AM Eyewear

Recorded answer text · Google AI Overviews · 8 November 2026

Australia has a strong lineup of eyewear and sunglasses brands known for handling harsh UV conditions, sustainable manufacturing, and iconic fashion styles.

### Top Australian Eyewear Brands

- Le Specs - Style & History: Founded in 1979 on Bondi Beach, this is one of Australia's most iconic and accessible fashion-forward sunglasses brands. Known for retro-inspired frames, edgy silhouettes, and high-profile designer collaborations. - Price Range: Generally accessible/affordable fashion tier. - Spotters - Style & Focus: 100% Australian family-owned and built for extreme outdoor conditions, tradies, and fishermen. Famous for real glass lenses, high durability, and superior UV/glare protection. A consensus favorite on community forums like Reddit for rugged, real-glass performance. - Valley Eyewear - Style & Focus: Hand-crafted, luxury statement frames with bold geometric lines, bevelled temples, and distinct metal cross details. - Price: Around $280 AUD (e.g., iconic Leeches style). - Pared Eyewear - Style & Focus: Celebrated for 70s-inspired aviators, geometric shapes, and unique temple details with custom-wash lens options (such as the popular Uptown & Downtown series). - Price: Around $265 AUD. - Szade - Style & Focus: Based in Melbourne, Szade focuses heavily on circular fashion and eco-innovation by turning old, discarded sunglasses into trendy new recycled frames ("sunglasses made from sunglasses"). - Local Supply - Style & Focus: Born in Bondi, this brand specializes in eco-conscious design using fully biodegradable bio-acetate frames built to handle bright local sunlight. - AM Eyewear - Style & Focus: Founded in 2003, an artisan independent label focusing on high-end lifestyle frames, hand-crafted quality, and sustainable craftsmanship.

Are you looking for everyday fashion sunglasses, polarized outdoor/fishing glasses, or prescription optical frames? Tell me your preferred style or budget and I can recommend a specific brand.

Recorded answer text · ChatGPT · 8 November 2026

Australia has some excellent homegrown sunglasses brands, from premium designer frames to affordable everyday sunnies. The best ones combine UV400 protection, polarised lens options, quality materials and designs suited to the Australian sun\.

Here are the Australian brands I'd put on your shortlist.

## Best Australian sunglasses brands

!AM Eyewear Introduces Its Latest SS23 Collection

1\. AM Eyewear

(Best premium)

Beautiful acetate frames, distinctive shapes and sophisticated styling. A great investment option.

Approx. \$250-\$450.

Shop AM Eyewear

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!Tommy Napolitano - Campaign ADV/ VEHLA

2\. Vehla

(Best minimalist)

Understated luxury, vintage-inspired silhouettes and beautiful neutral colours.

Approx. \$200-\$300.

Shop Vehla

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![Stevie - Cream Peach - Poppy Lissiman](

3\. Poppy Lissiman

(Best statement designs)

Bold, oversized, playful and fashion-forward. Great if you want something less conventional.

Approx. \$150-\$300.

Shop Poppy Lissiman

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!Honey Pot Nude Female Rectangle Sunglasses | Le Specs

4\. Le Specs

(Best all-rounder)

Established Australian favourite with loads of contemporary, classic and fashion-led options.

Approx. \$70-\$180.

Shop Le Specs

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!Australian Eyewear Brand Velvet Canyon New Range | Hypebae

5\. Velvet Canyon

(Best vintage aesthetic)

Byron Bay-born label with gorgeous retro-inspired frames, warm tones and interesting silhouettes.

Approx. \$150-\$330.

Shop Velvet Canyon

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!Epokhe Void Sunglasses Matte Black/Black Iridium Polarised

6\. Epokhe

(Best surf-inspired)

Cool coastal aesthetic, quality construction and distinctive shapes. Particularly good for a relaxed everyday look.

Approx. \$180-\$300.

Shop Epokhe

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!Buy Szade Sharp New Spice/caper Lenses| Afterpay | Zip Pay

7\. Szade

(Best affordable sustainable)

Melbourne label using recovered and recycled eyewear materials. Trendy styles without the premium price.

Approx. \$50-\$100.

Shop Szade

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!Buckler - Amber with Polarised Green lens - Pacifico Optical

8\. Pacifico Optical

(Best understated luxury)

Refined, coastal-inspired frames with a timeless feel. Great if you prefer subtle branding.

Approx. \$200-\$350.

Shop Pacifico Optical

www.broadsheet.com.aufashionjournal.com.auwww.gourmettraveller.com.au

## My top five overall

| What you're after | My pick | |--------|--------| | Best quality investment | AM Eyewear | | Quiet luxury | Vehla | | Fashion-forward | Poppy Lissiman | | Best value | Le Specs | | Timeless everyday style | Pacifico Optical |

## One important thing about lenses

For Australian conditions, I'd look for\:

- Category 3 lenses for bright sunlight. - UV400 / 100% UVA and UVB protection. - Polarised lenses if you drive frequently or spend time around water.

## Let's narrow it down

What sort of sunglasses aesthetic are you looking for?

1\. Preferred aesthetic

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2\. Budget per pair

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3\. Frames

Women's

Men's

Unisex

[Find my best sunglasses brands]

Recorded answer text · Perplexity · 8 November 2026

The best sunglasses brands in Australia depend on your priorities:

| Best for | Brand | Why | |---|---|---| | Best overall Australian style | Le Specs | Fashion-forward designs at relatively accessible prices; a long-established Australian brand. | | Affordable, trendy frames | Quay Australia | Bold, social-media-friendly styles with a broad range of shapes. | | Australian-made craftsmanship | AM Eyewear | Handcrafted Australian frames with distinctive, individual designs. | | Sports and outdoor use | Oakley | Strong performance eyewear, especially for cycling, running, golf and water sports. | | Premium Australian design | OTIS | Known for premium construction and mineral-glass lenses that offer strong scratch resistance. | | Minimalist luxury | Vehla | Clean, unisex silhouettes and understated styling. | | Polarised everyday sunglasses | Maui Jim | Excellent lens technology and glare reduction, particularly useful around beaches and water. | | Classic, dependable styles | Ray-Ban | Wide selection of iconic aviators, Wayfarers and other timeless frames. | | Luxury designer fashion | Gucci, Prada or Oliver Peoples | Strong choices for statement frames or refined, premium styling. | | Budget Australian option | South Cali | Affordable styles with polarised lenses and UV400 protection. |

Best short list: choose Le Specs for value and fashion, AM Eyewear or OTIS for Australian design, Oakley for sport, and Maui Jim for premium polarised lenses.

For Australian conditions, prioritise lenses labelled UV400 or 100% UVA/UVB protection; polarisation is especially useful for reducing reflected glare from roads, water and sand.