Summer 2023 is in full swing and I’ve got something to confess.
I’ve been inside for so long, I’m wondering if the sun got brighter and I just didn’t notice.
Am I the only one? Ok, you too? Good.
There’s still plenty of summer left, so to celebrate, we put together this list of our five favorite sunglasses brands.
From eco-friendly to designer-level shades, we hope this list has your new favorite pair of sunny stunners.
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5 Best Sunglasses Brands in Summer 2023
Best Overall: MessyWeekend
MessyWeekend Copenhagen got their start a few years ago and they’ve been making excellent sunglasses ever since.
Each purchase goes to remove 2kg of plastic from the oceans. Even better, the frames are versatile and look great on a variety of face-shapes.
Made with cellulose acetate, we put these at the top of our list because they have the quality and feel our other designer shades and they only cost a bit more than the beater sunglasses we keep around for trips to the beach.
What We Like
Free shipping, free 30-day returns, and a 2-year warranty.
MessyWeekend has a carbon-neutral office and removes 2kg of plastic from the ocean with every purchase.
Best quality we’ve seen for the price.
What We Don’t Like
We did an in-depth MessyWeekend review, and couldn’t find any gripe worth mentioning for their sunglasses (but the lens for one of their snowboarding goggles was hard to change).
What Other Reviewers Say
MessyWeekend has earned themselves an “excellent” rating from Trustpilot.
An overwhelming majority of reviews were 5-star, but we always look at the one and two-star reviews to get a better balance.
A few people had issues with shipping (like it took 7-8 days to arrive). In every case, the customer service team was quick to jump in and offer solutions. Not every brand is so on top of their customer service game, so this is a big win in our book.
The Verdict
If you want the luxury feeling of acetate frames, full UV protection, and a risk-free online buying experience, we recommend MessyWeekend.
Our favorite models are the New Depp and the Hobbes.
And we love their commitment to giving back. They’ll remove 2kg of plastic from the Pacific Ocean when you buy one pair of sunglasses. Want two? They’ll remove 4kg.
Balancing the cost, quality, mission, and buying experience, MessyWeekend is our top sunglasses brand.
MessyWeekend offers top-of-the-line sunglasses and snow goggles at a fraction of what you’d find from designer brands. Their commitment to making the world a cleaner place is an example of the power small companies have to create change.
Best Under $30: Prive Revaux
Founded by a posse of superstars including Jamie Foxx, Prive Revaux aims to bring the designer sunglasses look to the masses.
Most frames are just under $30 (though a few creep above that line).
If you’re in the market for an inexpensive set of shades that are stylish and won’t break the bank, Prive Revaux is a solid choice.
What We Like
The Bruce and Maestro are super versatile and look great on most face shapes.
Free shipping if you purchase two pairs.
All lenses are polarized.
What We Don’t Like
Shipping is only available in the US.
What Other Reviewers Say
Prive Revaux’s Facebook page has over 250 reviews and a 4.1-star average. Most folks understood what they were getting with a $30 pair of sunglasses. Others took issue with the glasses not having the most sturdy feeling.
It’s true, Prive Revaux doesn’t quite match the quality of the other brands on this list, but the price is solid for what you’re getting, and the styles are excellent.
The Verdict
If you want a great-looking pair of sunglasses on the cheap, check out Prive Revaux.
Like some reviewers noted, you likely won’t be blown away with the quality. But that’s not the spirit of these sunglasses, and it’s important to know that going in.
Yes, they’re stylish and look fantastic, but they’re not super durable and they don’t have the sturdy feel like you’d get with a pair of acetate frames.
But for a solid pair of sunglasses for under $30, Prive Revaux is our top choice.
Designer style without the designer price tag. Founded by mega-stars like Jamie Foxx, these affordable shades are fashion-forward and easy on the wallet.
Best for the Beach: Blenders Eyewear
Where my party people at? Are you my party people?
Well if you are, get your hands on a pair of Blenders Eyewear.
This San Diego-based brand is a must for music festivals and sun-soaked beach days. We reviewed Blenders Eyewear and felt the inescapable urge to play beach volleyball.
What We Like
Daring styles—just check out their 80s-inspired frames.
Huge variety of frame and lens colors.
All lenses are polarized, which is perfect for the beach.
What We Don’t Like
Some frames fit large.
What Other Reviewers Say
Blenders Eyewear keeps the reviews for each of their frames separate, which makes it easy to find what people think about the specific product you’re looking at.
For example: if you’re on the fence for their North Park frames, it may be comforting to know that over 6,600 people give them a 4.9-star average.
And it’s the same for each frame they offer. No set of frames (that we could see anyway) scored lower than a 4.6-star average, which is pretty incredible considering the thousands and thousands of reviews the brand has.
The Verdict
For the laid-back Southern California vibe, you can’t do better than a pair of Blenders Eyewear.
Their styles look cool and they’re affordable—two of the biggest considerations in our book. While the quality is just below what you’ll find in MessyWeekend and Illesteva, they’re still durable enough for a round of ultimate frisbee at the beach, and they hold up over years of use.
Blenders Eyewear isn’t for everyone. The style of their sunglasses is loud, bold, and fun-loving. But they do offer nice balance between quality and value, so if loud, bold, and fun-loving describes you, well, you’re in luck.
Best Designer Sunglasses: Illesteva
Designed in New York and made in France and Italy, Illesteva sunglasses are our favorite luxury brand sunglasses.
Yes, they cost a pretty-penny, which is why we only have one pair of Illesteva shades and multiple pairs of MessyWeekend and Blenders.
But if you don’t mind investing in a killer pair of sunglasses, check out their modernized classic Euro styles.
What We Like
Made with premium materials like Italian acetate.
Each pair comes in a premium hard-shelled leather case.
Free shipping.
What We Don’t Like
The cost can be prohibitive for many.
What Other Reviewers Say
Over 100 reviewers on the brand’s Facebook page rate their experience an average of 4.7-stars. We consistently saw many people mentioning getting a second pair once they’d experienced the quality.
The Verdict
If you’re in the market for a luxury pair of sunglasses, Illesteva should be your first stop. They’re sunglasses are usually over the $200 mark, but the quality is the best we’ve tried. So if that’s within your budget, we say shop away.
If top-quality designer shades are in order, check out Illesteva. Made with Italian acetate, these may put a dent in your budget, but you'll look stellar.
5. Most Versatile: Vincero
Vincero is primarily a watch brand, but we’ve had a stellar experience with their sunglasses, too. Their styles are simple, handsome, and fairly priced.
How should we describe the style? They’re sunglasses you’d wear to grab a beer with the guys, if you’re the type of gentlemen who wear nice suits to grab a beer. Doesn’t make sense? You’ll just have to see them for yourself.
What We Like
Modern and masculine frames built to suit most male face shapes.
Each pair of sunglasses features a genuine Italian marble inlay.
30-day, no questions asked return policy.
What We Don’t Like
Vincero is primarily a watch company, so while they have a decent number of styles, they don’t have the same breadth as the other brands on this list.
What Other Reviewers Say
Vincero has tens of thousands of reviews on their site averaging a 4.8-star average. That’s a pretty solid track-record if you ask us.
The Verdict
Vincero has a certain attitude, so if you like the look, you’ll be pleased with their follow-through.
They don’t have the same variety as the other brands on our list, but if you’re a dude looking for a simple pair of shades that looks handsome, you could do a lot worse than Vincero.
While Vincero is primarily a watch brand, they do fantastic work in the sunglasses department, too. The vibes are masculine, and with a genuine marble inlay in every pair, you get a constant reminder that the best empires were built stone by stone.
Don’t Let Summer Get Away
So there you have our five favorite sunglasses brands in 2023.
Check out MessyWeekend for their interesting frames and full UV protection, and remember, every purchase goes to clean the Pacific Ocean so you can look great and give at the same time.
MessyWeekend offers top-of-the-line sunglasses and snow goggles at a fraction of what you’d find from designer brands. Their commitment to making the world a cleaner place is an example of the power small companies have to create change.
MessyWeekend is affordable, but if you’re on a very tight budget, check out Prive Revaux or Blenders.
Is your cash-flow solid? If so, it’s hard to beat the premium materials found in Illestevas shades, and if you want a handsome, edgy look, check out Vincero.
Which shades are you going to finish out summer with?
