Choosing a new pair of glasses can be challenging. Not only do you need to find the right frame for your face and style, but you want to be sure that the glasses are top quality.
The frames that you choose can have a huge impact on the first impression you make. With it only taking a tenth of a second to make a first impression, you want to make it count. Finding the right designer glasses for you is a surefire way to nail first impressions — a recent study showing that designer glasses instantly make us look fashion-conscious and self-aware.
Beyond making the right first impression, choosing designer glasses assures you of the quality of your eyewear. But with so many choices and styles, it can be difficult to find the right designer brand for you. Do you go for a classic designer like Gucci or a more contemporary brand like Tom Ford? To help you discover your signature specs, we’ve put together this rundown of some of the best designer glasses brands.
What Makes a Great Designer Glasses Brand?
Before we jump into the brands themselves, we need to establish just what makes a designer brand one of the best in the world. So what makes a designer brand great?
- Premium quality materials
- Warranty and assurance
- Superior design
- Durability
Designer glasses are about so much more than just a logo or a brand name. Many of the best designers have been in business for the best part of the last 100 years and have built their reputation on the criteria above.
Best Eyewear Brands: Ray-Ban
Are there any eyewear brands as iconic as Ray-Ban? Since the introduction of Aviators, Ray-Ban sunglasses have been worn by a long list of celebrities, including:
- James Dean
- Marilyn Monroe
- Kate Middleton
- Taylor Swift
- Beyonce
But while Ray-Ban is undoubtedly a fashion powerhouse, the brand began in the military. In 1929, a US Air Corps Colonel, John A. Macready, worked with Bausch and Lomb in New York to create a new pair of sunglasses for pilots. The intention was to create a pair of sunglasses to ensure good visibility while flying. The 1936 prototype had plastic frames and green lenses. But by 1939, the sunglasses had evolved into the iconic Aviators.
While still associated with the US military, Aviators and Ray-Ban have eclipsed their roots. The brand has become one of the driving forces in the eyewear market. Their recent collaboration with Facebook shows that innovation is still at the core of the brand.
Ray-Ban’s range expands beyond sunglasses and includes a large selection of prescription frames so you can enjoy their glasses regardless of the weather. All Ray-Ban use the highest quality materials for their glasses to ensure they are durable and stylish.
Best Eyewear Brands: Tom Ford
Despite only launching in 2005, Tom Ford has established itself as one of the best designer eyewear brands in the world. Its range of glasses and sunglasses take inspiration from the 1970s and 80s and are worn by:
- Jennifer Aniston
- Angelina Jolie
- Jessica Alba
But Tom Ford eyewear is not only worn by celebrities but fictional spies, with James Bond sporting Tom Ford glasses in No Time to Die.
Tom Ford served a long apprenticeship to fine-tune his fashion and design instincts before establishing his own label. After a brief stint studying New York and then acting, he worked for some of the biggest fashion labels, including Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent.
Tom Ford sunglasses and glasses often adapt and redesign classic styles and are a great way to make a statement with your eyewear. They use the highest grade to create all their glasses and combine 70s and 80s style with modern, contemporary designs.
Best Eyewear Brands: Oliver Peoples
From the heart of Hollywood, Oliver Peoples glasses take inspiration from their iconic surroundings. Each of their frames has subtle nods to classic Hollywood, but their eyewear range is just as popular with modern film stars, such as:
- Robert Downey Jr.
- Johnny Depp
- Zooey Deschanel
- Harrison Ford
Despite oozing the luxury of the golden era of Hollywood, Oliver Peoples was established in 1987. Since its beginnings, the brand has focused on craftsmanship with subtle detailing, retro-inspired designs to create sophisticated and stylish frames for men and women.
One of the most significant factors that make Oliver Peoples one of the best designer glasses brands in the world is that its glasses are handcrafted. All Oliver Peoples glasses and sunglasses are handmade in Japan and Italy in limited quantities to ensure that each pair of glasses is distinctive and unique to stand out but hard-wearing enough for day-to-day wear.
Best Eyewear Brands: Gucci
No list of the best designer glasses brands would be complete without Gucci. There are few fashion houses in the world bigger than Gucci. The Italian designer brand is known worldwide for its iconic double G logo, instantly recognisable on the runway and red carpet. Gucci eyewear is a favourite for famous faces such as:
- Billie Eilish
- Emma Roberts
- Rihanna
- Victoria Beckham
This year, Gucci is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The brand first opened in 1921 when Guccio Gucci, the son of an Italian leather goods maker, was inspired by guest’s luggage at the Savoy in London. When he returned to Italy from London, Gucci started producing luxury travel goods.
Since then, the brand has established itself as one of the biggest names in fashion. Gucci eyewear takes inspiration from the 1960s and 70s with bold colours, shapes and intricate details. Each pair of Gucci glasses is handmade with the highest grade acetate, so wearers can be sure their glasses are stylish and durable.
Best Eyewear Brands: Prada
Prada is synonymous with luxury and style, and since its humble beginnings in 1913, the designer brand has become one of the biggest names in fashion. But it’s not just the devil that wears this brand; their designer frames are the choices glasses of celebrities such as:
- Jennifer Lopez
- Rita Ora
- Dua Lipa
- Lady Gaga
The fashion giant was started in 1913 by two brothers, Mario and Martino Prada. Originally called “Fratelli Prada”, the Milan-based designers focused on handbags, accessories, and jewellery. Only six years after launching, Prada became the official supplier of the Italian royal family.
Since then, Prada has expanded its range to include eyewear, and their range epitomises the values that the brand has held dear since the very beginning. Every pair of glasses and sunglasses have their own unique style that blends practicality with high-end luxury. Prada eyeglasses are made using cellulose acetate with designs that comprise bold styles, shapes and colours.
Discover Your Signature Eyewear
While the designers above are undoubtedly some of the best designer glasses brands globally, they are by no means the only ones. There are plenty of other great designer labels that create frames with vision. Burberry and Oakley are just two that stand out from the crowd. With so many options and collections, you’re spoilt for choice to find your perfect pair.
When you’re buying designer glasses, you need to be sure that the frames you are purchasing are genuine, especially if you are buying online. Spotting fake replicas is vital to make sure the glasses you buy are authentic and top quality. When purchasing, be sure to look out for:
- Price — If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. It is highly unlikely that a genuine pair of designer glasses will be available for £20.
- Reputation — Looking into reviews of the seller and generally steer clear of auction sites. If you're unsure about a seller, you can check the designer's website to see if they are an authorised seller.
- Gut feeling — If you're not sure that a pair of glasses are genuinely designer frames, trust that feeling and look elsewhere.
All our designer glasses are 100% genuine and come with a guarantee of authenticity and a 12-month manufacturer’s warranty.
Use our industry-leading Virtual Reality Try-on technology to find your next pair of designer glasses today. Search our extensive collection of glasses and sunglasses from brands like Gucci, Tom Ford and Ray-Ban
