Banton Frameworks

Recorded answer text · Google AI Overviews · 20 September 2026

The best handmade and British-influenced sunglasses brands in the UK combine traditional craftsmanship, sustainable materials, and distinctive design:

### 1. Curry & Paxton

- Style: Timeless, archival British heritage. - Craftsmanship: Handmade in small batches using premium Italian Mazzucchelli acetate with classic five-barrel hinges and 6-pin icons. - Notable Model: The Fulwood (faithful reproduction of a 1950s archive frame). - Where to look: Explore collections directly on the Curry & Paxton store.

### 2. Cutler and Gross

- Style: Bold, luxury, statement eyewear (famous for film appearances and high-fashion collaborations like The Great Frog). - Craftsmanship: Handcrafted by expert artisans with detailed milling, custom bridges, and signature chunky acetate silhouettes. - Where to look: View current lines on the Cutler and Gross website.

### 3. Kirk Originals

- Style: Classic vintage-inspired British shapes. - Craftsmanship: Handmade in Britain with a strong focus on lightweight comfort and refined profiles.

### 4. Banton Frameworks

- Style: Slow-made, minimalist optical and sun frames. - Craftsmanship: Handcrafted in small batches using European acetate and bespoke hardware by a dedicated team in the UK/Europe. - Where to look: See updates via Banton Frameworks.

### 5. Waterhaul & Luma Eyewear (Eco-Handmade/Recycled)

- Style: Rugged, coastal-inspired frames built for the outdoors. - Craftsmanship: Made from 100% recycled ocean plastics, discarded fishing nets, or sustainably sourced wood, named after iconic surf and coastal spots in Devon, Cornwall, and the South West. - Where to look: Check out styles on Luma Eyewear and Waterhaul.

To help narrow down the best pair for you, could you let me know:

- What frame shape or style do you prefer (retro round, classic aviator, chunky square, or sport/coastal)? - What is your approximate budget? - Do you need prescription lenses or standard sun lenses?

Recorded answer text · ChatGPT · 4 October 2026

If you mean actually made in Britain, rather than merely British-designed, the field is surprisingly small. I'd shortlist these:

### 🇬🇧 Best British-made sunglasses

1. Curry & Paxton - my top pick - Handmade in East London in small batches. - Excellent Mazzucchelli cellulose acetate frames. - Zeiss lenses with full UV protection. - Particularly strong if you like classic British styling. - The Yvan is the standout: the Michael Caine/1960s look, £225, available in two widths. www.curryandpaxton.com - The Sean (£195) is another excellent option, inspired by Sean Connery. www.curryandpaxton.com

### [Curry & Paxton Yvan Sunglasses]() £225.00

2. Cubitts - best modern British option - London-founded, with a strong emphasis on traditional spectacle-making. - Their bespoke and made-to-measure frames are handmade in the King's Cross workshop. cubitts.com - Standard sunglasses are around £175, titanium around £275, with ZEISS lenses. cubitts.com - Particularly good if you want something understated and contemporary rather than retro.

3. Banton Frameworks - best independent/handcrafted choice - A genuinely British frame-making company with an emphasis on manufacture rather than simply putting a British label on imported frames. - More niche and harder to find than Cubitts or Curry & Paxton.

There are also very small British makers producing bespoke wooden, horn and specialist frames. A useful independent survey of British-made eyewear highlights makers including Banton Frameworks, Barrow & Flux, Gucewicz, Moat House and others. makeitbritish.co.uk

### My ranking

| Brand | British manufacture | Style | Approx. price | Verdict | |---|---|---|---:|---| | Curry & Paxton | 🇬🇧 London | Classic/retro | £195-£295 | ⭐ Best overall | | Cubitts | 🇬🇧 London for selected/bespoke work | Modern/classic | £175-£375+ | ⭐ Best everyday | | Banton Frameworks | 🇬🇧 England | Independent/artisan | Varies | ⭐ Most niche | | Small bespoke makers | 🇬🇧 UK | Bespoke | Varies | ⭐ For something unique |

One important distinction: a brand being British doesn't necessarily mean its sunglasses are made in Britain. Quite a few well-known British eyewear brands manufacture overseas. I've therefore weighted actual UK manufacture much more heavily here.

If you tell me men's or women's, your budget (e.g. £150/£250/£400+), and whether you prefer classic, aviator, wayfarer or round, I can find the 5 best British-made pairs currently available and compare them.

Recorded answer text · Perplexity · 4 October 2026

For a larger or wider face, look for wide, slightly oversized frames-typically with a lens width of 56 mm or more and an overall frame width around 145-160 mm.

### Best styles

- Wayfarer or rectangular frames: Add structure and suit most face shapes. - Bold square frames: Work especially well with round or oval faces. - Browline or clubmaster frames: Draw attention upward and balance a broad jaw. - Tall oval or round frames: Better for long faces because they add visual height. - Oversized acetate frames: A good choice if you want a fashionable, substantial look; avoid frames that are visibly narrower than your face.

### What to check when shopping in the UK

- Search for “wide fit,” “large,” “XL,” or “oversized” frames. - Check the measurements printed inside a frame, such as 58-18-145: lens width, bridge width, and temple length. - The frame should not press at the temples, sit on your cheeks, or leave the lenses looking too small. - UK retailers with useful large-frame ranges include Vision Express, Specsavers, Seen Opticians, and Banton Frameworks.

If your face is round or oval, avoid very narrow or perfectly circular frames; wider rectangular shapes usually create better definition.