly ogle your reflection in the window of a passing car.
Ray-Ban's eyewear pedigree speaks for itself. After nearly a century in the business, the brand's legendary roster of sunglasses needs little introduction: Dylan's Wayfarers, Maverick's Aviators, Malcolm X's Clubmasters. If you haven't owned a pair of Ray-Ban's always-in-style frames at some point in your life, now's the time to rectify that mistake, STAT.
Persol
There's a reason Persol's frames have long been a favourite of pilots, Formula One drivers, and bona fide Hollywood royalty: the brand's instantly recognizable designs positively ooze old-school Italian elegance, without compromising on the type of durability a race track — or a red carpet — calls for.
Shady Spex
Affordable sunglasses informed by some of the most stylish cultural icons? Sign us up. This comes courtesy of Shady Spex, the eyewear brand which serves artistically-inclined shades with quality and sustainability in mind. Incorporating recycled materials into their sleek construction, you'll find a piece inspired by pretty much any cool rockstar: from the ‘White Light Wraparounds’ (modelled off Lou Reed) to the ‘Subterranean Homesick Sunglasses’ (modelled off Bob Dylan). For serious style at a small price, run, don't walk.
A Prada logo goes a long way in the fashion game, and an easy way to embrace it is through a pair of sunglasses. Defined through a number of signature styles – including the refined Cinéma collection and the square monochrome models – pieces are produced using three-dimensional crafting across the temples and are effortlessly fused with the Italian house’s opulent logo at the side. With a strong curation available via Selfridges, now is the time to invest in a pair ahead of Spring.
Most frequently cued by 90s eyewear silhouettes, Weekday's revolving collection of frames is a failsafe option for stylish (and affordable) facial accessories. All designs are priced at under £30, but this doesn't mean that they compromise on functionality, as each pair provides high UV protection through the lenses. Ranging from versatile black styles to more futuristic gradient frames, our top picks from the current offerings are the ‘trek’ and ‘strike’ designs – each incorporating recycled materials into their production.
The house of Dior expresses some of the greatest expertise in menswear, and this doesn’t just apply to clothing. Blending technical prowess into modern silhouettes, the French brand’s approach to eyewear design has produced a collection of beautifully unique offerings characterised by silver-plated structures and opulent logo motifs. A special shoutout goes to the ‘B27 S2I’ pair: assembled with a flattering D-frame profile and emblazoned with the brand’s oblique motif across the lens. Big fashion win.
Oakley isn't an official sponsor of Major League Baseball, but it might as well be. Its performance-minded sunglasses have long been a favourite of the league's most stylish stars, who've always appreciated what the menswear masses are only now cottoning on to: the brand's distinct, sport-inspired silhouettes look good on anyone, anywhere — whether you're shooting fly balls in the park or strutting your stuff on the street.
Oliver Peoples began life as a small boutique on Hollywood Boulevard peddling vintage American shades. Since setting up shop in the late '80s, the brand has evolved into a serious contender in the eyewear space, churning out handsome sunnies inspired by the retro frames it used to stock, crafted from some of the highest quality materials in the world.
If the recent Jeremy Strong cosign didn't quite convince you, allow us to: GQ has been touting Jacques Marie Mage's bona fides for years now, gracing the temples of Keanu, Brad Pitt, and others with its top-end frames. Eyewear obsessive Jerome Mage founded the cult-loved label in 2014, and it's racked up an impressive roster of high-profile clients since (Loki scene-stealer Jonathan Majors is also a devoted fan.) Yes, these small-batch, primo-quality shades will cost you a pretty penny, but copping a pair of sunglasses that no one else at the beach/party/beach party will have? Priceless.
Since the late aughts, Retrosuperfuture has been hawking unabashedly quirky eyewear that doesn't compromise on quality — and tends to clock in at less than £200 a pair. Keeping prices low but innovation high is a tricky alchemy the Italian brand has nearly perfected over the years, as its stellar selection of shades attests to. If you're looking to score some runway-ready sunglasses on the (relatively) cheap, you couldn't do much better than starting here.
After a chance meeting in optometry school, Graham Cutler and Tony Gross set out to make a name for themselves crafting bespoke sunglasses for a roster of high-flying clients — and upended the eyewear industry in the process. Since the late '60s, the duo have helped elevate what were once considered mere necessities to the realm of grail-worthy accessories using a combination of Italian craftsmanship and unimpeachable design chops. More than 40 years into its run, the brand is still committed to churning out the famously logo-less frames that have endeared it to so many discerning customers since its founding.
Looking to serve a dose of seventies pizazz via your shades of choice? Allow us to point you in the direction of Gucci. Famed for its mastery of sharp and bold silhouettes, the Italian house’s avenue of eyewear is also cued by the flamboyant decade, translating to a range of bold designs which ooze subtle sex appeal. If you want some help with a piece to start, we suggest one with an aviator frame: as striking as it is classic.
Sun Buddies makes it easy to feel like a celebrity, largely because every pair of sunglasses the brand sells is inspired by an actual A-lister, from Liam Gallagher to Naomi Campbell. With names like “Courtney”, “Lenny”, and “Aaliyah”, its evocative shades wear their influence on their rims. Who doesn't want to slip on a pair of stellar frames and suddenly look a little more famous?
Cartier may be best-known for its fine jewellery, but did you know that the brand's offerings also extend to eyewear? Similarly constructed through luxury materials and shaped into timeless silhouettes, the French brand proposes a series of impeccable designs which will elevate your style status instantly. From the signature ‘C de Cartier’ style to round aviator frames, there's a design to suit everyone – and while they're a little on the spendier side, they're guaranteed to last.
Sourced from GQ
