How To Afford Brand-name Glasses

This is a collaborative post.

Regardless of where you look, labels are everywhere, from Burberry to Prada, Gucci, and Ray-Ban; there are many options for eyewear brands in the U.S., and it’s no secret why they’re so popular. Name-brand glasses have become a status symbol as well as an essential accessory to showcase the different sides of a person’s personality. 

What adds to their popularity is that professional eyewear labels have perfected pairing certain styles with mainstream trends in the fashion industry. Not to mention, label designer brands are known to produce better constructed and durable products than regular frames and, in that way, offer more benefits beyond the aesthetics of a pair of glasses.

While it is easy to say that designer glasses are made of high-quality materials, are designer shades worth the hefty price tag?  After all, even inexpensive glasses can offer common and desired features like sun protection.

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What Makes Brand-Names Expensive?

Designer brands are expensive, but they don’t necessarily vary a lot from prescription glasses. Typically, a household name automatically guarantees a higher quality level. The main appeal of designer frames compared to generic prescription glasses and frames are how they are manufactured. 

Name-brand glasses are a significant investment. So, their higher price point helps cover features like warranty support and minimal waiting time for spare parts, meaning your glasses will be available when you need them. 

Furthermore, big names charge extra for embellishments, glamorous designs, a wide variety of frame shapes, involvement of special materials such as gold and titanium, as well as brand licensing. Nonetheless, beyond these factors, the eyeglasses industry is a monopoly. Meaning, a lot of brands are owned by a single company. 

Affording Luxury Eyewear

Do you really need luxury eyewear? The answer can vary. If you are looking to invest in single vision lenses with no specifications, complicated vision-related requirements, or personalization, then perhaps you should invest in a pair of luxury eyewear.

If you are interested in getting luxury eyewear, there are a few ways to avoid paying a hefty price for eyeglasses. 

1. Buy Luxury Glasses Online

While it is a given that you will be able to get prescription glasses online at lower prices than at brick-and-mortar retailers, non-prescription glasses are even more affordable. 

This is because a lot of online price competition exists in the industry to capture informed consumer audiences that the prices always remain low. Online distributors like GlassesUSA.com don’t have to compete for uninformed consumers. Furthermore, they also feature almost all popular eyeglasses brands on the web—from Gucci to Ralph Lauren, Ray-Ban, and more. 

2. Take Advantage of Insurance

In contrast, you can leverage vision insurance plans to cover a portion of the price of your frames and lenses. So, before you get down to a luxury eyewear hunt, figure out if you are covered by insurance. 

If you don’t have a separate vision insurance plan, see if you are covered under your regular medical insurance plan. A lot of insurance plans these days include a basic dental or eye care plan. This means there’s a good chance that you might be covered without even realizing it.

The next step is to ensure the retailer you choose accepts your specific vision insurance. If they accept it, see what terms are involved and what your insurance covers. You should ideally take advantage of whatever you can to make your investment in luxury eyeglasses worthy. On the other hand, if the store doesn’t accept your insurance plan, check with your plan’s administrator whether they will offer reimbursement if you pay out-of-pocket.

3. Do Your Research

Before heading for an eye test, it is imperative that you fully research the options available to you. This will help you decide on the best deal for your money. Visit various retailers and check if they have coupons or deals to cut the cost of your new eyeglasses. 

Are Designer Glasses Worth the Price?

Sometimes, they are worth the price you pay. An exact answer to this will ideally depend on what you want from the glasses and how much you are willing to invest in your vision. For instance, if you are looking for a pair of durable glasses to make a statement, designer glasses are easily worth the price. Regardless of your choice, remember to start by consulting with a qualified optometrist to make the best decision for your eye health.