We’ve all seen it. A shop in the centre of town that claims to have The Best Deals On The Most Exciting Sunglasses Ever. Except any fashion lover knows that not all of the sunglasses in that window have achieved true cult status. While it’s true that many glasses have made an impact and become household names, only a few brand names can truly claim to have actually changed the world we live in.
In reality, there are a few more brands than these which have done the unthinkable and forged a path in every street in the modern world, but here’s a good taste of the finest sunglass manufacturers out there, what they stand for and why saving-up for them is going to make you look seriously cool.
Oakley Sunglasses
If you’re looking for designer models you can genuinely afford, then Oakley have to be one of the biggest names on the market. Not bad for a garage company that started in 1975 and has had to compete with a slew of very fashion-conscious labels ever since.
Jim Jannard was the guy responsible for bringing Californian brand Oakley into the consciousness of stylish people everywhere. He started the firm with just $300 and there was no mucking about when it came to naming his company. He simply named it after his beloved English setter dog.
And if you thought that Oakley were purely a snowboarding brand then you can think again. In fact, Oakley have, over the years, really done it all. Aside from releasing classic grips for motocross, they’ve brought out products in BMX and made glasses that span an entire range of action sports. One of the defining features of Oakley sunglasses has always been their goggle shape.
By giving sunglasses a new and intriguing twist, the Californian company have reached into almost every single market. Nowadays, they’re just as popular with men in suits as ladies on catwalks. It’s also worth mentioning that when the Chilean miners got stuck down a mine in 2010, Oakley stepped in and donated a load of sunglasses for the miners upon their escape from the ground.
Prada sunglasses
When it comes to chalk and cheese, Prada and Oakley couldn’t be more different. While Oakley wearers are just as likely to be out on the slopes or careering down a mountain side on downhill bikes, owners of Prada are more likely to be sipping cocktails or attending a prestigious fashion event.
But that’s where Prada have been clever. Instead of evolving into a brand that shuns the mainstream, they have, instead, transpired into one of the biggest names in the sunglasses business. As such, and due to their supreme range of products, they have something for everyone.
And one thing is true of everything that Prada do. It’s always of paramount quality. Aside from anything, of course, we’re talking about an infamous Italian fashion giant here.
Somehow, Prada manage to be both small, large, posh and mainstream. Most importantly, they do much more than just sunglasses. That means that quality is guaranteed at all times, and you’ll easily be able to find advice on matching your Prada sunglasses with other items from their exciting multitude of ranges.
Ray-Ban sunglasses
Not down with Oakley and Prada are too much fashion overload for you? In that case, Ray-Ban have to be one of the most exciting brands to have ever come into being. After all, take a walk down the street in the summer and you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone wearing sunglasses which don’t at least look slightly similar.
Responsible for creating a hundred replicas, Ray-Ban glasses are a sight to behold. And the best thing is that there’s no snobbery involved. The firm have tons of options, too, so if you’re looking for something a little different to the standard black then you should find yourself easily acquainted.
One of the big reasons why Ray-Ban have continued to be in demand, is the simple fact that here is a company who know how to move with the times. As fashion has changed, so have Ray-Ban, bringing out more products but still maintaining the same edge they’ve always possessed.
Last but by no means least, it goes without saying that Ray-Ban are about as American as the invention of the cheeseburger. Developed firstly to shield US aviators from the blinding sun while fighting in the sky, the firm are just as much about keeping eyes safe as they are making their owners looking good.
A natural born writer, Stacey Barton writes professionally and for fun across a wide range of niches with particular attention to how classic brands can continue to offer the same product for decades and somehow survive the turbulent and ever changing consumer market.
