The Wall Street Journal did an investigative report on designer sunglasses and found out that the hefty price tag you pay for your expensive shades might not really be worth it. One particular argument is the fact that most sunglasses are made by one main Italian company called Luxottica, who produces for Burberry, Chanel, Polo Ralph Lauren, Paul Smith, Stella McCartney, Tiffany and Versace to name a few. Basically if you buy designer glasses you are paying for the name on the arm, but getting the same quality as your local pharmacy glasses on the shelf. Check out this excerpt from the article below:
Those expensive sunglasses may not be any better for your eyes, either. “Three hundred dollar sunglasses don’t do anything better than $100 sunglasses, except maybe look better and have a brand name associated with them” says Dr. Jay Duker, chair of ophthalmology at Tufts Medical Center.
“A significant chunk of what you pay for isn’t the quality of the lenses, it’s the brand,” adds Dr. Reza Dana, director of the cornea and refractive surgery service at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. He notes that making lenses that offer protection against harmful ultra-violet rays “isn’t very expensive technology.” And while spending more may get you better quality frames, here, too, there are laws of diminishing returns.
For about $40, says Dr. Duker, you can get a pair that offers 100% protection against ultra-violet rays. If you spend maybe $70 you should be able to get a pair with decent quality polarizing lenses that cut out glare. Beyond that, the medical benefits tail off pretty fast.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Tell us something we didn’t know, everyone knows when you buy expensive clothing and accesories, you’re simply paying for the brand
But who didnt know this? Your payin for the name first and style second.
No one is tellin me that a white tee from LV isnt made fom the same material a white tee from Gap is… lol
My $560 Gucci glasses were sat on by my boy, so I bought $5 sunglasses in Chinatown, and I actually like them better than the $560 pair. The $5 pair were actually 400 UV protection, too. I dont remember the Gucci’s having a UV protection on it.
DUH. The only difference is the name.
Did they really need to do a report on this?
“not those hundered doller ray bans, these 6.75″ – wiz khalifa
Goooooood one.
Luxottica and Safilo has the eye frame industry on lock down! If you really want a great piece make sure you do your research or just buy them on sale. There are a lot of independent makers that have quality products.
Get Oakley’s. The are the highest quality sunglasses you can get.
WOW the investigative reporters over at the Wall Street Journal have really uncovered a big one here! All media outlets should be scared shitless. With that type of talent over at the Journal no secret is safe. They may even be able to prove that the Hills wasn’t really a reality show.
@mr.toronto…u must be out ur monkey ass brain! $560 for sunnies? Gucci at that? lol if im spending over 400 its def not gonna be gucci, blvgari, hermes, i could swing with as those are real luxury,but gucci? Gucci lost its luxury back in the 90′s when everyone could knock them off and look better than the authentic. Moving along…..
not surprised
Next thing you know these geniuses will be telling us that a Hyundai will get us from point A to point B just about as well as a Rolls Royce, only cheaper.