Do you guys buy and wear cheap sunglasses? - YouLookFab Forum

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Do you guys buy and wear cheap sunglasses?

Irene

Veteran

Like the ones you can find at stores like H&M, ZARA or FOREVER 21, for instance.

I have been told that they are not good for our eyes (aka they might get hurt) because the glass/plastic is far from good quality, and that people should stick to those sold at places where they sell prescription glasses too.

I do not wear sunglasses because I wear prescription glasses and can't be bothered with getting a pair of prescription sunglasses -besides, they would be very expensive since my eyes are 'high maintenance' lol-, but sometimes I just wonder...

I mean, some of those glasses at the stores are pretty darn cute and inexpensive, so I kind of wish they were good enough.

I did get a pair of heart shaped polka dotted red glasses -yeah, ALGO- at Primark for photoshoot purposes, but I would never leave the house with those on anyways, so it doesn't count!

General

35 replies

Latest reply was from Jenava

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I say you should use common sense; there is a reason why Oakleys are the price they are, and the ones at Forever21 are the price that they are.

I wear prescription glasses too; and have a pair of prescription Oakleys for when I'm on the bike (added bonus: shatterproof lenses); and I have a pair of prescription sunglasses for when I drive.

I would go with the better UV protection - you only have one set of eyes, after all

Irene

Veteran

The doctor spoke! Ok, so I guess my parents are right and I will have to either become rich or just forget about fashionable/a variety of sunglasses! My eyes might not be perfect but I'm certainly not getting any new better ones in the near future!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Haha; I'm not an eye doc. :p

I am currently saving up for a pair of Prada's ... I think I will be saving for quite awhile. My sister is a nurse and she wears Forever21 shades. LOL.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

I always have a pair of cheaper glasses for the busy beaches where I don't want to worry about the loss if someone accidentally steps on my beach bag or I simply loose them.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I used to buy only expensive sunglasses. But I seem to lose them all. And then I hate the $100 plus (that is a minimum price) I have just wasted. Currently I have one high quality Ralph Lauren pair. Plus I have numerous other inexpensive pairs in different places, convenient for grabbing. My latest pair are from H&M and they have good coverage. I don't wear them very long at one time, sometimes just few a minutes and they're off. I did not know that cheap sunglasses could actually damage your eyes. I say cheap protection is better than no protection at all. The need for quality eye glasses changes if you work outside or are hiking in high altitude, such as my brother. When he is on expeditions in the Himalayas, hiking then rock climbing between 17,000 - 29,000 ft (summit of Everest), then yes, quality lenses are essential to avoid retina damage.

krishnidoux

Veteran

I used to wear all kinds of cheap sunglasses despite the fact that I need glasses. Then one day I decided to get prescription sunglasses. OMG the difference! I could never look back, literally. The particular ones I got are Maui Jims but I don't think the brand matters. It's the fact that you can both shield your eyes AND see. Plus the prescription ones are a bit better made and more comfortable.

I used to loose my sunglasses too, but the prescriptions ones, I don't. It's because they are a bit like my regular glasses. I always know where they are, because they are so vital.

I also got a pair of expensive RL non prescription glasses for when I want to wear contacts, and I am very happy with it (although that one, I almost lost once).

Scarlet

Veteran

Until I got a nice pair a couple of years ago, I wore inexpensive ones as long as they had a UV protective coating. I would never wear sunglasses without a UV protective lense. Your eyes are precious. Maybe it's okay if you wear contacts that are UV protective? I would ask an eye doctor to be sure. I don't think it's necessary to pay a lot of money unless you are a serious outdoorswomen.

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

I buy cheap sunglasses (up to $20) since I usually break them but surprisingly never lose them. As long as they have UV protection, then I buy cheap.

Debbie

Veteran

I have several pairs good ones and cheap ones. The good stay in my purse supposedly and the others are in my desk, car. I need them with my contacts and seem to never be abler locate a pair.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I confess to wearing $8 ones from Big Lots the last year. And honestly, before that, it was any random pair left behind for over a week by tourists at my pub job. For years I never wore any at all, so it's a step up.

Patty

Veteran

This is the first year since I first got prescription glasses at 27 that I bought a pair of cheapy "Dickies" brand aviator style sun glasses. I miss aviator glasses for their coverage and style. I only wear them for sitting around coz I need real glasses to see distance to drive and now some magnification to read. My now bifocals have transition but are the modern smaller lenses and that drives me crazy. And with the cheapies I am not afraid of drops and scratches. B+)

JulieJohn

Veteran

My two cents - I never wear sunglasses anymore. I think my eyes are less sun-sensitive as a result.

I just got fed up after breaking too many pairs, and was also taking a hiatus from accessory overload and "purse runneth over" syndrome. After a few weeks of being shade-less, I noticed I didn't miss them at all, and I've never looked back (she says as she tosses her hair over her shoulder and strides away confidently).

krishnidoux

Veteran

Well Julie, good for you. I find that with age I need to protect my eyes more, not only from the sun but also and just as much importantly from the wind.

Years of not wearing sunglasses when I should have helped dig two nasty vertical lines between my brows, too. Now I always carry them with me. (She says, readjusting her shades on her noesm smiling mysteriously like the woman here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX6m9lZ_f6c).

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

krishni, just today my husband and I were talking about his Maui Jim sunglasses celebrating their 11th birthday in a few days They are absolutely superb, high quality and best of all - they are polarizing, making them perfect for driving in any conditions - you can literally look directly at the sun with them on. I tend to borrow them from him when I drive in bad conditions (too much light, glare, low sun) and they really make me feel much safer when I drive with them on. I was thinking of investing in one par for myself, just for driving, but any women's styles that I liked had wide temples and therefore were not good for quick checking of the blind spot.

JulieJohn

Veteran

Your wisdom is appreciated, krishni. I dig that video and your humor.

Keix

Veteran

How much do y'all pay for "expensive" prescription sunglasses? I'm always wincing at the bill for my regular glasses, which ran I think $400 last time (half for high-index lenses, which are a necessity with a -7.5 prescription).

Echo

Veteran

Either cheap or expensive sunnies can be fine, as long as they have the little sticker indicating that they block 90-some percent of UV rays. To have those stickers they must meet federal standards, although stickers with vague terms like "most UV rays" don't mean much. Sunglasses without the UV dip can do more damage than no sunglasses at all because they cause your eyes to dialate, allowing more UV rays in that damage your eyes.

I tend to buy one nice pair of sunglasses and wear them for several years. Since I wear them allmost daily and I don't wear any prescription lenses at all, I figure they're worth the price. DH wears glasses and has prescription sunnies.

Julie

Veteran

According to ZZ Top you should all go out and "get yourself some cheap sunglasses".

Lisa

Veteran

I had eye surgery about 5 years ago and the surgeon told me to wear Maui Jims because they had the best polarized lens at the time. I don't know if this is still true now but I still am loyal to that brand and wear them.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Never. My prescription costs too much to put it into cheap frames!

ManidipaM

Veteran

I only use 'cheap' sunglasses from brands I actually trust and yes, I always, always check the protection label. I do seem to keep losing or damaging them though So it's partly a choice made out of necessity. My only 'expensive' pair are not that expensive in the overall hierarchy --- not designer brand, just Ray-bans.

Chippy Mia

I have both cheap and expensive sunglasses as long as they are UV protectred. The cheap ones are mostly when I'm at the pool/beach or just doing yardwork around the house. I didn't used to wear sunglasses until someone told me that sunglasses can help minimizes wrinkles.

Jyoti

(website)

Veteran

Cheap ones, but it's mostly because I rarely wear sunglasses - only when I'm in LA (which is like 0-2 times a year).

Parsley

Veteran

I have both cheap ones and nicer ones. I really prefer polarized sunglasses, but I wear my cheap ones to the pool where I've been known to forget them on the deck, and also keep a couple of cheap ones in my car for emergencies.

It's nice to try out a trendier style with cheap sunglasses without having to make an investment, but for my classic ones I'm willing to spend a little more.

Certainly cheap sunglasses give you much more protection than not wearing sunglasses at all!

Aziraphale

Veteran

One time I asked the opthalmologist about this, and he said that as long as the little UVA/UVB full spectrum protection sticker is on the glasses when you buy them, they're perfectly fine.

Still, I don't wear cheap glasses. I never lose mine, which is weird, because I'm terribly absentminded about nearly everything else. I think it's because they're on my face all the time! My last pair lasted ten years and the only reason I replaced them was that they were so dreadfully outdated that I was embarrassed to be seen wearing them -- and I've got the lightest gray eyes you've ever seen, so I really need to wear them! Not a lot of natural UV protection from my irises.

akon12

(website)

I have no confidence in cheap sunglasses, since I don't know what kind of quality the lenses are of. Hence, even if there's a sticker claiming UV protection, I'd rather be cautious. We're talking about our eyes, after all.

Patty

Veteran

That's an oldy but goody Krish!! And funny too -- I went out specifically looking for Foster Grants at Zellers last week (store closing to make way for new Target so huge reduction in all depts including displays!!) But ended up with Dickies with green UVA?B polarized lenses.
And I always check the kids' cheap glasses for clarity. I swear some of the lenses are only protective because the lenses are so cloudy/murky instead of UVA/B made--can't be good for their eyes either!

rachylou

Veteran

Tcha!

My fancy designer sunglasses fell apart quickly. I buy from Target. I just check for UV a/b protection and be done with it. I used to have prescription sunglasses, but I wear contacts now. My regular frames were *hecka* expensive ($400); but I feel they're still looking good 15 years in (maybe I'm delusional ;>). I have the lenses replaced at Walmart when I get a new prescription.

teeandcee

I'd buy cheap ones if I didn't require prescription glasses. I figure it's far more statistically dangerous to drive my car than wear cheap sunglasses, and I don't hesitate to hop in my car on a daily basis. Our society has become so fear-based you gotta choose your battles and cheap sunglasses are at the bottom of my list of things to worry about. If I wore them, that is.

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