The 20 Best Sunglasses Brands to Wear Every Season This Year
What will your eyewear say about you?
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
With spring officially sprung and longer, sunnier days upon us, it’s time to get serious about our sunglasses—and, of course, the best brands to shop. Yes, it’s fun and flirty to play around with statement styles and chic frames (and maybe have a girly movie montage in a vintage store dressing room...), but eye protection in the spring and summer is no joke. Unlike a cute handbag or a glittering piece of jewelry, eyewear is an accessory that is also incredibly practical and essential for your health. All those technical terms like UVA/UVB protection you might ignore or take for granted? Those are even more important as the sun gets bright and hotter, and climate change makes its presence ever more known. This season, it’s cool to protect your eyes and the delicate skin around them (eye wrinkles are part of life, but why exaggerate them with sun damage?). And if you don’t take care of your eyes, who will?
Lucky for us, there’s never been a better time to buy sunglasses. Brands and styles are abundant, from ultra-luxurious, niche brands to easily accessible favorites. “People are relying less and less on trend-focused designs and wanting to invest in more enduring, staple pieces,” said sunglasses designer and style expert Elisa Johnson. “We all want something you can pull in and out of your wardrobe rotation for years to come.”
Whether you like a classic style you can buy multiple pairs of (for when you inevitably scratch or lose them) or you like to make a statement (or multiple) in bold frames, there’s a pair out there for you—and we picked the best of them so you don’t have to. Scroll on for the best sunglasses brands that will have you covered this spring, summer, and the many more seasons that follow.
A personal favorite to wear daily, Linda Farrow sunglasses are sturdy and sleek. The London-based brand, founded in the 1970s, creates a variety of styles from bold and edgy to classic and elegant. The brand also collaborates with fashion brands to create even more avant-garde limited edition styles.
Materials: Acetate frame
Vallon is a brand typically known for performance eyewear, but its leisure sunglasses are great, too. For ski and surf enthusiasts who also love amazing eyewear, this is a very IYKYK brand.
Materials: Acetate
100% UV Protection
Lapima offers shapes and styles that are just fun and funky. If you want a little more spirit out of your frames, this is the brand for you.
Materials: 100% Acetate, UV-protective lenses
For fun and flirty vibes this summer, you’ll definitely want to add some color. Indy Sunglasses offers fresh, chic styles at an accessible price point and the brand’s latest collaboration with NÜTRL (that’s right, the vodka seltzers) brings the party to get you through the rest of the summer. Whether you relish in bright colors or prefer a more mysterious vibe, Indy has you covered…at least, your eyes.
PC + UV400 Sun Protection
Poppy Lissiman sunglasses are for the bold. If you’re looking for statement-making frames and colors, this is the brand for you. And it’s price-accessible, too!
Materials: Acetate, UV-protective lenses
Elisa Johnson Jeannie 54mm Oval Sunglasses
For vintage-inspired yet modern frames, Elisa Johnson is the go-to brand. An Instagram favorite, the brand is high-quality and cool but at an accessible price point.
Materials: Acetate frames, nylon lenses
100% UV protection
Maui Jim Makaha Polarized Rimless Sunglasses
Maui Jim makes sunglasses that are classic and sleek, but fun at the same time. You don't always have to go all out to have free-spirited design.
Materials: Nylon frames
100% UV Protection
Jacques Marie Mage Silverton Aviator Sunglasses
A favorite among ELLE editors and stylists, Jacques Marie Mage was founded in 2014 in Los Angeles, CA. Inspirations range from Art Deco to the American West, with a French style sensibility and Japanese craftsmanship. Using the best materials available, sometimes even precious, prices range from $700 to $2000.
Materials: Gold-plated titanium and acetate
100% UVA/UVB protection
Lexxola’s frames are futuristic yet modern, trendy yet timeless. With soft curved frames and vintage-feeling colored shades, its frames are sophisticated with a touch of cheekiness.
Materials: Bio-acetate
100% UVA/UVB protection
A favorite among Instagrammers, Quay’s sunglasses are great for those looking for the trendiest styles with good quality and an accessible price point.
Known for its amazing collabs with brands like Maison Margiela and artists like Jennie, Gentle Monster is a favorite among the street style crowd. It has a variety of cool styles that combine cuteness with edge.
Materials: 100% Acetate, UV-protective lenses
Akoni’s Japanese-crafted frames are made with ultra-high quality and designed with sophistication in mind. For subtle luxury, this brand is the way to go.
Materials: 100% Acetate, UV-protective lenses
Dita Eyewear is well-known for its quality materials and frames. The designs are relatively classic but have incredible detailing that makes the price point worthwhile for those looking to invest in a pair of frames.
Materials: 100% Titanium, UV-protective lenses
Inspired by a travel diary set in Tangier, Port Tanger was created in 2020 to celebrate and enhance the traveling spirit. The modern frames are crafted in Japan and boast avant-garde shapes and styles, a favorite among editorial stylists.
Materials: Acetate
100% UVA/UVB protection
Etnia Barcelona is a fun brand with frames that, from a distance, may look like a classic design aesthetic but, up close, have fun, colorful elements that give them a unique quirkiness.
Materials: 100% Acetate
Another California-based brand, Garrett Leight emphasizes effortless design and easygoing wear. Vintage-inspired shapes make the designs timeless instead of trendy with materials that make the frames ultra-wearable.
Materials: Cured cellulose acetate frame
French sunglasses brand Vuarnet is another that boasts a connection to the slopes. From the slopes to celebrities, Vuarnet is known for classic French designs with an element of athleticism.
Materials: Bio-acetate
You can’t go wrong with a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses. A classic that looks good on everyone, the brand is known for its quality and recognizable designs.
Materials: Composite/Plastic Frame
Founded in Los Angeles by a Parisian-born designer, Ahlem’s design ethos is unisex and timeless. As an Earth-friendly brand, Ahlem uses plant-based acetate and non-toxic titanium to create its frames—plus, its lenses are recyclable.
Materials: 100% Acetate, UV-protective lenses
Covry is known for making eyewear with measurements considered “non-traditional” in the eyewear industry. Frames are designed to sit higher on the face and away from your cheeks, so they’re more comfortable for people with lower nose bridges or high cheekbones.
Materials: Cellulose acetate
100% UV protection
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