2 years ago
Particularly when it comes to buying your first pair of glasses, choosing suitable eyewear that matches your price bracket, style and optical requirements can seem like a minefield. One of the biggest and most obvious differences between the huge number of pairs you have to choose from is the cost. At one end of the shop you might see the generic specs, reasonably priced and with very little advertising; at the other end your eyes are drawn to the glitzy adverts, the designer labels and the more upbeat styles. But are designer glasses worth it? Are they really worth the extra pounds (and sometimes quite a lot of extra pounds) you are expected to pay?
Are Designer Glasses Worth It?
You’ve had your eye exam and are quite excited about getting a new look, so you start trying on the various frames in the shop. As you try styles from all the price ranges you’ll notice that some pairs stand out. They might have a nice finish, they fit better, they are balanced, polished and smooth - oh, and they look great too! You can tell they are a quality product. So much happens to frames before they end up in the shop and not all frames are created equal, which is why going down the designer route can pay off. It is the difference between driving a Ford Fiesta and a BMW.
What Goes into a Frame?
The majority of the money required to make a new style of frame goes into the research. After all, a new style has to accommodate the fact that glasses are a medical aid; not only do they need to be stylish and feel good, they also need to prioritise the job of looking after your eyes. Any new frame style has to go through multiple tests before being brought to market, and many of these steps must comply with regulated safety standards and legal requirements.
During the manufacturing, the higher quality frames are subject to a rigorous development process. Many are handmade, require the use of specialist machinery and can go through up to 100 stages of manufacture before completion. The superior finish you see in the final product also demands extra care and attention, which comes at an added cost. Just like any consumable, materials and quality of design varies a lot. Newer materials in the world of frames, such as plastics and sturdy metals, provide excellent durability but again, because they are expensive to source and work with, they demand a higher price tag.
When considering the question, ‘are designer glasses worth it?’, you should also remember that brand licensing ensures top quality products. There are strict quality assurance and marketing standards that must be adhered to by well-known designer brands, and this gives you the peace of mind that you’re getting what your higher price tag promises. Talk to your local optician and they will also be able to advise and reassure you that the glasses you want are worth the price you’re happy to pay, whatever that may be.
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