The Best Sunglasses Brands Are Always and Forever In Style

Avidan Grossman, Gerald Ortiz

March 9, 2023, 11:51 AM·12 min read

The best sunglasses brands are infallible sources of stylish UV protection, purveyors of premium eyewear so nice it might actually ruin your day if you accidentally sit on a pair. And sure, the list is stacked with a formidable lineup of the usual suspects—the Ray-Bans, Persols, and Oakleys of the world—but you'll also come across a few names you might not know, including up-and-coming indie darlings looking to carve out a niche for themselves in the ever-crowded eyeglasses space.

The unifying through line? All of them have proven their dedication to churning out grade-A sunnies at the highest levels of craftsmanship, from sly interpretations of retro-leaning aviators, wayfarers, and clubmasters, to quirky new silhouettes entirely their own. And the surfeit of options doesn't end there. Because the best sunglasses brands today offer a variety of styles at a variety of price points, which means shilling out top-dollar for a wildly overpriced made-in-Italy option—that, to be honest, you don't even really like—is officially a ritual of the past

In other words, there's never been a better time to snag a high-quality pair of shades that'll help you look like Hollywood royalty—McQueen-approved aviators, anyone?—and block out harmful UV rays in the process. Not sure where to begin? Put your trust in these 19 eyewear brands, and then never look back—unless, of course, it's to shamelessly ogle your reflection in the window of a passing car.

Ray-Ban

Ray-Ban's eyewear pedigree speaks for itself. After nearly a century in the business, the brand's legendary roster of sunglasses needs little introduction: Dylan's Wayfarers, Maverick's Aviators, Malcolm X's Clubmasters. If you haven't owned a pair of Ray-Ban's always-in-style frames at some point in your life, now's the time to rectify that mistake, STAT.

Ray-Ban Clubmaster sunglasses

$163.00, Amazon

Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses

$163.00, Amazon

Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses

$163.00, Nordstrom

Ray-Ban Caravan sunglasses

$163.00, Ray-Ban

Persol

There's a reason Persol's frames have long been a favorite of pilots, Formula One drivers, and bona fide Hollywood royalty: the brand's instantly recognizable designs positively ooze old-school Italian elegance, without compromising on the type of durability a race track—or a red carpet—calls for.

Persol 649 sunglasses

$267.00, Amazon

Persol 714 sunglasses

$394.00, Amazon

Persol 9649 sunglasses

$195.00, Amazon

Persol 3262 sunglasses

$208.00, Amazon

Oakley

Oakley isn't an official sponsor of the MLB, but it might as well be. Its performance-minded sunglasses have long been a favorite of the league's most stylish stars, who've always appreciated what the menswear masses are only now cottoning on to: the brand's distinct, sport-inspired silhouettes look good on anyone, anywhere—whether you're shagging fly balls in the park or strutting your stuff on the street.

Oakley "Holbrook" sunglasses

$212.00, Amazon

Oakley Radar EV Path rectangular sunglasses

$211.00, Amazon

Oakley Ballistic M Frame 2.0 Shield sunglasses

$153.00, Amazon

Oakley Flak 2.0 XL rectangular sunglasses

$219.00, Amazon

Carrera

Since their introduction in the '50s, Carrera's signature oversized shades have graced famous faces aplenty; the brand helped make Tony Montana a legend in Scarface and has been a perennial go-to for Tinseltown's A-list ever since. Today, Carrera sells sunglasses designed to help you avoid the papparazzi (or look like someone who might have to).

Carrera aviator sunglasses

$48.00, Amazon

Carrera polarized aviator sunglasses

$160.00, Nordstrom

Carrera CA 256 navigator sunglasses

$195.00, Nordstrom

Carrera 99mm oversize rectangular sunglasses

$185.00, Nordstrom

Oliver Peoples

Oliver Peoples began life as a small boutique on Hollywood Boulevard peddling vintage American shades. Since setting up shop in the late '80s, the brand has evolved into a serious contender in the eyewear space, churning out handsome sunnies inspired by the retro frames it used to stock, crafted from some of the highest quality materials in the world.

Oliver Peoples x Fai Khadra "Fai" sunglasses

$490.00, SSENSE

Oliver Peoples "Len" 49 round-frame acetate sunglasses

$430.00, Mr Porter

Oliver Peoples "Emet" sunglasses

$350.00, SSENSE

Oliver Peoples "Martineaux" sunglasses

$485.00, SSENSE

Moscot

For over five generations, Moscot has outfitted discerning New Yorkers—along with an increasingly global customer base—with eyewear that'd make its founder, the Belarusian immigrant Hyman Moscot, proud. The family-run NYC institution makes some of the best sunglasses in the game, and thanks to its expansive online presence you don't have to be an expert on Lower Manhattan subway lines to get in on the action.

Moscot "Lemtosh" sunglasses

$340.00, Moscot

Moscot Foygel sunglasses

$350.00, Moscot

Moscot "Gelt" sunglasses

$340.00, Moscot

Moscot "Avram" sunglasses

$340.00, Moscot

Warby Parker

A little over a decade ago, Warby Parker sent Big Glasses into a panic with its promise of middleman-less, affordable eyewear made with the same standards as its luxury counterparts. In the years since, the DTC eyewear giant made good on its promise to upend the industry by expanding into sunglasses too, causing rival executives no small amount of headache and giving customers across the country plenty of reason to celebrate.

Warby Parker "Downing" sunglasses

$95.00, Warby Parker

Warby Parker "Harris" sunglasses

$95.00, Warby Parker

Warby Parker "Hatcher" sunglasses

$95.00, Warby Parker

Warby Parker NST2-002 sunglasses

$95.00, Warby Parker

Randolph Engineering

Randolph Engineering has been the prime aviator plug for the Department of Defense since the '80s. The company is still based in the small Massachusetts town it's named for, and its sunglasses are still manufactured with the type of military-grade precision that'll help your eyes withstand the everyday rigors of civilian life—and then some.

Randolph Engineering classic aviator sunglasses

$249.00, Amazon

Randolph Engineering "Cecil" over-sized square sunglasses

$249.00, Amazon

Randolph Engineering navigator aviator II sunglasses

$339.00, Randolph Engineering

Randolph Engineering "Hamilton" round hexagon sunglasses

$309.00, Amazon

Jacques Marie Mage

If the recent Jeremy Strong cosign didn't quite convince you, allows us to: GQ has been touting Jacques Marie Mage's bona fides for years now, gracing the temples of Keanu, Brad Pitt, and others with its top-end frames. Eyewear obsessive Jerome Mage founded the cult-loved label in 2014, and it's racked up an impressive roster of high-profile clients since. (Loki scene-stealer Jonathan Majors is also a devoted fan.) Yes, these small-batch, primo-quality shades will cost you a pretty penny, but copping a pair of sunglasses that no one else at the beach/party/beach party will have? Priceless.

Jacques Marie Mage x Umit Benan "Dealan" square-frame tortoiseshell acetate sunglasses

$895.00, Mr Porter

Jacques Marie Mage "Taos" sunglasses

$750.00, Matchesfashion

Jacques Marie Mage Circa "Viola" sunglasses

$760.00, SSENSE

Jacques Marie Mage "Jagger" aviator-style gold-tone titanium sunglasses

$995.00, Mr Porter

Lexxola

Lexxola makes retro-inflected shades for the extremely online set, the type of tinted sunglasses algorithmically guaranteed to give you a serious bump in followers. The brand's unisex eyewear became ubiquitous on Instagram last year shortly after it introduced its now-signature silhouette, a pair of square-frame sunnies that hearken back to the best of '60s style.

Lexxola "Ringo" sunglasses

$250.00, SSENSE

Lexxola "Damien" sunglasses

$240.00, Lexxola

Lexxola "Storm" sunglasses

$210.00, SSENSE

Lexxola "Neo" sunglasses

$290.00, Lexxola

Retrosuperfuture

Since the late aughts, Retrosuperfuture has been hawking unabashedly quirky eyewear that doesn't compromise on quality—and tends to clock in at less than $200 a pair. Keeping prices low but innovation high is a tricky alchemy the Italian brand has nearly perfected over the years, as its stellar selection of shades attests to. If you're looking to score some runway-ready sunglasses on the (relative) cheap, you couldn't do much better than starting here.

Retrosuperfuture Caro sunglasses

$180.00, End. Clothing

Retrosuperfuture Tutto Lattementa sunglasses

$229.00, Retrosuperfuture

Retrosuperfuture "Zenya" sunglasses

$225.00, SSENSE

Retrosuperfuture "Lazarus" sunglasses

$215.00, SSENSE

Barton Perreira

Barton Perreira co-founders Bill Barton and Patty Perreira share an expertise in luxury eyewear honed over long careers in the industry, including time at Oliver Peoples—Perreira as a designer and Barton as an executive. The duo's sunglasses are handmade to exacting specifications out of lightweight titanium and plant-based acetates, a standard-setting level of craftsmanship that'll cost you, but is worth every cent.

Barton Perreira 007 "Norton" tortoiseshell round sunglasses

$440.00, Bergdorf Goodman

Barton Perreira "Lono" square sunglasses

$490.00, Neiman Marcus

Barton Perreira "Courtier" sunglasses

$590.00, Neiman Marcus

Barton Perreira Lioness two-tone acetate cat-eye sunglasses

$515.00, Bergdorf Goodman

Cutler and Gross

After a chance meeting in optometry school, Graham Cutler and Tony Gross set out to make a name for themselves crafting bespoke sunglasses for a roster of high-flying clients—and upended the eyewear industry in the process. Since the late '60s, the duo have helped elevate what were once considered mere necessities to the realm of grail-worthy accessories using a combination of Italian craftsmanship and unimpeachable design chops. More than 40 years into its run, the brand is still committed to churning out the famously logo-less frames that've endeared it to so many discerning customers since its founding.

Cutler and Gross 9926 sunglasses

$560.00, SSENSE

Cutler and Gross 56mm flat top sunglasses

$550.00, Nordstrom

Cutler and Gross 1391 sunglasses

$625.00, Mr Porter

Cutler and Gross square lens sunglasses

$424.00, Farfetch

Garrett Leight

For Garrett Lieght, sunglasses aren't so much an accessory as a birthright. The son of Oliver Peoples founder Larry Leight, the West Coast native launched his own line of premium eyewear in 2010 and never looked back. (Worry not: the two are still close.) Inspired by the sights and sounds of the younger Leight's Venice Beach hometown, the eponymous label takes classic styles and updates them with a distinctly LA twist. Today, the brand specializes in the type of discrete shades you'd slip on to avoid an awkward fan encounter at Erewhon or shield your eyes from the paparazzi's flash—y'know, the typical trappings of California livin'.

Garrett Leight "Wilson" sunglasses

$390.00, J.Crew

Garrett Leight "Roku II" S sunglasses

$625.00, Garrett Leight

Garrett Leight "Calabar" sunglasses

$385.00, Garrett Leight

Garrett Leight "Griffith" S sunglasses

$625.00, Garrett Leight

Matsuda

Matsuda’s carefully handcrafted shades have been an industry favorite since the late ‘80s, when Mitsuhiro Matsuda—a close associate of Kenzo Takada and a trailblazing designer in his own right—launched his debut eyewear collection. A mainstay of ‘90s pop culture, the line was reintroduced under new ownership in 2012, but it remains committed to its founder’s guiding vision: strong, architectural shapes made in Sabae, Japan, a small city in the Fukui prefecture famous for its optical expertise. The brand's frames merge distinct artisanal detailing with forward-looking designs, a mix Matsuda himself pioneered as a founding member of the Tokyo Designer Six. And thanks to a growing roster of global stockists, its under-the-radar sunnies are now easier than ever to access stateside

Matsuda 2903H sunglasses

$745.00, SSENSE

Matsuda M2055 sunglasses

$675.00, SSENSE

Matsuda M1026 sunglasses

$520.00, SSENSE

Matsuda M1024 sunglasses

$520.00, SSENSE

Raen

It makes sense that some of the best sunglasses on the planet would hail from the West Coast (and want to remind you of it at every turn), but Raen wears its California heritage lightly. The SoCal brand founded by brothers Justin and Jeremy Heit crowdfunded its way to overnight success in 2008, and has been hawking cheerful, classic frames designed with a surfer bro’s laid-back disposition ever since. You’d probably be bummed losing a pair in pursuit of a monster wave, but at a little under 200 bucks you can afford to double-up—and order a couple of backups, just in case.

Raen "Remmy 49" sunglasses

$150.00, Amazon

Raen "Adin" sunglasses

$120.00, Amazon

Raen "Clyve" sunglasses

$185.00, Amazon

Raen "Friar 53" sunglasses

$150.00, Amazon

Akila

LA-based newcomer Akila has been shaking up the field since 2018 with contemporary flagship styles as well as an insatiable appetite for collaborations with some of the coolest underground brands (Mister Green, Malbon Golf, Pleasures, to name a few). From '90s-inflected shapes to slick sporty silhouettes to far-out colors and classic designs, Akila's approach to sunglasses is fun, free-spirited, and willing to experiment. And somehow, they do it all with the attention to detail and level of quality you'd expect from other sunglasses thrice their price.

Akila "Mabel" sunglasses

$120.00, Akila

Akila Polaris sunglasses

$150.00, Akila

Akila Logos sunglasses

$140.00, SSENSE

Akila Alias sunglasses

$140.00, SSENSE

Crap Eyewear

Few brands offer the kind of fresh, fun frames that Crap Eyewear specializes in, and even fewer offer 'em at this price. The Gen Z set flocks to the SoCal label in droves, enchanted by the its distinct '90s/Y2k aesthetic. (Naturally, Jonah Hill is a fan, too.) At under $100, their sunnies are some of the most affordable on this list, but they deliver big-time on the quality front as well, especially compared to competitors whose sunglasses cost double—even quadruple—the price.

Crap Eyewear Heavy Tropix sunglasses

$109.00, Crap Eyewear

Crap Eyewear Jazz Safari sunglasses

$89.00, Crap Eyewear

Crap Eyewear Bikini Vision sunglasses

$119.00, Crap Eyewear

Crap Eyewear Supa Phreek sunglasses

$89.00, Crap Eyewear

Sun Buddies

Sun Buddies makes it easy to feel like a celebrity, largely because every pair of sunglasses the brand sells is inspired by an actual A-lister, from Liam Gallagher to Naomi Campbell. With names like “Courtney”, “Lenny”, and “Aaliyah”, its evocative shades wear their influence on their rims. Who doesn't want to slip on a pair of stellar frames and suddenly look a little more famous?