Sunglasses are more than just an accessory; they’re a style statement and a must-have for eye protection. Designer sunglasses, however, often come with hefty price tags that aren’t within everyone’s reach. Fortunately, finding affordable sunglasses that look expensive is easier than ever, thanks to improvements in design and material quality among budget-friendly brands. With careful choices, you can get a luxurious, high-end look for a fraction of the cost. This guide explores what to look for in affordable sunglasses to make them look upscale, the best budget-friendly brands, and where to find these stylish accessories.
Why Affordable Sunglasses Can Look Expensive
Affordable sunglasses can mimic designer styles if you focus on certain high-quality details. Many affordable brands have started replicating popular trends with premium materials and craftsmanship, allowing for a luxury look without breaking the bank. Elements such as material choice, lens quality, design details, and branding play crucial roles in enhancing the look and feel of sunglasses. By focusing on these elements, you can find options that deliver both style and value.
Material Choices for an Expensive Look
When it comes to sunglasses, material quality significantly affects the appearance and feel. Choosing high-quality materials over cheap plastic is key to getting a designer-inspired look.
Acetate Frames
Acetate is a high-quality plastic alternative often used in designer sunglasses for its durability and flexibility. Unlike basic plastic, acetate has a natural sheen that gives sunglasses a more refined appearance. It’s also hypoallergenic and comfortable, making it ideal for all-day wear. Acetate comes in various colors and textures, including tortoiseshell and marble patterns, which add a premium feel to the frames. Choosing acetate over plastic gives sunglasses a substantial, polished look that imitates high-end brands.
Metal Frames
Metal frames, typically stainless steel or titanium, are known for their sturdiness and sophisticated look. Sunglasses with metal frames exude a sleek, refined style that’s often associated with luxury. Look for metal frames with clean finishes, such as brushed gold or silver, which tend to look more elegant. Avoid overly thin or lightweight metal frames, as these may appear flimsy. Instead, choose sunglasses with a bit of weight and thickness for a sturdier, high-end look.
Avoid Plastic-Heavy Designs
Plastic frames can look cheap and tend to be less durable. When plastic is used in low-cost sunglasses, it often feels lightweight and lacks the shine and sturdiness of acetate or metal. Avoid sunglasses with visible mold lines or rough edges, as these are signs of lower-quality manufacturing. High-quality plastic frames can look expensive if crafted well, so choosing designs with smooth finishes, thicker frames, or textures can still work if other options aren’t available.
Investing in the right materials, like acetate or metal frames, can make a big difference in the appearance of affordable sunglasses, giving them a more durable, high-quality look that’s comparable to luxury brands.
Choosing the Right Lens
Lenses are just as important as frames when aiming for an expensive look. The right lenses can add both sophistication and functionality, making your sunglasses appear more valuable.
Gradient Lenses
Gradient lenses are darker at the top and gradually fade to a lighter shade at the bottom, adding depth and dimension to sunglasses. This feature is commonly found in designer eyewear and has become a sought-after style for its chic, versatile look. Gradient lenses aren’t just stylish; they’re also practical, as they protect your eyes from sunlight while allowing visibility for close-up activities, like reading.
Polarized Lenses
Polarized lenses reduce glare, especially from reflective surfaces like water and pavement. While polarization is often associated with sports and outdoor sunglasses, it’s also a premium feature seen in high-end models. Choosing sunglasses with polarized lenses not only adds a high-quality touch but also makes them more functional, protecting your eyes and reducing eye strain.
UV Protection
UV protection is crucial, regardless of price. Sunglasses with UV400 protection offer complete shielding from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Surprisingly, many affordable sunglasses come with full UV protection, so you don’t have to compromise safety for style. UV protection ensures your sunglasses are not just fashionable but also functional, mimicking what you’d expect from high-end brands.
Color-Tinted Lenses
While neutral colors like black, gray, or brown are timeless, a subtle color tint can add an extra layer of style. Tints like blue, rose, or amber are trendy but still sophisticated. These tints should complement the frame color for a cohesive look. For example, tortoiseshell frames look stunning with brown or amber lenses, creating a cohesive, luxurious look.
By prioritizing lenses with gradient or polarized finishes, full UV protection, and thoughtful tinting, you can find affordable sunglasses that feel like designer eyewear, both in look and functionality.
Key Design Elements
The design of sunglasses plays a huge role in determining their overall style. Certain elements make affordable sunglasses look more high-end.
Subtle Logos and Branding
Designer sunglasses often feature subtle logos or branding, like small insignias on the arms or at the top corner of the lens. While affordable brands may not have designer logos, some include tasteful, understated branding that adds a hint of sophistication. Avoid brands that over-brand or add large logos on the lenses, as this can make them appear less refined.
Minimalistic Designs
Less is more when it comes to creating an elegant look. Minimalistic designs with simple lines and clean shapes are often associated with luxury eyewear. Look for frames with smooth, uncomplicated designs, as overly ornate styles can sometimes look cheaper. Minimalism in sunglasses often translates to timelessness, giving you more versatility in styling them.
Oversized Frames
Oversized sunglasses are a classic style that exudes glamour and luxury. Whether in a round, square, or cat-eye shape, oversized frames add an element of elegance that’s reminiscent of old Hollywood or contemporary runway looks. Choose frames that are proportionate to your face shape so they look intentional rather than overdone.
Classic Shapes
Sunglasses with classic shapes, like aviators, cat-eye, and square frames, never go out of style and are frequently seen in luxury eyewear collections. These timeless shapes have a track record of popularity, so they often look more high-end and designer-inspired. Choosing affordable sunglasses in these classic shapes ensures they’ll be in style season after season.
Color and Finish
Neutral colors like black, tortoiseshell, and matte finishes give sunglasses a sophisticated touch. Matte frames, in particular, can look more refined than glossy finishes, as they reflect less light and create a smoother look. Tortoiseshell frames are another high-end look that works well for both casual and formal wear, offering warmth and depth to the design.
Focusing on design elements like understated logos, clean lines, classic shapes, and neutral colors can instantly upgrade the look of affordable sunglasses, making them appear more polished and expensive.
Affordable Brands with Luxe Appeal
Certain brands specialize in creating stylish, high-quality sunglasses at accessible prices. Here are a few well-regarded names in the affordable eyewear market that offer luxury-inspired designs.
Quay Australia
Known for its trendy oversized frames, Quay Australia offers fashion-forward sunglasses that rival designer styles. The brand often collaborates with celebrities, adding a touch of glamor to its collection. Quay’s frames are durable, often featuring polarized lenses and chic, statement-making designs.
Le Specs
Le Specs is renowned for its innovative styles and high-fashion-inspired designs. This Australian brand is loved for its playful yet sophisticated frames that look straight off the runway. Le Specs offers a variety of shapes, from minimalistic to bold, so you can find sunglasses that suit your style.
Sojos
Sojos offers a diverse selection of affordable sunglasses, from timeless aviators to trendy cat-eye frames. The brand is known for combining quality with affordability, often featuring polarized lenses and UV protection. Sojos sunglasses are perfect for those who want trendy designs without compromising on quality.
WearMe Pro
With a focus on modern trends, WearMe Pro offers a range of styles that look high-end without the high price tag. The brand’s frames are made with UV400 lenses, providing full UV protection, and come in styles that mimic popular designer shapes.
ZeroUV
ZeroUV has a massive selection of trendy and affordable sunglasses. The brand’s designs often replicate the latest fashion trends, making it a go-to for people who want to stay stylish on a budget. Their sunglasses range from subtle to bold, catering to various style preferences.
By choosing sunglasses from these brands, you can achieve a designer look at a fraction of the cost. Each brand offers a mix of classic and trend-driven designs, ensuring something for everyone.
Where to Buy
Finding high-quality sunglasses at affordable prices is easier than ever with various retailers offering extensive selections. Here’s a list of some of the best places to shop for affordable, stylish sunglasses:
Amazon
vast selection includes brands like Quay, Le Specs, and Sojos. With frequent discounts and customer reviews, Amazon is a great place to compare styles and prices.
Target
Target’s in-house brands and popular options from Quay and A New Day make it a top choice for stylish, budget-friendly sunglasses. Target offers trendy designs, ranging from aviators to oversized frames, often at affordable prices.
Nordstrom Rack
Known for discounting designer items, Nordstrom Rack offers sunglasses from high-end brands at reduced prices. Look out for timeless styles from popular designers at a fraction of the cost.
TJ Maxx and Marshalls
These stores frequently carry discounted designer5 sunglasses. While the stock varies, they often feature brand-name options for a fraction of retail prices.
ASOS
ASOS is perfect for those looking for trendy, affordable sunglasses. The site offers a mix of its own brands and affordable designer options, often with styles inspired by the latest fashion trends.
By shopping at these stores, you can access a wide range of affordable sunglasses that look and feel expensive, helping you complete any look with style.
Conclusion
Finding affordable sunglasses that look expensive is all about focusing on quality, design, and brand choices. By selecting frames made from materials like acetate or metal, prioritizing lenses with UV protection and polarization, and choosing classic shapes, you can enjoy the luxury look without the luxury price. Brands like Quay Australia, Le Specs, Sojos, WearMe Pro, and ZeroUV are making it easier than ever to access designer-inspired sunglasses. And with stores like Amazon, Target, Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, and ASOS offering these styles, you can find the perfect pair of sunglasses that suits your style and budget. With the right choice, you can elevate your accessory game, proving that chic, high-end style doesn’t have to be out of reach.
