More than an eye protection item, sunglasses have become a fashion accessory that can complete and vamp up your outfit. A few decades ago, sunglasses weren’t as popular as they are today and people used to only wear them when it was absolutely necessary. Today, there are a number of brands & designs available and finding the right style to fit your face is of great importance.
Types Of Sunglasses
Although we say that sunglasses are a fashion accessory nowadays, their primary use is still to protect your eyes from harmful UV light.
1. UV Protection Sunglasses
UV protection sunglasses protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays that can cause damage to the eyes, skin, etc. When looking for sunglasses, make sure to choose ones that provide 100% coverage and that are both UVA and UVB protective. UVA rays can penetrate your eyes easily causing cataracts and, in some cases, damage to the retina. UVB rays are even more harmful than UVA rays because they are absorbed by your cornea.
2. Polarized Sunglasses
‘Glare’ is one of the greatest problems when you are driving, skiing, or are just out in the sun. This is why polarized glasses were created - they have an invisible chemical coating that reduces the intensity of light and nullifies the glare and reflection caused by the sun. However, these types of sunglasses aren’t always UV protective.
10 Brands Of Sunglasses For Women
1. Ray-Ban
Ray-Ban has been in the business since the 1930s, when it first started making ‘Aviators’, which are still their best-sellers to this day. This style of glasses is so unique that no other brand can replicate them. It was started by Bausch & Lomb, who had to make glasses for the US Aviation Department to help the aircraft pilots protect their eyes from the sun. Then came the ‘Wayfarers,’ which were also a big hit. The best part is that they are unisex.
2. Oakley
Oakley first started manufacturing sport and performance equipment including sunglasses. Even back then it was considered a strong competitor to Ray-Ban. Oakley glasses are robust, durable, and perfect for outdoor activities, which is what garnered the brand’s popularity. It has hundreds of patents under its belt for its innovation in technology, materials, designs, etc. that go into the making of sunglasses. From sportswear and fashionable sunglasses to prescription sunglasses, Oakley products mean quality and style.
3. Maui Jim
Maui Jim is a corporation with roots in Hawaii, which is why it follows the Hawaiian theme. They started making sunglasses for aquatic sports and moved on to other lines rather quickly. Later, it went on to making non-prescription sunglasses, prescription glasses, etc., giving its customers many fashionable choices. Today, Maui Jim has a vast range of products to offer and is a brand that people want to be associated with. Flak 2.0 XL, TwoFace, Holbrook, and Fives Squared Shape sunglasses are top products among users because of their great quality and contemporary styles.
4. Prada
An Italian luxury brand, Prada, founded by Mario Prada in 1913, joined the De Rigo group to make eye wear and launched its first collection in 2000. They are known for their elegance and sophistication. Prada sunglasses have a very retro and old-world charm to them, yet are modern and impeccably stylish, which is why most women choose Prada.
5. Fendi
Fendi, an Italian fashion house, offers sunglasses which are easily distinguished by their grace and style. Fendi has a collection of designer’s sunglasses which gives the feel of a luxurious lifestyle and high profile living standards with its sophisticated style. This brand also specializes in fur, ready-to-wear, leather goods, shoes, fragrances, eye wear, accessories, and timepieces. Fendi is the best sunglasses brand for men and women all around the world because of its quality eye wear and classy composition with some of the finest designs.
6. Burberry
Burberry is a fashion company based in London, England, known for its fashion accessories, sunglasses, fragrances, and cosmetics. It is considered as one of best sunglasses brands and most valuable brands in the world. This luxury brand offers sophisticated designs that exude high quality and elegance and are also comfortable and reliable among all other sunglasses brands. This brand appeals to both men and women.
7. Police
Police is another Italian brand that started in the 1980s. It specializes in manufacturing sunglasses. They started gaining popularity when people began to like the designs, quality, and options Police had to offer. Later, it went on to make perfumes and apparel too.
8. Kate Spade
Kate Spade New York started in 1993 as a fashion house, giving competition to Michael Kors right from its start. What began with colorful bags expanded to apparel, shoes, handbags, and sunglasses, all of which were equally popular. There is a colorful and vibrant energy associated with this brand.
9. Dolce & Gabbana
Another Italian brand founded in 1985 by designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, is recognized as one of the most famous fashion brands in the world. It is one of most popular and sought-after brands that offers product excellence to their customers worldwide. The timeless and most updated products of Dolce & Gabbana also include shades and corrective eye wear among other product lines across the globe.
D&G Eyewear is a part of the brand extension and became a massive hit with its signature D&G letters on either side of the frame. Today, the brand’s products are coveted in most parts of the world. The stylish and trendy sunglasses from the brand are equally popular with both men and women.
10. Christian Dior
Christian Dior, a French company, is known for its couture apparel, handbags, perfumes, and eye wear – which turned out to be its most valuable brand extension. Dior Eyewear was started more than 20 years ago in association with Safilo Group. Together, they have been making remarkable eye wear, breaking barriers, and exploring fashion boundaries. They continue to invest in research and development to create eye wear that is modern, feminine, and fashionable, while providing full protection.
Women’s sunglasses offer much more diversity and a greater creative freedom for sunglasses designers. From one side, this looks like a good thing, but maybe for the average buyer, it can make it much more difficult to see all of them and find a decent pair. The brands above are merely some of the brands popular this year.