Revo 3087

Philosophy/Function
These Revo's are designed in that ever popular Aviator style frame. I think that these are mainly intended as style shades, but at the same time their superior quality makes them great for everyday use in all situations.

Style
The styling on these is very nice with a lot of attention to detail. First off, this is quite a large frame, so beware of that if you have a small face. It has a nice matte black finish around the metal frame and nice rubber ear pieces. The nose pads are very big and made out of silicone, so they are very comfortable. That is a good thing because this frame is very heavy, so I'm happy they took the time to do that. There is a tiny red line above the "e" in Revo on both sides, which is a very nice touch. Most attractive though is the blue lenses. These are probably one of the nicest shades of color I've ever seen on lenses. It's hard to even describe, but they are kind of a light blue that is semi-clear and very reflective. That's confusing. You will just have to see for yourself, but only Revo has this kind of special coloration.

Quality/Durability
The quality on these, like most Revo's, is phenomenal. The metal is super durable and heavy, even though its really thin, I don't see it breaking. The lenses have a very good quality polarization and the blue makes them really good for reflecting water for those who frequent the beach. Everything about these screams quality from when you pick them up to when you put them on your face. These are going to last a long time for anyone who takes care of them.

Price/Value
You're going to find these for around 210 dollars and they are worth every penny. As mentioned, the quality is outstanding and the blue lenses just look awesome. These stand out a lot from any other glasses I've handled and they really have a unique look to them. I would recommend these to anyone who is looking for some good quality glasses and doesn't mind spending some money. These are definitely one of my favorite pairs to date.

Prada SPR 080

Prada makes sunglasses? They are known as a very high end fashion brand, making clothes and purses, but they do make sunglasses. I wanted to see for myself, if these are another high end brand with an inflated price tag on cheap glasses, or do they actually have something to offer.

Philosophy/Function
These are a high end brand stylish pair of glasses, meant for women. I think the main goal with this one was to create a unique shape thats very appealing and can be worn in many dressy occasions. with that being said, they are sunglasses of course, but not the best for serious sun shades, since they don't come with polarized lenses.

Style
I think the style on these is great. It's a beautiful looking pair of glasses that looks very elegant. It's also a good size, which I think can fit well on most women. It's a very nicely polished tortoise frame with brown, gradient tinted, lenses. I think the little gold bar that connects the temple to the frame is a really nice touch. I also like how it says Prada on the gold bar in a subtle way and isn't too gaudy. Overall, i think they did a nice job with the design of this and it will appeal to many.

Quality/Durability
I was presently surprised about the quality on these glasses. They actually are made pretty well. It's great to see a fashion company take some pride in their work with something that isn't their main focus. The plastic is very good quality and not cheap. It's all held together very well with screws, rather than a lot of glue and the engraving is great too. I actually think these can last for a pretty long time. The only knock on these is the plastic, non-polarized lenses.

Price/Value
These can be found for around 200, with some good shopping. That's actually not a bad price, if your are into fashion and like the Prada brand. The quality is good of the frame, but if need serious eye protection, then I would look elsewhere. If you are looking for something that's a good brand, good quality, and a truly nice looking design, I think you would be happy with these for the price.

Bvlgari 5001

Bvulgari is an extremely high end brand, not really known for sunglasses, but more for fashion. Nonetheless, they do make sunglasses and other accessories, like watches and wallets, so they caught my interest.

Philosophy
These are made for style and style alone. Along with style though comes status. These sunglasses really say something about you. People that want to show their status to the public will most likely buy glasses like these, considering the pretty universal shape and look.

Style
The styling is pretty good, what can I say. The problem is that it isn't anything too unique, or special. The lenses do have a nice, unique gradient tint to them. It is kind of in between grey and brown, almost a purple. They are really lightweight. Also, they are pretty large and meant to stand out to be kind of flaunted. These definitely take a confident person to wear them and not one particularly caring  too much about sun protection because there isn't much.

Quality/Durability
The quality on these is sub-par. They aren't made particularly well and feel kind of cheap. Honestly, without the brand stamped on there, I might think they are just some flea market sunglasses. The lenses are just tinted plastic, so there won't be a lot of glare protection for you. They also kind of rattle if you shake them, which is kind of annoying. I don't think these will last too long if worn a lot.

Price/Value
These are going to be around 300 dollars, which is a bit mind blowing. You really are paying for nothing but the brand on this one. I guess if you are really into Bvulgari, then you can justify buying these. For anyone else though, it definitely isn't worth putting your money toward these sunglasses. They just aren't made well enough to warrant that kind of a price tag and are simply just making a 300 dollar statement when you put them on. That statement being, "Look at my Bvulgaris, they cost 300 dollars."

Revo 3076

Revo is a very good quality sunglass brand that uses very good materials. This particular model is unfortunately discontinued, which makes it harder to find. Some sites still have it though and there's always secondary markets, such as ebay. I happen to enjoy them a lot and want to get the word out there until they are all gone.

Philosophy/Function
These are designed for style and for good eye protection. This is more of a manly style, but can appeal to both genders. This is a very smooth looking, classy pair of sunglasses. These aren't ones I'd particularly use for the beach, but maybe for a work outing, or just when your wearing something a little more than casual.

Style
I really love the styling on these sunglasses. They are very sexy looking with the polished black temples that go into a shiny, stainless steal, frame. The lenses have a dark green tint to them with a semi-mirrored finish that is very reflective. The nose pads are large and comfortable and the glasses themselves are a bit heavy, but have a very solid feel to them. These glasses give a very serious, no frills, kind of look. Basically, they're very badass.

Quality/Durability
The quality is superb on these Revo's in every aspect. I have had these for a long time and they haven't showed any signs of wear. The metal is very thick and not easily damageable. The plastic is also very good quality, not cheap at all. The lenses are glass, polarized, and anti-reflective. Looking out of these is crystal clear and glare-free. Revo did a great job on these lenses and all the materials that they used are very high quality. These can last you a lifetime, if they are taken care of properly.

Price/Value
These glasses are going to be found for around 240 dollars. It's a bit steep, but I really think they are worth it. Once you pick them up and hold them, you realize right away they are high quality. Wearing them is no different and is a pleasure. Also, they are kind of exclusive now, so the price can reflect the fact that they aren't just something that can be grabbed off the shelf at any sunglass hut. I really think that these are worth the money.

Maui Jim mj247

Maui Jim is a Hawaiian company known for making quality sunglasses. They are used by many professionals, such as outdoor athletes, or serious fisherman because they cut the glare of the water so well. They have an assortment of shades from sport to casual and are all very well made.

Philosophy/Function
These glasses are for someone who will not settle for anything less than great. In my opinion this brand of glasses is the top of the line and any enthusiast will absolutely love them. They are for everyday wear, but are top notch for blocking out the sun. These can serve well for someone who is really into sunglasses, or someone who needs serious sun protection. Most importantly, if you have a career that involves spending a lot of time in the sun, you should definitely consider these glasses, or perhaps another type of Maui Jim.

Style
The style on these is actually pretty great, which is why I personally have this pair in my collection. They come in a few different colors, such as gold with brown gradient lenses. Now usually as a whole, Maui Jim isn't really best known for their style, but more for their function. This particular pair though looks great and shares similar characteristics with the Ray-Ban Aviator frame, which is loved by many. Although not exactly the same shape, its kind of modernized and more subtle. Also, they fit pretty well on most people. I think they have a pretty ideal size for a pair of shades. They have a look that is very versatile and can look good in any situation.

Quality/Durability
This is where the Maui's shine. The build of their frame is very good and dependable, but the lenses are incredible. They have different lens material you can choose from polycarbonate to a thin type of glass and more. They also have a variety of colors. What makes these so special though is their patented polarization process. The optical clarity of these glasses is unbelievable and colors seen through them are incredibly vivid. They are anti-reflective, very scratch resistant, no distortion, and cut through glare like no body's business. This is the reasons fisherman like these so much. You can see right through the water in full sun because the glare is completely eliminated. These lenses are the best I've ever experienced.

Pricing/Value
Let's get right into it, you're going to be paying close to 300 for these glasses, but you get what you pay for in this case. Try these out sometime before you buy them and compare them to others in the store to really justify spending that kind of money. If you have never put them on, it might seem crazy. Wearing them is what assures me that I didn't get robbed because of how clear I can see with them on. Maybe not for the first good pair of shades, but for someone who has experienced other higher end glasses, I would definitely recommend these, even with the high cost. This is my favorite pair of sunglasses that I own.

Ray-ban rb3026 (Aviator)

Ray-ban Aviators were originally created for pilots. These became an iconic look shortly after and are now worn by a lot of police officers as well. These are on of the more popular sunglasses of today worn by very many people.

Philosophy
Why do many cops wear these glasses? That I don't know, but they aren't especially well designed for that kind of use. To me these glasses are more about style and making an impression for yourself. Also, anyone who likes that classic, vintage kind of look is probably going to be in the market for a pair of these. Don't get me wrong though, they are made for sun protection and do serve well for that purpose.

Style
These have perhaps the most iconic look to them in the sunglass industry and are worn by people of all age groups and genders. These come in a few different color options for the lenses and the frames. Also, there are smaller sizes because they are actually pretty large glasses, so they might be too large for people with smaller face structures, so make sure you get the size that's right for you. The color scheme in the picture above is the classic, original Aviator and my personal favorite. Something about those green Ray-Ban lenses on the gold frame is just very appealing. Something to watch out for with the styling on any Aviator frame is the shape of the lens interfering with your face movement. What I mean by that is because it the lenses swoop so low, some people's cheeks hit them when the smile and force them to move up. This can be an annoyance to some, so just take that into account, especially if you have a fuller face.

Quality/Durability
The quality is pretty typical Ray-Ban quality. It's good, but not the best. The temples of this frame are made out of pretty thin metal, so that can be something to watch out for because they can bend, without much force. Although the frame is relatively thin, the lenses are made out of glass, which has been polarized and coated with anti-reflective coating on the backside to reduce glare coming from the rear. This being said, the glasses are going to be a little heavier than you might think, but the optical clarity from glass is unrivaled by any other material. Just know that glass does chip and crack, but is harder to scratch than other materials.

Price/Value
You will pay around 150 dollars for these Aviators. I think that in this situation, you are paying for something classic. A design that has stayed in style for many years and will be in style for a very long time. You are getting quality lenses and a decent quality frame, but what you're getting here has a bit of specialty to it. There will be other aviator style frames out there mimicking these, for considerably less money, so why should you spend your hard earned cash on these. I think that simply put, its because they are special. There will only be one original aviator sunglass and I think these will have a certain pride of ownership that is hard to put a price on.

Oakley Holbrook

Oakley is a very popular sunglass brand and they are known for being very good quality.
They have serious sport sunglasses for the hardcore beach volleyball players and more stylish sunglasses for the everyday user. Both are made very well.

Philosophy/Function
These particular Oakley's are made for everyday wear, but can be used for more serious athletic activities as well. The Holbrooks are very popular right now and are enjoyed by many in the age group of about 16 to 25. These can make you stand out or be more subtle depending on the colors you choose to wear.

Style
The style on these is great for the casual look. These aren't going to be worn to anything fancy, as they don't exactly represent a look of maturity or class. These give off a fun vibe. A person who wears these should be one that is social and extroverted because that is how these glasses come off to the public eye. These are good for both men and women, although typically I see them more on men. They are very cool because the colors that they come in are limitless for both the frames and the lenses. They can have matte finishes and glossy finishes, lenses can be gradient, mirrored, and polarized in various colors. My rule as usual is to get polarized. The rest is up to you.

Quality/Durability
From my experience, Oakley has had some of the best quality that I've worked with. The Holbrooks are no different. Oakley's metal frames are always much more thick and heavy than other brands and are much less likely to break. The plastic frames, such as these, are the same way. They snap open very nicely and have pinned construction, which usually doesn't get loose like screws do. Also, their polarized lenses are in my top three best. The optical clarity is very good and the polycarbonate material is very durable. These are made in the USA and they clearly know what they're doing because the quality is very high and consistent. Take care of them and they will last a long time.

Price/Value
The street price on these is around 120 to 190. This depends highly on type of lenses and which colors you choose. In this case, I think that is very justifiable, considering how many sunglasses are out there for that price and don't even come close to the quality. If you don't mind spending some money on sunglasses, these will serve you very well. Many people get more pairs of Oakley's once they buy their first pair because they see the quality that they get from the money they invested. Oakley has a very loyal following and it's for good reason.

Ralph Lauren RA5138

These are the Ralph Lauren RA5138 polarized sunglasses. Ralph Lauren is known more for their clothes than their accessories, but are definitely recognized as stylish and on the higher end of the spectrum.

Philosophy
These glasses are made more for style than for anything else. They would still be good for the beach because they didn't leave you hanging and put polarized lenses in them to give you that necessary glare reduction. These are definitely for the more stylish and confident woman, who doesn't mind a little attention.

Style
I think the styling on these is pretty nice. The overall shape is very glamorous and almost hollywood, but the temples are fairly simple and not very busy, so it isn't anything obnoxious, or arrogant looking. I think they command attention, but in a good way. The color of the lenses is a gradient brown with a tortoise frame and they compliment each other very well. These can be a match for many outfits and can really enhance one's overall look.

Quality/Durability
This is where these get a little bit of a hit. These sunglasses aren't meant to be of the highest quality for that person who is really looking for top-notch gear. They do feel a little bit cheap in the plastic material. Also, the fit and finish is not always consistent. Occasionally, you might see the temples not matching up flush to the rest of the frame, which can create some gaps and some wiggle after wearing them for a while. That could be a bit annoying.

Price/Value
Although, these aren't the highest quality, they are not advertised as sunglasses that are going to give you the best vision and best materials. People are going to get these because they simply like the way that they look and they like the brand. A higher end brand will charge a higher price for the same quality as a lower end brand. That's just the way business works, so nothing can be done about that. That being said, these can be found for around 80 dollars, if you shop around. That's not too bad. I think if you like the way these look and you like the brand enough to represent it, then you can justify spending the money. Now, if you are not too heavy into brands and are just looking for a decent pair of shades, I might go in a different direction.

Ray-Ban rb4181

Slight change to the blog- same basic idea, but I will post my reviews randomly, whenever I feel like I had enough time with the glasses to formulate my opinions. Hope you enjoy my first review.

These are the ever popular Ray-bans. First known for their aviator style glasses made for pilots, Ray-ban has gone a long way in making sunglasses. Right now, they are one of the top sellers in the world and are worn by all types of people, both men and women. Especially popular now are the Ray-ban Wayfarers, but I chose to focus on rb4181 model because it is at least a little different than what everyone else will be wearing, although still similar in style. 

Philosophy/Function

These Ray-bans are made for everyday wear. They are fairly simple in design and should serve well in all kinds of situations, such as driving, going to the beach, or any other outside activities.

Style

This is perhaps the most subjective topic. Style is purely my opinion and can differ from what someone else might think looks good. Also keep in mind that everyone looks different, so they might look good on one person, but no so much on another. These are good for both sexes. You should always try on a pair, if possible before purchase. To me the style on this pair is quickly becoming a classic. It is good for many face shapes and can look classy, yet casual. Very versatile for many looks and many occasions. These come in an array of colors such as, black, yellow, and tortoise. Also the lenses very in shades such as, solid brown, gradient brown, and grey. Also, be aware that they come in polarized and non-polarized. Always go polarized! It will cost a bit more, but it will virtually reduce all glare and help you see much more clearly.

Quality/Durability

Overall, the quality on these is pretty good. For the average user, they should be non-problamatic and last a significantly long time as long as they are taken care of, much like anything else. The construction and materials are very middle of the road and Ray-ban lenses are pretty good as well, featuring good polarization and anti-reflective coating on the backside to prevent glare from when the sun is behind you.

Price/Value

If you shop around, you can find them for around 100 to 120 dollars. You should definitely shop around because there are a plethora of Ray-bans being sold, so they are not hard to find for less than the retail price. For the money, that's about the middle of the road for quality sunglasses as far as price goes, so that matches the quality of the product. Now remember, much like anything else, you're paying for the brand as well. I think this is a great starter pair for a person first getting into higher end shades and they won't disappoint you, or break the bank. 

Overview

            As you can probably assume, this blog is going to focus on sunglasses. I've been involved in the eye wear business, for many years now and I feel like I have acquired a plethora of knowledge. I don't just sell glasses and pretend I know what I'm talking about like most sales associates do. I actually work in the lab and produce the glasses, both sunglasses and prescription. I have worked with a variety of brands, materials, and manufacturers. Many people buy sunglasses based only on brand and looks, but I can provide a lot of information about the quality. Besides the style of the glasses, which is mainly personal, I will touch on many other important aspects of purchasing sunglasses.

            The way this blog is going to work is simple. I'm going to wear a particular pair of sunglasses for a week or two, however long it takes me to assess them. I will post reviews of them on Sundays and rate them all on specific attributes, which I feel are important. This will give everyone a good idea about whether or not they should purchase them and if they are worth the money. Luckily, many sunglasses are asexual, so both the men and the ladies can get some useful information. Stay tuned for Sundays and I hope you all enjoy.