As an American, the process of choosing the right eyeglasses brand for yourself can be broken down into several steps and considerations:
- Eye Examination and Prescription Update:
- First and foremost, ensure you have a current and up-to-date prescription from an eye doctor or optometrist through a comprehensive eye exam.
- Determining Your Needs:
- Based on your vision condition and personal preferences, decide whether you need optical glasses for daily vision correction or sunglasses (including prescription sunglasses).
- If you require contact lenses or colored contacts (cosmetic lenses), research FDA-approved brands and products to ensure they meet safety standards.
- Selecting Brands and Quality:
- In the US market, well-known brands like Ray-Ban are popular for their high-quality and stylish designs, especially in sunglasses.
- For optical frames, there is a wide range of options including those from Luxottica Group such as Oakley, Prada, Versace, among others, as well as independent designer brands that offer various styles, comfort levels, and durability.
- Budget and Value for Money:
- Consider your budget and choose between high-end designer brands, mid-range mainstream brands, or more affordable ones.
- Large chain optical stores like LensCrafters and Warby Parker provide products across different price points while ensuring quality and after-sales service.
- Try-On Experience:
- Visiting a physical store to try on glasses personally is crucial in selecting the right frame style since a proper fit enhances comfort and complements individual facial features.
- When shopping online, check the return and exchange policies if purchasing eyewear to ensure it’s easy to switch out unsuitable pairs.
- Material and Functionality:
- Choose from materials like metal, plastic, hybrid materials, or titanium alloys, each with unique benefits such as lightweight, durable, hypoallergenic properties.
- Some glasses may also come with features like blue light protection, scratch resistance, and UV protection based on individual needs.
- Online Shopping Tips:
- Browse major e-commerce websites to compare prices and services, looking out for coupons or discount codes.
- Many online eyewear retailers like Zenni Optical and EyeBuyDirect allow customization of glasses by directly inputting your prescription information.
- Professional Guidance:
- While in-store, utilize the expertise of the staff who can recommend suitable frames and lens types based on factors like your face shape, bridge width, etc.
Let me introduce the top ten eyewear brands in the United States:
RAYBAN:
Ray-Ban is a globally renowned brand of sunglasses and optical eyewear, originating in the United States during the 1930s. The brand was established by Bausch & Lomb, and has gained significant fame for its exceptional design, high-quality products, and association with military applications.
Ray-Ban sunglasses were initially developed to address the needs of pilots who encountered intense sunlight at high altitudes. In 1923, an issue faced by an American Air Force lieutenant after prolonged exposure to strong sunlight while flying led to the creation of Ray-Ban’s first aviator-style sunglasses by Bausch & Lomb in 1930. These sunglasses effectively blocked glare, absorbed a large amount of sunlight, and maintained clear vision for the wearer.
Over time, Ray-Ban has consistently innovated, introducing several classic models such as the Wayfarer (Traveler series), Clubmaster (Clubmaster series), among others, each characterized by distinctive designs and outstanding functionality. Ray-Ban glasses are not only recognized for their protective features but also cherished by Hollywood stars and regular consumers alike for their fashion appeal and iconic status, making them one of the world’s best-selling and highly esteemed sunglass brands.
Moreover, Ray-Ban employs advanced lens technologies, offering features like UV protection and polarized lenses to reduce glare, ensuring wearers’ comfort and visual health.
In summary, Ray-Ban stands as a synonym for top-quality sun-blocking eyewear, representing both functional excellence and a part of popular culture. With its commitment to traditional craftsmanship, cutting-edge materials, and timeless design elements, the brand occupies a prominent position within the eyewear industry.
Oakley OAKLEY:
Oakley is a renowned eyewear brand originating from the United States, founded in 1975 by Jim Jannard. Initially, Oakley focused on innovating high-performance sports equipment and accessories, particularly gaining fame for its production of top-quality, technologically advanced sport sunglasses.
Oakley has consistently been at the forefront of optical technology and product design. One of its signature features is the use of “High Definition Optics” (HDO) technology, which delivers superior visual clarity and color accuracy, minimizes visual distortion, and offers users an unprecedented visual experience. The brand’s eyewear products are widely utilized across various sporting scenarios such as running, cycling, skiing, golfing, water sports, and more, and are favored by global athletes and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Beyond its professional sports series, Oakley also offers a range of fashionable everyday sunglasses and optical frames to cater to diverse consumer preferences. Additionally, Oakley’s “Military Edition” sunglasses are highly esteemed and adopted as standard issue by military forces around the world, including the U.S. Special Forces, due to their exceptional performance and durability.
In summary, Oakley eyewear has established itself as a premium brand for high-end sports eyewear globally through its use of high-tech materials, precision craftsmanship, distinctive designs, and outstanding protective functions. Moreover, it continues to expand into lifestyle product sectors, becoming a brand that combines both technology and fashion elements in its quality eyewear offerings.
True Vintage Revival:
True Vintage Revival (TVR) is an eyewear brand specializing in reviving classic eyewear designs, established in 2009 and headquartered in New York City, USA. The core value of the brand lies in reinterpreting the unique charm and traditional craftsmanship of historical eyewear, with a commitment to recreating iconic vintage eyewear styles through meticulous handcrafted processes.
The production process of TVR adheres strictly to traditional techniques, drawing upon the expertise of a lineage of skilled craftsmen from the Masunaga family in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture, Japan. Since the 1950s, this family has been providing handmade frame services for numerous renowned American eyewear brands, ensuring that each pair of glasses is carefully crafted by hand from cutting and polishing to final assembly, maintaining a limited production output for superior quality control.
TVR’s distinctive feature is its relentless pursuit of detail, incorporating elements such as 45° beveled frames, streamlined temple arms, keyhole bridges, and other timeless design features that evoke nostalgia for past eras. For instance, the TVR 504 model gained significant fame due to its association with cultural icons like James Dean and has become a hallmark of vintage-inspired designs.
Moreover, True Vintage Revival not only emphasizes retro aesthetics but also prioritizes the use of high-quality materials and modern optical technologies, such as polarized lenses, seamlessly blending classic designs with practical functionality. The brand enjoys a strong reputation and high popularity among consumers, receiving glowing reviews and enthusiastic reception in the market.
OLIVER PEOPLES:
Oliver Peoples is a premium eyewear brand originating from the United States, co-founded by designer Oliver Peoples and Larry Leight in 1985. Based in the heart of West Hollywood, the brand has been renowned since its inception for its dedication to high-quality materials, meticulous craftsmanship, and an unwavering attention to detail.
The design aesthetic of OLIVER PEOPLES eyewear is both classic and contemporary, with a broad appeal among global eyewear enthusiasts and celebrities alike. A unique aspect of the brand lies in its handcrafted production process, which involves limited quantities to ensure each pair of glasses possesses exceptional quality and distinct individuality. The product line encompasses optical frames for both men and women, as well as a variety of sunglasses styles, all infused with influences from the distinctive fashion, film, art, and music culture of the Los Angeles area.
Despite fierce competition within the eyewear industry, dominated by several major brands, OLIVER PEOPLES has carved out a unique brand identity through its independent operation and trendsetting designs. Continuously innovating while preserving traditional techniques, the brand stands out as a singular presence in the eyewear market.
MOSCOT is a New York City landmark eyewear brand with over a century of history, celebrated globally for its classic, retro, and fashionable eyewear designs. The brand was founded in 1915 by Hyman Moscot, who opened the first optical shop at 94 Rivington Street in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, naming it after himself. Over time, MOSCOT has evolved into a family-run and independent business with deep historical roots and cultural heritage.
MOSCOT eyewear is cherished by numerous celebrities, including but not limited to Bob Dylan, Tim Burton, and Elvis Costello, due to its unique design philosophy and meticulous attention to detail. The brand fuses the aesthetic sensibilities of downtown New York City with over a century of expertise in eyewear manufacturing, resulting in an array of timeless and captivating frame styles.
While maintaining traditional craftsmanship, MOSCOT also continually adopts advanced technologies and materials to enhance product quality and wearer experience. MOSCOT eyewear not only represents outstanding optical performance but also holds significant sway in the fashion industry, making it one of the highly esteemed professional eyewear brands within the high-end consumer market.
The POLO eyewear brand typically refers to the line of eyewear products under the SANTA BARBARA POLO & RACQUET CLUB. This is a globally recognized clothing brand that originated from the Santa Barbara Polo Club in California, USA, founded in 1910, and takes its inspiration from the iconic sport of polo. The brand has an extensive range of products across apparel and accessories categories.
The POLO eyewear collection is well-known for its high quality and fashionable designs, encompassing both sunglasses and optical glasses. POLO eyewear emphasizes combining advanced optical technologies with fashion-forward design concepts, catering to different consumers’ demands for visual protection and style. For example, their high-definition polarized lenses technology effectively blocks harmful rays, reducing eye strain while maintaining clear vision.
The Polaroid eyewear brand originates from the United States, founded in 1937, and is globally renowned for its innovations and leadership in polarized lens technology. As the inventor of polarized lenses, the Polaroid company began with groundbreaking optical advancements, providing products that effectively block reflected glare and enhance visual clarity, particularly suited for outdoor activities and driving scenarios where strong sunlight is a concern.
Over time, the Polaroid eyewear brand has expanded its product line to include not only professional polarized sunglasses but also a variety of fashionable accessory glasses, such as optical frames. Their designs blend contemporary aesthetics with classic elements, offering a rich variety of colors, innovative styles, and an emphasis on comfort and lens quality.
Polaroid eyewear not only focuses on technological innovation and user experience but is also proactive in collaborating with the fashion industry, launching a series of stylish and functional sunglass collections. For instance, the GUMMY COLLECTION offers a multitude of color choices and seasonal fashion releases, catering to diverse consumer demands for personalization and staying on-trend.
The Arnold Palmer eyewear brand was established by the legendary American golfer Arnold Palmer in 1955, bearing his namesake. The brand has gained prominence both in the sports and fashion realms, particularly excelling in golf apparel and accessories. The Arnold Palmer eyewear collection embodies the brand’s consistent pursuit of quality, style, and innovation, merging classic American design with contemporary optical technology.
Over time, the Arnold Palmer brand expanded into the eyewear sector, introducing a range of sunglasses and prescription glasses. These eyewear products not only prioritize excellent UV protection and visual clarity but also incorporate designs that blend vintage and modern aesthetics, enabling wearers to express their individuality while enjoying the comfort and high-quality experience provided by the eyewear.
In Asian markets, particularly in places like Japan and Hong Kong, the Arnold Palmer eyewear has garnered widespread popularity due to its unique brand appeal and timeless heritage. In these regions, the product line encompasses fashion eyewear as well as prescription sunglasses, among other categories. Starting from its debut in Japan in 2001, where it rapidly became a fashion trendsetter, the brand has also gained favor in the Chinese market through an extensive product lineup and consistently innovative designs.
Dita eyewear brand was established in 1996 by two friends who grew up together in Los Angeles, USA. As a leading brand in the high-end eyewear market, Dita is renowned worldwide for its exceptional quality, unique designs, and exquisite craftsmanship. Since its inception, the brand has consistently employed top-notch Japanese eyewear manufacturing techniques to ensure that each pair of glasses produced is a masterpiece.
Dita’s design aesthetic is heavily influenced by American vintage styles from the 50s to the 80s, seamlessly blending retro charm with contemporary fashion to create products that are both era-specific and luxurious. The eyewear collections often utilize high-quality materials such as injection-molded substances instead of regular plastic, ensuring that the glasses are lightweight yet durable and crafted with an attention to detail comparable to fine art.
In addition, Dita offers a variety of functional lens options, including prescription lenses for near-sightedness, far-sightedness, blue-light blocking lenses, and progressive lenses, catering to different consumer needs in everyday life and professional settings. Whether in office environments or outdoor activities, Dita eyewear provides users with clear vision and effective eye protection.
Due to its premium quality and distinctive allure, Dita eyewear is favored and highly esteemed by global celebrities, musicians, athletes, and other influential individuals, serving as a must-have fashion accessory for them. Over time, Dita has not only solidified its position as a premier artisanal eyewear brand but has also become synonymous with superior quality eyewear.
The Levi’s eyewear brand originates from the renowned American clothing company Levi Strauss & Co., famous for its iconic jeans. In expanding its product offerings, Levi’s has also introduced a line of eyewear that continues the brand’s consistent commitment to high quality and fashionable design.
Levi’s eyewear not only emphasizes practicality by providing options for optical lenses catering to near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and other vision correction needs but also stays abreast with fashion trends by launching a series of stylish sunglasses. The designs of these glasses incorporate the DNA of the brand, embodying values such as “independence,” “freedom,” “adventure,” and “sexiness,” blending classic American vintage elements with modern minimalist aesthetics to satisfy diverse consumer preferences and individual expressions.
Levi’s eyewear pays particular attention to detail and wearability, often featuring lightweight, scratch-resistant characteristics, and offering a variety of styles suitable for both men and women, including special designs catered to larger face shapes or those that visually slim faces. The aim is to provide every wearer with eyewear choices that balance functionality and style seamlessly.