The smartest, most timeless sunglasses?

[MonsieurTK]

The MOSCOT Lemtosh frame shape is pretty classic and does well for many face shapes. Bonus point is that they have multiple sizes so larger faces aren't left out.

I have these in the Light Grey colour with their blue gradient tint (Denim Blue). Looks pretty good, though slightly flashy.

 

[raf]

I wore eyeglasses from 4th grade onwards until 72 yrs old when Medicaid paid for (both) eye lens replacement surgery (except for about $500 out of pocket). Best thing I ever did for my eyes.

I had left over some excellent Randolph Engineering eyeglass frames and lenses; still made today. Mine are about 30 years old. Replaced existing lenses with new lenses which had lower part of lens configured in "Reading Glass" prescription, but mid-and upper part of the lens free from correction.

Re-used existing excellent and existing RE eyeglass frames to construct Sunglasses with "Reading" lenses built in. To reduce blue tint (Haze), Always Brown Aviator lenses. Ask a trusted pilot.

Eyeglass frames are like lots of stuff. Quality costs initially but pays of in the long term.

I can wear common Ray-Ban "Teardrop" sunglasses so long as not trying to read print up close. Car dashboard OK, but OK without corrective lenses.

Issue here is that "Corrective" lenses for these RB teardrop frames/lenses are a bit heavier than similar lenses on aforementioned RE frames/lenses. Not to mention that RB lenses are considerably more expensive than similar lenses for RE "Large Aviator" frames.

 

[MonsieurTK]

I wore eyeglasses from 4th grade onwards until 72 yrs old when Medicaid paid for (both) eye lens replacement surgery (except for about $500 out of pocket). Best thing I ever did for my eyes.

I had left over some excellent Randolph Engineering eyeglass frames and lenses; still made today. Mine are about 30 years old. Replaced existing lenses with new lenses which had lower part of lens configured in "Reading Glass" prescription, but mid-and upper part of the lens free from correction.

Re-used existing excellent and existing RE eyeglass frames to construct Sunglasses with "Reading" lenses built in. To reduce blue tint (Haze), Always Brown Aviator lenses. Ask a trusted pilot.

Eyeglass frames are like lots of stuff. Quality costs initially but pays of in the long term.

I can wear common Ray-Ban "Teardrop" sunglasses so long as not trying to read print up close. Car dashboard OK, but OK without corrective lenses.

Issue here is that "Corrective" lenses for these RB teardrop frames/lenses are a bit heavier than similar lenses on aforementioned RE frames/lenses. Not to mention that RB lenses are considerably more expensive than similar lenses for RE "Large Aviator" frames.

Usually the weight is attributed to the larger sizes of these aviator frames.

On a separate note, if you use progressives (multifocals), try not to choose a teardrop aviator frame because some of the reading section can be cut off at the bottom of the frame.

 

[Edward]

The MOSCOT Lemtosh frame shape is pretty classic and does well for many face shapes. Bonus point is that they have multiple sizes so larger faces aren't left out.

I have these in the Light Grey colour with their blue gradient tint (Denim Blue). Looks pretty good, though slightly flashy.

Never had a pair of Lemtosh brand frames (they get silly expensive over here), but I've had a very similar design from other makers and I like them a lot. Currently have a pair in torty as sunglasses. Violet lenses, my favourites - they somehow aren't too dark for interior wear (I often forget I'm wearing them indoors), but fully effective in the sun. They were a gamble as I wasn't sure how it would feel wearing that colour of lens, but they are a joy. Makes the world look like you're living in a Wes Anderson picture. They're Earth brand (model name is Ezra). They feel larger than a lot of my other glasses, but they aren't really. Lenses the same size as my Shuron Ronsir Zyls, but obviously a thicker frame. Also have another pair of frames in this style waiting for distanced lenses when I next have my prescription updated - smaller size these ones, which I like with a clear lens.

The Lemtoshs I really like the look of, and might look into if I'm back in the states in a few years' time, were the black and clear ones that had a sort of imitation browline style to them.

I wore eyeglasses from 4th grade onwards until 72 yrs old when Medicaid paid for (both) eye lens replacement surgery (except for about $500 out of pocket). Best thing I ever did for my eyes.

I have a friend who had that done a few years ago, he says much the same. Whatever they did with his, he doesn't even need reading glasses. Pricey - it's still about ten grand here - though more effective than laser-treatment in that the synthetic lenses they put in his eye won't alter over time, so no need for any tweaking, or reading glasses.

I recently picked up some contacts again after not having had any for maybe a dozen years or so, needed them for a show. With the first trial lot, to my distance prescription, I had to use a pair ofc cheap reading glasses. Felt really weird. Last time I wore contacts I didn't need reading glasses, so this was a new experience. Unlike when I'm in my normal distanced glasses and can just peer over the top of them and hold text up close, anything on a written page was a total blur without the reading glasses. I guess that's an experience a lot of people who've never worn glasses until they need readers go through. The stranger experience however has been the prescription we settled on in the trial which is distance for my right eye, and a reading prescription in my left. It doesn't apparently work for everyone, but my brain rolls with it and it lets me see distance and read both. It's the weirdest thing... I've worn glasses for distanced since I was ten, and over forty years on I no longer remember what it was like to be able to do entirely without them. That's what these contacts feel like. Day to day I still prefer to wear glasses - the contacts are only for costume and event wear when the glasses are inappropriate or impractical. It's given me enough insight into what it must be like to be able to see normally ,though, that if the price drops sufficiently on what my friend got I'd go for it.

 

[Edward]

Very fond of these ones from Cathcart London (Formerly SJC / Simon James Cathcart). Picked them up a few years ago in a sale, with the intention of having them relensed to my prescription. Decided recently to keep them standard for now, as it's handy to have a pair available for when I'm wearing contacts. Very comfy to wear all day.

 

[MonsieurTK]

Never had a pair of Lemtosh brand frames (they get silly expensive over here), but I've had a very similar design from other makers and I like them a lot. Currently have a pair in torty as sunglasses. Violet lenses, my favourites - they somehow aren't too dark for interior wear (I often forget I'm wearing them indoors), but fully effective in the sun. They were a gamble as I wasn't sure how it would feel wearing that colour of lens, but they are a joy. Makes the world look like you're living in a Wes Anderson picture. They're Earth brand (model name is Ezra). They feel larger than a lot of my other glasses, but they aren't really. Lenses the same size as my Shuron Ronsir Zyls, but obviously a thicker frame. Also have another pair of frames in this style waiting for distanced lenses when I next have my prescription updated - smaller size these ones, which I like with a clear lens.

The Lemtoshs I really like the look of, and might look into if I'm back in the states in a few years' time, were the black and clear ones that had a sort of imitation browline style to them.


I have a friend who had that done a few years ago, he says much the same. Whatever they did with his, he doesn't even need reading glasses. Pricey - it's still about ten grand here - though more effective than laser-treatment in that the synthetic lenses they put in his eye won't alter over time, so no need for any tweaking, or reading glasses.

I recently picked up some contacts again after not having had any for maybe a dozen years or so, needed them for a show. With the first trial lot, to my distance prescription, I had to use a pair ofc cheap reading glasses. Felt really weird. Last time I wore contacts I didn't need reading glasses, so this was a new experience. Unlike when I'm in my normal distanced glasses and can just peer over the top of them and hold text up close, anything on a written page was a total blur without the reading glasses. I guess that's an experience a lot of people who've never worn glasses until they need readers go through. The stranger experience however has been the prescription we settled on in the trial which is distance for my right eye, and a reading prescription in my left. It doesn't apparently work for everyone, but my brain rolls with it and it lets me see distance and read both. It's the weirdest thing... I've worn glasses for distanced since I was ten, and over forty years on I no longer remember what it was like to be able to do entirely without them. That's what these contacts feel like. Day to day I still prefer to wear glasses - the contacts are only for costume and event wear when the glasses are inappropriate or impractical. It's given me enough insight into what it must be like to be able to see normally ,though, that if the price drops sufficiently on what my friend got I'd go for it.

What country are you based in? MOSCOT ships globally and there are also shops in many different countries for try-ons. Trying them on in-person is highly recommended due to the multiple sizes.

 

[Edward]

What country are you based in? MOSCOT ships globally and there are also shops in many different countries for try-ons. Trying them on in-person is highly recommended due to the multiple sizes.

I'm in the UK. I did look into it a few years ago, but unfortunately the Moscot pricing structure was.... not realistic for me.

 

[MonsieurTK]

I'm in the UK. I did look into it a few years ago, but unfortunately the Moscot pricing structure was.... not realistic for me.

Ah, understood. Well, if you're ever passing a shop, it's always fun to enter. Try things on and snap photos of fit for future reference.

 

[Pandemic]

When September rolls around, my insurance will buy me another pair of prescription sunglasses. This year I was thinking of a classic pair of black wayfarer style sunglasses - or more accurately something in thick black acetate with a narrow width and square shape without branding on them. JMM are too pricey and rare. My optometrist carries Tom Ford, Oliver Peoples and Moscot so I guess I’ll start there.

 

[MonsieurTK]

When September rolls around, my insurance will buy me another pair of prescription sunglasses. This year I was thinking of a classic pair of black wayfarer style sunglasses - or more accurately something in thick black acetate with a narrow width and square shape without branding on them. JMM are too pricey and rare. My optometrist carries Tom Ford, Oliver Peoples and Moscot so I guess I’ll start there.

I'd argue that Tom Ford glasses have one of the most recognizable branding motif on their glasses. Instantly identifiable.

 

[Pandemic]

I'd argue that Tom Ford glasses have one of the most recognizable branding motif on their glasses. Instantly identifiable.

True, but the T hinge feels different to slapping a brand name across the arm or lens.

Virtual try-on is such a **** - they resize the frames to fit your face. I’m not really interested in modern Ray Bans, but thought I’d try their ‘vintage original wayfarers’ for fun. They look good. Far better than irl though!

 

[Pandemic]

AO Original Pilots with a blue flash lens:

 

[MonsieurTK]

True, but the T hinge feels different to slapping a brand name across the arm or lens.

Virtual try-on is such a **** - they resize the frames to fit your face. I’m not really interested in modern Ray Bans, but thought I’d try their ‘vintage original wayfarers’ for fun. They look good. Far better than irl though!

View attachment 787290

If you can find vintage Ray-Bans from when they were owned by Bausch & Lomb (marked by "B&L"), that would be solid. Otherwise, modern-day Ray-Bans aren't all that great due to their build quality.

They do have some Japanese-made models which would be better than their mass-produced Italian stuff.

 

[GHT]

The frame style that John Lennon was credited for their fame. Latterly with a clear lense, are they Harry Potter, or what?

 

[marmota]

Found a very reasonable second-hand pair of the Oliver Peoples Peck sunglasses and they are perfect.

 

[Pandemic]

If you can find vintage Ray-Bans from when they were owned by Bausch & Lomb (marked by "B&L"), that would be solid. Otherwise, modern-day Ray-Bans aren't all that great due to their build quality.

They do have some Japanese-made models which would be better than their mass-produced Italian stuff.

The branding on the arm still bugs me with the B&Ls. I’ll check out the MIJ glasss though - would probably also work with my narrow face.

I like Oliver Peoples Sun model, but hard to justify $600 for a basic frame. Especially now that the evil Luxotica empire are involved.

 

[Pandemic]

Really digging these, but I’ve been burnt so many times in the past that I’m very reluctant to order anything without an IRL try-on first:

https://chimi-online.com/us/p/08-black-25