Chanel Sunglasses
From LoveToKnow Sunglasses
Every stylish girl about town knows she needs a great pair of sunglasses to complete her look, and Chanel sunglasses are one of the most sought-after brands around. Whether you wear them perched on top of your head as a fashion accessory, or simply to protect your eyes, it's difficult to go wrong with Chanel.
A Short History of Chanel Sunglasses
The classic brand, made famous by its creator, the sultry and stylish Coco Chanel, has never gone out of fashion. In fact, Chanel sunglasses are now more popular than ever, thanks in part to the slew of celebrities who are frequently photographed wearing the classic shades.
The Chanel brand has been around since 1914, when Coco opened two small boutiques in France. As the years passed, the name became synonymous with style and quality, as the brand brought us such fashion classics as the little black dress, the quilted handbag, the Chanel suit, and the famous line of perfumes.
These days, those celebrated, interlinking C's are found on everything from clothing to makeup, and, of course, sunglasses. While many of Chanel's products are priced way out of the league of the majority of shoppers, the distinctive eyewear provides a means for ordinary mortals to own a piece of Chanel, and to share in the glamour associated with the brand.
The Ultimate Fashion Accessory
Although Chanel has manufactured a wide range of sunglasses over the years, the basic style associated with the brand remains the same. The Chanel look is both classic and dramatic. Sunglasses tend to be black (both the frame and the lenses), with large lenses and silver hardware. Of course, all feature the Chanel logo.
Some styles are more glamorous, with diamonte logos, and some have different colored lenses and frames, but a pair of Chanel sunglasses are always recognisable by their sheer style and quality.
This season, oversized sunglasses have been very much in fashion, and Chanel has found itself once again leading the way with a selection of styles which are up to the minute while still retaining the classic and elegant feel first worn by Coco Chanel herself. The glasses look great worn with that other Chanel standby, the little black dress, or Audrey Hepburn style, with black Capri pants and a simple sweater.
Price
As you'd expect from a high-end designer brand, Chanel sunglasses don't come cheap. Although it’s possible to find some pairs on sale for around $100, you should expect to pay between $200 – 400 for a new pair of Chanel shades, and sometimes more.
How to Spot Fakes and Replicas
The high price of the glasses has led to a large number of replicas and fakes being available on the market. While replica Chanel sunglasses –- glasses which are designed in a similar style to Chanel's, but without attempting to pass the product off as genuine –- are perfectly legal, fake sunglasses are not. If you do decide to buy a pair of bargain Chanel's, you should be careful to make sure that you're not buying illegal fakes.
Although some fakes can very difficult to spot, there are some basic things to look out for:
- Poor Workmanship
Designer sunglasses have high price tags for a reason –- and that reason isn't simply the name. Chanel glasses are made of high quality materials with no obvious flaws.
- Missing or Misspelled Logos
Do your Chanel sunglasses have two interlinking C's on the side? If not, they may not be authentic. Another common trick used by counterfeiters is to misspell the logo, or to use a name similar to the real brand name.
- Poor or Missing Packaging
As with any high quality item, Chanel sunglasses are expensively packaged. A "real" pair should come with a Chanel sunglass case, box, and tags. Many also come with certificates of authenticity. If these are missing, or of dubious quality, think carefully before buying.
Where to Buy
You can buy genuine Chanel sunglasses from a Chanel store (visit the Chanel website to find one near you). They are also available at large department stores such as Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, or Macy's. Airport departure lounges and dedicated sunglass retailers, such as Sunglass Hut, will also stock Chanel, while discount stores like TJ Maxx are a great place to pick up genuine glasses at a discount. Also online shops such as HiSunglasses.com offer discount prices on the latest Chanel sunglasses styles. If you're looking for replicas, try a store such as Not Designer for designer-inspired styles.
Who Wears Chanel Shades?
Chanel sunglasses are becoming increasingly popular. Some stars recently spotted sporting Chanel eyewear include Britney Spears, Nicole Richie and Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.
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