Sunglasses, widely bought across the globe, can profoundly alter your facial appearance. But why do sunglasses carry such a high price tag?
In this post, we will explore all the details behind the high price of Ray Bans- from their unique design to the complex manufacturing process. We will also tell you where to buy them cheapest and what kind of UV protection they offer.
So, whether you’re looking for a stylish addition to your eyewear collection or an affordable way to protect your eyes from harmful rays, read on!
Why are Ray Bans so Expensive?
Ray-Ban old money style sunglasses considered expensive due to a combination of factors.
- Quality materials and construction: Ray-Ban uses high-quality materials, such as acetate, metal, and glass, to construct their frames and lenses. Additionally, they use traditional craftsmanship techniques combined with modern technology to manufacture their sunglasses, ensuring that each pair is made to the highest quality and durability standards.
- Brand reputation: The brand is a well-established and iconic brand with a reputation for producing stylish and high-quality sunglasses—the brand’s iconic style and reputation for quality command a premium price.
- Marketing and advertising: Ray-Ban invests heavily in marketing and advertising campaigns to maintain its reputation and appeal to consumers. This helps create a strong brand image and demand for their products, contributing to their higher prices.
- Distribution and retailer’s margin: It’s a luxury brand distributed through authorized retailers such as department stores, luxury shops, and optometrists. These retailers also add a margin on top of the price Ray-Ban charges them.
History of Ray Bans
Ray-ban sunglasses are arguably the most iconic pair of eyewear in the fashion world.
Ray-Ban is an American brand of sunglasses and eyeglasses created in 1936 by Bausch & Lomb. The brand is known for its iconic Wayfarer and Aviator models.
Ray-Ban’s Wayfarer sunglasses were first designed in 1952, and the Aviator model was introduced in 1936. Numerous films, television shows, and celebrities have popularized both models.
Ray-Ban sunglasses were initially designed for U.S. military pilots but quickly became popular among the general public. In 1999, Bausch & Lomb sold the brand to the Italian Luxottica Group.
Today, Ray-Ban continues to be a famous and iconic brand known for its high-quality, stylish sunglasses.
The Design of Ray Bans
Ray-Ban sunglasses are characterized by their iconic style and high-quality construction. The brand’s most popular models, the Wayfarer and Aviator, feature a timeless design that has stood the test of time.
The Wayfarer is characterized by its bold, rectangular frames and distinctive keyhole bridge. The frames are made of various materials, including acetate and metal, and come in various colors and patterns. The Wayfarers are also known for their polarized lenses that reduce glare and provide better clarity and color perception.
The Aviator, on the other hand, has a more classic and timeless design. It features a metal wire frame with teardrop-shaped lenses and a double-bridge. The lenses are often made of glass and polarized, providing 100% UV protection. The Aviator was initially designed for military pilots to protect their eyes from glare and harmful UV rays.
Ray-Ban’s design is generally known for its durability, functionality, and style. The brand continues to release new designs and updates to its classic models while maintaining the iconic style that has made them so popular.
How Ray-Bans are made
Ray-Ban sunglasses are made using a combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. The manufacturing process starts with designing and developing new models and styles. This includes selecting the materials and colors and determining the size and shape of the frames and lenses.
Once the design is finalized, the frames are made using a combination of manual and automated processes. The edges are typically made from various materials, including acetate, metal, and titanium, and are cut and shaped using specialized tools and machines. The frames are then polished and finished to ensure a smooth, high-quality surface.
Next, the lenses are cut and shaped to fit the frames. Ray-Ban lenses are made from various materials, including glass and polycarbonate, and are coated to provide 100% UV protection and polarized options. The lenses are then inserted into the frames and secured in place.
Finally, the sunglasses are inspected and tested to ensure they meet the brand’s high standards for quality and durability. The sunglasses are then packaged and shipped to retailers and customers worldwide.
FAQ
What kind of UV protection do Ray-Ban sunglasses provide?
It’s lenses are specifically treated with a UV protective coating. Many of their models come with polarized lenses that reduce glare and improve clarity and color perception.
What kind of sunglasses does Ray-Ban make
The Wayfarer is characterized by its bold, rectangular frames and distinctive keyhole bridge. The Aviator, on the other hand, has a more classic and timeless design, featuring a metal wire frame with teardrop-shaped lenses and a double-bridge.
They also offer other models such as Clubmaster, Round, Erika, Justin, etc.
Why is Ray-Ban so popular?
Furthermore, Ray-Ban has been popular with more than just celebrities for decades due to its simple styling and influence on popular culture.
Is Ray-Ban high quality?
Many of their models, such as the Wayfarer and Aviator, have become iconic and are widely recognized as symbols of style and quality.
Additionally, Ray-Ban is known for being at the forefront of lens technology, offering polarized and gradient lenses that provide superior glare reduction and visual clarity.
Are Ray-Bans better for your eyes?
They also have an anti-reflection coating, color enhancement, eye fatigue reduction, and scratch-resistant lens technology to protect your eyes.
However, it is important to note that 90-99% UV protection is insufficient to protect the eyes from damage.
What is unique about Ray-Ban?
They use Kalichrome lenses, which filter out blue light to sharpen details and reduce haze, making them ideal for misty conditions.
Ray-Ban sunglasses also absorb 85% of visible light and block most blue light while providing “natural vision” because they don’t alter the colors you see.
The frames are lightweight yet durable and come in various shapes ranging from subtle to statement-making, making them the perfect sunglasses.
Are Ray-Bans low quality?
There is, however, a “kidster” collection with nylon frames and poly lenses that is less expensive than most of their other models. Look for imperfections in lettering or poor-quality hinges that may show traces of glue or melted plastic to identify fake sunglasses.
Is Ray-Ban better than Oakley?
Oakley is excellent for sports and active lifestyles, whereas Ray-Ban is better for fashionistas and style trendsetters. Since the crystal is optically superior to other materials and can be used in any pair of sunglasses, Ray-Ban frequently uses it in their lenses.
Do Ray-Bans scratch easily?
The type of lenses you choose will also affect how easily they scratch.
Do Ray-Bans last?
Ray-Ban provides a 24-month warranty on its products and since they are durable and scratch-resistant, authentic Ray-Bans are a wise investment.
Are Ray Bans worth it?
They are reasonably priced (between $150 and $500), and genuine Ray-Bans are scratch-resistant and long-lasting.
Is Ray-Ban considered luxury?
After Luxottica took over the brand, it was re-tooled and brought back from the brink.
Ray-Bans are expensive due to their high-quality materials and craftsmanship, as well as the fact that luxury brands send in their own designs for inspiration.
*Disclosure: We only recommend products we would use ourselves, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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