Best Brands/Stores to Buy Eyewear?

Zenni

Yeah, Zenni. I used to pay hundreds for glasses and the most I've spent there is $50. All you need is a prescription.

There's a company you've probably never heard of -- Luxottica -- which makes the majority of the world's frames under all sorts of names. In the interest of competition you might want to do some research and make sure you're not buying a Luxottica frame.

About 90% of the frame manufacturers are owned by one multi-national (Luxottica). They also own Pearle which is a mid-priced chain. The cheapest chain is America's Best-----they don't carry things like rimless frames (which are what I wear). There is nothing wrong with Costco. You'll find many of the same lines at other stores. You'll pay more for the most current or unusual styles. I broke away from rimless for some Danish-designed modern frames for awhile. You'll have to go to a higher end optical place for those.

I think Luxottica is the one that makes the cheap "designer" brands I mentioned. They're a semi-monopoly based out of Italy. There isn't anything wrong with Costco, but I was curious if there were any other brands that are popular with the guys here. You guys usually name drop the best brands that I usually never hear about, and even if the glasses cost 300 it would be interesting to look them up. I honestly wouldn't mind paying 300 if they were well designed and fashionable, as I usually keep a pair for four years or so.

Warby Parker is affordable and they have a cool app that lets you try on frames virtually.

My current glasses are from Warby Parker. They are just fine. However, depending on what “add-ons” you get for the lenses, they aren’t necessarily cheap.

Why not just research your area for a store that has a good selection of frames? I have a large face and I like to actually try on glasses. Some of the smaller frames look ridiculous on me.

Be prepared to pay a lot, though. Especially if you want transition lenses, etc.

R8 Never thought of that! Thanks sir.

I used to love Ray Bans..the "new" wayfarers for my prescription sunglasses and the small RB aviators for my regular prescription glasses. Now they make them in China instead of Italy and they are crap.

Avoid them

Ray-Ban is one of Luxottica’s many brands.

I don’t like Warby Parker because none of their frames have spring hinges.

I’ve gotten glasses from Zenni I liked and even been complimented on them.

But if you’re in love with a particular designer brand because of its color or silhouette, what do you do?

Well, try them on in the store, make sure you write down the size, and then buy the frames on eBay for cheap. Then use a mail order lensing place like re-lens and it’s so much cheaper.

I was in love with a pair of Persol frames, got them on eBay, new for about $100, and lenses online for $60. And then I got custom clip-on sunglasses (I love me a clip-on!) for about $100, instead of $300 at the optometrist.

Yes R11 but now they are making the RBs in China..my older ones were made in Italy and held up well...not so much for the newer pair made in China. So, Luxottica completely sold out. If I want glasses made in China, I'll spring for the cheap ones, not frames that cost over $250

I got Ray Ban frames, bifocals, blue blocker, transition lens all for only $800. Fortunately my vision insurance covered all of it, but $100.