Sunglasses are more than just a fashion accessory – they protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. When investing in a pair of sunglasses, especially from a luxury brand, you want quality frames made from durable materials that will last. Luxury sunglasses offer premium lens technology, stylish and timeless designs, and top-notch craftsmanship.
In this guide, we’ve compiled the best luxury sunglasses brands and top products to consider for your next pair of shades.
When selecting luxury sunglasses, here are some factors to consider:
Look for frames made of high-quality materials like acetate, titanium or stainless steel. These materials are durable and comfortable. Plastic frames are cheaper but less sturdy.
Lens material affects clarity, durability, and UV protection. Polycarbonate lenses are impact-resistant. Nylon lenses are lightweight. Glass lenses offer excellent optical clarity.
Polarized lenses reduce glare from reflective surfaces. Ideal for activities like driving, fishing, and water sports. Not ideal for looking at LCD screens.
Different tints and coatings filter specific light wavelengths and serve different purposes. Common options: grey, brown, green (anti-glare), mirrored (good sun protection), gradient (partial tint).
Ensure the lenses block 100% of UVA/UVB rays up to 400 nm. This protection is critical to prevent eye damage.
The right frame size should align with your facial features and feel comfortable. Measure your PD (pupillary distance) for ideal lens alignment.
Choose a timeless, versatile frame style that complements your face shape. Classic styles include aviators, wayfarers, cat eye, round, square, etc.
Known for its preppy designs, Tommy Hilfiger offers high-quality sunglasses without the ultra-high price tag. The brand’s sunglasses are well-crafted using durable materials like stainless steel, acetate, and scratch-resistant lenses.
Top Picks:
When you think luxury sunglasses, Ray-Ban is likely the first brand that springs to mind. Known for its excellent craftsmanship and timeless styles, especially the iconic Wayfarer and Aviator models, Ray-Ban epitomizes both fashion and function.
Top Picks:
Oakley takes a sporty, technological approach to eyewear. Its sunglasses feature patented innovations that enhance vision during sports. Oakley lenses offer unbeatable optical clarity along with premium UV protection.
Top Picks:
Handcrafted in Italy since 1917, Persol is renowned for its extremely high quality. Its sunglasses feature flexible acetate frames and crystal lenses for impeccable optical clarity. Each pair takes 2-3 months to produce.
Top Picks:
Known for luxury fashion design, Prada brings the same exceptional quality to its sunglasses range. Crafted in Italy, Prada eyewear combines innovative style with precision optics. The brand focuses on high-tech finishes and fashion-forward shapes.
Top Picks:
Aviator sunglasses have a teardrop shaped metal frame with lenses that are wider at the top. The classic style dates back to the 1930s when they were developed for pilots. Aviators are suited for round and oval face shapes.
Popular luxury brands: Ray-Ban, Tom Ford, Persol, Carrera
Wayfarer sunglasses have a thick, angular frame with trapezoidal lenses. First created by Ray-Ban in the 1950s, the wayfarer style was popularized in the 1980s and remains a fashion staple today. They suit square, oval, and diamond face shapes.
Popular luxury brands: Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol, Maui Jim
Cat eye sunglasses have an upturned frame shape that resembles feline eyes. The curved frame highlights the cheekbones. Cat eye styles work well for heart, oval, and diamond face shapes.
Popular luxury brands: Prada, Tom Ford, Celine, Barton Perreira
Round sunglasses have circular frame fronts and lenses. The versatile style offers a retro look. Round shapes pair well with square and angular face shapes.
Popular luxury brands: Oliver Peoples, ic! berlin, Mykita, Cutler and Gross
Square sunglasses have a straight, boxy frame with angular edges. The sharp style creates a bold, fashion-forward look. Square shapes complement round or oval faces.
Popular luxury brands: Prada, Gucci, Celine, Ralph Lauren
Follow these tips to properly care for expensive designer shades:
Some of the top luxury sunglasses brands are Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol, Prada, Tom Ford, Gucci, Cartier, Chanel, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Oliver Peoples, and Maui Jim. These brands offer exceptional quality, stylish designs, and premium materials.
Luxury sunglasses use high-grade materials and quality craftsmanship which increase production costs. Brands also conduct extensive R&D and incorporate proprietary technology into lenses and frames. There are also licensing fees, marketing expenditures and retailer margins which add to the price.
For many buyers, luxury sunglasses are worth the investment because you are paying for lenses that provide 100% UV protection and reduce eye strain. The frames are also extremely durable, comfortable and stylish. With proper care, luxury sunglasses can last 5-10 years or longer.
Stand in front of a mirror and use a lipstick or eyeliner to trace the outline of your face. Or have someone look straight at you and outline the face shape they see. Compare the outline to guides online to determine if your face is round, oval, square, heart, or diamond shaped. This can help select the most flattering sunglasses.
In general, gray, brown or green lenses ranging from light to medium darkness are ideal for everyday use. Darker lenses like mirrored or gradient are best suited for very bright, direct sunlight. Lighter rose or yellow lenses enhance contrast and depth perception. Specific lens tints cater to different activities like driving, golf, water sports, etc.
Sunglasses should fit snugly without feeling too tight. Make sure the frame aligns with your brow line and sits close to your temples without pinching. Arms should bend comfortably behind the ears without being loose. Nose pads should not leave marks on your nose. A proper fit prevents slippage and light leakage.
Some of the top designer brands for luxury sunglasses are Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol, and Prada. These brands offer high-end craftsmanship with durable frame materials and advanced lens technology to provide maximum protection, visual clarity and stylish looks. Ray-Ban’s Wayfarer and Aviator styles are iconic. Oakley uses patented innovations for sports performance sunglasses. Persol handcrafts extremely high quality sunglasses in Italy. Prada focuses on fashion-forward shapes and technical finishes.
The best brands for sunglasses are those that use high-grade materials like acetate, titanium or stainless steel for the frames. Brands like Ray-Ban, Oakley and Persol rely on these durable materials. The lens quality is also important – polycarbonate, nylon and glass lenses from reputable brands ensure excellent optics. Additional factors that make a brand the best include polarization, UV protection, scratch-resistance and style. Based on these criteria, some of the top brands are Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol, and Prada.
Some of the most expensive luxury sunglasses brands include Cartier, Bulgari, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Tom Ford and Kerin Rose Gold. These ultra high-end designer brands can cost $300 to even $500,000 for a single pair of sunglasses. The expensive price tags are due to the use of extremely rare, high-quality materials such as gold, diamonds, precious gems, and exotic leathers along with superior craftsmanship. The brands also reinforce exclusivity through limited edition collections.
Based on quality, reviews and popularity, the top 10 sunglasses are:
These sunglasses deliver outstanding performance, protection and style. They use premium materials for durable, comfortable frames and high-clarity lenses that shield your eyes. Many of these models feature classic silhouettes that will remain in fashion for years to come.
When purchasing luxury sunglasses, look for trusted, reputable brands that offer durable frames, superior lens technology and timeless styling. A high-quality pair that flatters your face shape provides protection, visual clarity and versatility for years to come. With proper care and maintenance, luxury sunglasses are a sound investment to shield your eyes in style.
Product prices and availability are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on merchant's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of these products. Read Affiliate Disclosure