Buying Designer Eyewear

About Buying Designer Eyewear

Buying designer eyewear is easier--and often less expensive--than you'd think. You just have to be careful in your search, and plan ahead (no impulse buys unless you KNOW they're real and you're not going to find them elsewhere for that price).

The best resource you'll probably have is the internet when you get started buying designer eyewear. You can search by brand or by style. You can even buy them lightly used, if you don't mind that, by visiting eBay.

When You Can Get By with a Fake

Replicas aren't all bad, all the time. In fact, you can get some very realistic knock-offs. If you're just wearing them for everyday fashion, and aren't in danger of debris flying into your eyes (as is the case with sports sunglasses), it's very practical to choose the less expensive pair that looks just as good. This goes for sunglasses OR prescription lenses.

Where to Buy the Designer Eyewear

It probably won't be out of the back of someone's trunk in Los Angeles, like the way Samantha found her Prada purse replicas on Sex and the City! Just prowl around the Internet and your local optical shops to find a good deal--on a replica or the real thing.

Online Sites to Check Out

If you’re not afraid to hop online to scratch the itch, try buying your designer eyewear online. Here are a few spots to check out:

• SunglassesPortal.com is a great place to shop for sunglasses, from Marc Jacobs to Fendi, Valentino to Burberry. The only downside (and it’s possibly an up side!) to their collection is, they only offer recent items. If you’re jonesing for a pair of Giorgio Armanis that came out in 2003, this won’t be the store for you.

• TheSunglassManOnline.com offers great replicas and discounts on true designer sunglasses. You can also find vintage sunglasses, sport sunglasses and more. See? Buying designer eyewear is a snap.

• FramesDirect.com make a nice alternative for those looking into buying designer eyewear in the form of everyday frames and clear lenses. You can even participate in a virtual try-on feature that allows you to get a good idea of how the frames will look on your face. This is a truly excellent resource for eyeglasses AND sunglasses.

Buying Designer Eyewear Locally

Visit a local optical shop. Sometimes they have more power over the prices they've set and can give you a discount. Often, there are student discounts, military discounts or discounts for various professional fields. If you need prescription eyewear, some stores offer up to half off your second pair of glasses. And in some cases, you may find that buying designer sunglasses doesn't cost you a dime. How? By taking advantage of buy one, get one free specials!

Tips to Remember

When you’re buying designer eyewear, do your homework on the retailer. This goes especially online (even more on eBay, so read that feedback!). Don’t pay designer prices for substantially lower quality.

Check the return policy. Again, this especially goes for shopping online. If you order a pair of frames that don’t look good on your face shape, you don’t want to be stuck with them.

If you’re buying designer eyewear online and you need prescription lenses, you don’t always have to have your prescription put in before you receive the frames. Most online stores will allow you to purchase the frames, then after you try them on and make sure they’re what you need, you can take them to a local optical shop. From there, they can fill your prescription and/or tint the lenses to fit your needs.

Found a great online deal on prescription lenses and frames as well? One thing you may want to do is write down the frame size, color and measurements, then look around town for a pair you can try on. Then you’ll know how it looks and still be able to save money. There’s no gamble involved.

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