Fake Sunglasses

What Are Fake Sunglasses?

Mostly, they are counterfeits. Fake sunglasses are any sunglasses that purport to be true designer products, but that are inferior in style, workmanship, or materials. While some experts classify "replicas" and "inspired-by" designs as "fakes," they are not true fakes if they state clearly that they are not the real deal.

If you buy "replica Chanel" or "inspired by Ray-Ban," you are generally going to assume that they are not genuine. But if a vendor sells you a pair of "Maui Jim" sunglasses, it can be tough to know whether you have bought the genuine article or a counterfeit.

Are All Fakes Equal?

No. Some manufacturers specialize in low-cost replicas, and they use quality materials in their production. Manufacturers who clearly state that theirs are not the genuine article (and not buried somewhere in the fine print, but right out in the open) are doing a legitimate and legal business.

While you will not get the patented, unique processes touted by the big-name designers when you buy from these sources, you will not be getting ripped off. Most reputable "replicators" do provide some UV protection, and some even provide an inexpensive and relatively effective polarization. If you are concerned about the "look" rather than the quality, these inexpensive replicas can be an alternative to the expensive designer brands.

Dangers of Fakes

Most people look at the counterfeiting industry as a dishonest business, but they don't recognize the dangers that many fakes pose. But counterfeits are dangerous. The lenses may not be shatterproof, which could endanger your eyesight in an accident. Fakes may not have the level of UV protection that they claim to have -- or they may have no protection at all. They may claim to be polarized when they are not. The lenses may be distorted, which can cause headaches and visual disturbances.

Finding the Fakes

There are several things that can clue you in that the sunglasses you are considering are not genuine.

• Price: You just aren't going to get the real thing for a tenth -- or even a quarter -- of the recommended retail price. If the Dolce and Gabbanas you've been considering are priced at $250 everywhere you've looked, but this one vendor offers them for $50, there's just no way that they are real.
• Packaging: Most designer sunglasses come with specific packaging. Oakleys come with a protective bag. Maui Jims come with a special case. Know what the genuine article comes with: case, cleaning cloth, warranty card, certificate of authenticity. Any or all of these things can help establish authenticity. Anything missing should be a warning that these may not be the real deal. Unpackaged, unprotected eyewear, or eyewear in plain plastic sleeves, is a dead giveaway. And most designers include the logo on their packaging as well as on the product itself. Maui Jim Sport sunglasses, for example, come with a specific case that has the Maui Jim logo embossed into the top. No logo, no guarantee.
• Materials: Most experts recommend testing the hinges of any sunglasses that you are considering. Fakes use inferior hinges that pop or break when stressed. The genuine article will have a specific, high-quality hinge that you should be able to bend gently without distorting or "popping."
• UV Stickers: Amazingly enough, even the humble peel-off sticker can be a clue to the authenticity of the product. Most genuine designer eyewear will sport a peel-off sticker on one lens, a sticker that states the level of UV protection provided by that product. If there's no sticker, the product is probably not genuine.
• Logos: Know your designer logos, and know them well. Many fakes use a flawed logo that can be spotted upon close inspection. Test the logo with a fingernail. If it scratches off with relatively light pressure, it's probably a fake.
• Tags: Know where your sunglasses should be made. Fendi products are not made in Taiwan. Dolce and Gabbanas are not made in India. A "made in" notation with the wrong point of origin is a dead giveaway. The tags on accessories like cases and pouches can also provide clues. If they are poorly sewn on, crooked, or smeared, they are probably on a fake.

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