Sunglasses are a trendy way to protect your eyes from the sun and even add a little mystery to your look.
For many people, sunglasses are a daily accessory, and the way they look is just as important as the clothing and other items they wear.
When you are shopping for the right sunglasses, there are a lot of things to think about, and one of them is how much you are willing to pay for the perfect pair.
If you think a pair of sunglasses seems expensive, consider the reason the price may be higher and the advantages of choosing higher-priced items.
Are Expensive Sunglasses Worth It? (10 Reasons They Are)
Expensive sunglasses are usually worth the higher price because they have a better design and are more likely to last longer.
There are a lot of things to consider when choosing the best sunglasses for your needs, and the price tag is just one of them.
A high price doesn’t necessarily mean the sunglasses are high in quality.
You need to look at the many details and aspects of the sunglasses to make sure they are worth the asking price.
Expensive sunglasses should meet all your expectations.
They should look nice, fit well and comfortably, and be durable and long-lasting.
Before you splurge on a pair of sunglasses, make sure you consider some of these points that may help you decide if they are worth the price.
1. Better Designs
Some of the best sunglasses designs come from top designers in the industry.
They also happen to be some of the most expensive options.
If you are looking for something that has a unique shape, color, material, or pattern, you may have to pay a little more money for it.
Not all designs are wild and unique, though.
Sometimes the best designs are the classics that have a simple shape or a neutral color.
Some designers even make custom sunglasses in the color or shape that you prefer.
If you need some new sunglasses to match a new outfit or need some kind of creative design that you can wear to a special event, you may be able to have something made just for you.
Keep in mind that having your sunglasses custom-made or buying designs that are rare, unique, or from a well-known designer will be more costly than what you might pay if you walk into a department store and choose a pair of sunglasses from a rack.
Designers spend a lot of time creating their designs, and there may only be a limited number of pieces available from a specific designer or line of designs.
2. Better Quality Materials
When you consider the price of sunglasses, you should also consider the materials that were used to make them.
Some materials are more costly than others because they are better and more expensive to source.
Better quality materials cost the designer or manufacturer more money, and they often charge more for the sunglasses to make up for these costs.
Such materials can be worth the extra price because they are more likely to last longer, look better longer, and have more features.
High-quality materials may be more flexible, resistant to breakage, fade-resistant, more durable, and more comfortable.
The finish of the sunglasses may also be better, and the sunglasses may have a special texture.
Certain parts of the sunglasses that are made to prevent irritation, such as the earpieces or the nose pieces, will likely feel much softer and more comfortable.
If you care about where the materials come from, you should also consider the way the company sources them.
Some companies have specific standards for the places the material comes from and the way they are obtained.
They ensure that anyone working on the materials is paid well and receives fair treatment while working.
They also ensure safe working conditions.
If you are curious about what materials are used for certain sunglasses or how a brand sources its materials, you can spend some time researching the brand to learn more about its business practices to ensure they align with your values.
3. Impact Resistant
Safety is another important thing to consider when deciding how much you will pay for your sunglasses or whether or not expensive sunglasses are worth the extra cost.
The lenses of many types of sunglasses are plastic, acrylic, or actual glass.
This can be dangerous because the sunglasses are broken while being worn because the material may shatter and go into the wearer’s eyes.
Sunglasses that are more expensive are more likely to be impact resistant, so they won’t break or crack if there is a problem.
Sometimes you are going to be wearing your sunglasses for certain activities.
Maybe you will be playing sports, interacting with children or animals, or even doing things around the house that pose a risk of the sunglasses being bumped or knocked against your face.
For these occasions, you will want to choose sunglasses that are impact resistant so they won’t break and cause an injury.
Injury isn’t the only reason you will want your sunglasses or lenses to be impact resistant.
If you are someone who drops their sunglasses a lot, wears them on their head, keeps them in a purse or pocket, or tosses them on the seat of the car, you might realize you are rough on your sunglasses.
Choosing sunglasses that are impact resistant will allow you to be a little rougher with your sunglasses without having to worry about cracking or breaking them.
This can help ensure your sunglasses last longer and look nicer longer.
4. Durability
If you have ever bought cheap sunglasses that have broken just a few hours later, you know that sometimes the cheapest option isn’t necessarily the best value for your money.
If your sunglasses are not durable, they may fall apart and won’t be strong enough to withstand normal wear and tear.
More expensive sunglasses are usually made with better materials and have a more sturdy design.
They won’t be as likely to break if you drop them, are a little rough on them, or happen to drop them in a bag with other items that may push against them.
While it might seem like buying the cheapest sunglasses will save you money, if you have to buy multiple pairs because they don’t last very long, you could be spending more money than if you would just buy one pair of sunglasses that are more expensive and more durable.
The durability can also determine how or where you can wear the sunglasses.
If your sunglasses are flimsy and delicate, you may not be able to wear them anywhere.
They could be knocked off your face or out of your hands.
If you have stronger, more durable sunglasses, you may be able to wear them to work, if you are outside working in the yard, while participating in sports, and even having fun and enjoying a day outside.
Having a pair of durable sunglasses that can be used for multiple activities will also save you money as opposed to buying different types of sunglasses for each activity.
5. Included Accessories
Sunglasses are great, but sometimes you want a little something extra with them.
When you buy the cheapest sunglasses on the market, you are not likely to get as many extras.
If you want extra accessories, you are going to have to be willing to pay a little more for the sunglasses.
There are many types of accessories that you may want or receive with your sunglasses.
Some expensive sunglasses or designer sunglasses may come with special cases that will allow you to store your sunglasses safely when you are traveling or are not wearing them.
They may also come with necklaces or chains that connect to the earpieces of the sunglasses and can be used to hang them around your neck if you need to take them off but don’t want to put them away or carry them in your hand.
Other accessories that may come with more expensive sunglasses include wipes that will allow you to clean your sunglasses more easily.
You can also get repair kits, extra lenses, earpiece or nosepiece cushions to make them more comfortable.
They may even come with keychains, jewelry, and bags that make it easier to store or organize the sunglasses when you aren’t wearing them.
Some sunglasses even come in boxed sets where you will receive the sunglasses, extra frames or lenses, and special accessories that match the sunglasses so you can wear the accessories at the same time and know that everything looks great together.
6. UV Protection
Sunglasses should protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun.
The lenses of the sunglasses shield the eyes from the sun, so they are not damaged or burned when you are outside.
They also help tone down the sunlight, so it’s not shining in your eyes, and you are able to see while the sun is too bright.
While you may think all sunglasses will protect your eyes from the sun, they are not all created equally.
Some sunglasses that are less costly and made with lesser quality materials may not be capable of protecting your eyes the way you need.
Some have stronger lenses that are capable of blocking out UV rays, and others will only block out certain types of UV rays and leave your eyes at risk for damage or even injury.
Glasses that have better or thicker lenses are much more likely to provide full protection from the sun.
Sunglasses that are more expensive are also designed to protect the eyes from all angles.
Some sunglasses that have poor designs may have gaps around the sides of the face or even above the eyes that allow the rays of the sun to enter the eyes.
Wearing sunglasses that properly protect your eyes from UV rays can help reduce eye disorders, blindness, eye cancer, and painful eye burns.
If your eyes are extremely sensitive to the sun, you may require sunglasses that are stronger than those available in many department stores.
If you do need stronger UV protection, this can make the sunglasses more expensive as well.
7. Eye Protection
Some sunglasses aren’t only made to protect your eyes from the sun but from other hazards as well.
If you work in a field where you have to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from workplace hazards, you may also want to have sunglasses to reduce the glare and protect your eyes from the sun.
Since you can’t wear two pairs of glasses at the same time, you need sunglasses that can serve both purposes.
Most sunglasses that are cheap are not capable of protecting the eyes from the sun and other hazards.
You will likely have to pay more if you want glasses that can do both.
Some sunglasses are made to work just like safety glasses but can also keep the sun from your eyes.
Others are made to be large enough that they can slip over your current glasses or safety glasses so your eyes can still be protected from all the hazards at work as well as from the sun so you can see more easily and won’t have to worry about the sun causing future eye problems.
8. Longer Lasting
When you find a pair of sunglasses that you like and enjoy wearing, you want to keep them as long as possible.
If you choose a classic design and color, they may never go out of style and will provide you with stylish UV protection for many years.
Sunglasses that are more expensive are more likely to last you longer.
They should have a better design, provide better protection, have a classic design, and be durable.
They won’t break easily and will maintain their design and style for many years.
Choosing a pair of sunglasses just because they are cheap or less expensive could result in them not lasting as long as you prefer.
You might have to buy more than one pair, or you may go back to buy another pair like the ones you like so much, only to find out that they aren’t available.
As with any product, when you get more time out of the sunglasses or are able to wear them for several years, it means you won’t have to spend money on other pairs and will be able to save money over time.
Expensive sunglasses are also less likely to require repairs and maintenance, and they’ll be easier to clean, which means less work for you.
9. More Details
The small details in the design of a pair of sunglasses can make a big deal and change the look of your sunglasses.
There are hundreds of different sunglass designs to consider when choosing the ones you want.
Typically, the more expensive sunglasses are the ones that have more details.
These details may be obvious such as colored lenses, hardware accents, and even special earpieces or nose pieces that change the way the sunglasses fit on the wearer’s face.
More expensive sunglasses have more or better details because the designers spend more time on them, have them assembled by hand, and source different materials that stand out and appear to be special or unique.
Since the designer spends more time on them, they may also want to sell them for a higher price.
Since cheaper sunglasses are mass-produced and often made by machines in factories, the designs need to be simple.
If you want something that stands out and has unique details that will allow you to show off your personal style, you may find that these sunglasses are more expensive.
You may even be able to request specific details if you order custom sunglasses from a design or company that accommodates requests.
10. Prescription Options
If you wear prescription glasses, you may wish for the option to wear sunglasses as well.
Instead of buying cheap, clip-on sunglasses that are meant to attach to your prescription glasses, you may be able to order prescription sunglasses.
The clip-on options rarely ever fit or even match the shape of your real glasses, and they can be flimsy and easy to lose or forget.
Having sunglasses that are also prescription glasses means you never have to worry about switching your prescription glasses for sunglasses or trying to find the right sunglasses.
You will need to talk with your eye doctor to make sure your prescription glasses can be turned into sunglasses.
You will then need to decide if you want to order a pair of regular prescriptions or will make the sunglasses your primary pair of glasses.
There is also the option for transition lenses.
These are prescription sunglasses that act and look like regular lenses when you are inside but darken and adjust to protect the eyes from the sun when you step outside.
These glasses allow you to have the best of both worlds.
The regular lenses will help you see without being too dark indoors, but when they darken, you will be able to see better outdoors in the sun and won’t have to worry about the sun damaging your eyes.
Certain prescriptions may not be available in sunglasses or transition lenses, so it is important to discuss your options with your eye doctor to find out if you are able to order these types of sunglasses or need to consider other options for UV protection with your prescription sunglasses.
