Quay Australia

Recorded answer text · Google AI Overviews · 4 October 2026

Some of the trendiest and most popular sunglasses brands available in the UK right now range from accessible fashion-forward labels to premium independent makers.

### Trendy & Affordable Brands

- Meller: A Barcelona-born brand popular across the UK for its chic, retro-modern geometric and oval frames like the [Meller Tana](, typically priced around £49. - Hawkers: Known for colourful, highly durable, and affordable unisex styles (such as the Warwick line) that frequently collaborate with celebrities and influencers. - Quay: Highly favored for oversized, statement-making frames that cater well to wider fits and bold aesthetics.

### British Independent & Contemporary Labels

- Cubitts: A London-based contemporary eyewear brand celebrated for its robust, classic yet distinctly modern acetate frames inspired by British architectural styles. - Archibald London: Known for offering handcrafted, premium Italian acetate frames without traditional designer markups.

### Designer & Luxury Standouts

- Loewe: Frequently highlighted by British fashion editors at outlets like The Standard for ultra-chic, oversized tortoiseshell and geometric statement shapes. - Ray-Ban: A perennial classic maintaining high trend relevance through modern twists on oval flat lenses, Wayfarers, and Clubmasters.

If you'd like to narrow down these options, let me know:

- Your preferred budget range (e.g., under £50, mid-tier £100-£200, or luxury) - The frame style you like most (such as cat-eye, oversized, rectangular, or round) - Any face shape or fit requirements (like needing wider frames)

Recorded answer text · ChatGPT · 4 October 2026

If you want good-looking sunglasses without paying Ray-Ban prices, these are the UK brands I'd shortlist right now:

### [Le Specs Outta Love Sunglasses]() £29.99

### [#L Sunglasses Izipizi]() £45.00

### [Hawkers Sunglasses Zenith]() £30.14

### [Polaroid Sunglasses]() £25.32

### [Quay Nightfall Sunglasses Women's]() £60.93

### My picks

| Brand | Typical UK price | Best for | Verdict | |---|---:|---|---| | Le Specs | ~£40-£80 | Fashion-forward, designer-looking frames | ⭐ Best overall | | IZIPIZI | ~£40-£55 | Everyday wear, lightweight frames | ⭐ Best practical choice | | Hawkers | ~£25-£65 | Cheapest stylish option | ⭐ Best budget | | Polaroid | ~£25-£40 | Polarised lenses / driving | ⭐ Best functional value | | Quay | ~£50-£100 | Oversized, celebrity/trend-led styles | ⭐ Best statement frames | | Meller | ~£49 | Modern designer-inspired styles | Good mid-budget option | | Mango / Zara / ASOS | ~£15-£40 | Very cheap fashion styles | Good if style matters more than longevity |

Le Specs is probably the sweet spot. British Vogue currently highlights its range as affordable, with many styles around £50-£80, while the brand's UK site has popular Outta Love frames at £55. www.vogue.co.uk

IZIPIZI is my choice if you're buying one pair for everyday use: current UK examples are around £45, and the brand is particularly known for lightweight, accessible eyewear. www.vogue.co.ukwww.quay.com

Hawkers is worth considering if you want to stay around £25-£40. Current UK listings include models around £25-£30. www.shopping.co.uk

Meller is another interesting £49-ish option; The Independent recently tested several of its models and described them as lightweight but robust. www.independent.co.uk

### 🏆 If I were spending my own money

- Under £30: Hawkers or Polaroid - £40-£60: IZIPIZI - £50-£80: Le Specs - my favourite - £60-£100: Quay if you want a more noticeable fashion look - Driving / glare: Polaroid, particularly a polarised model

One important point: don't judge UV protection by price or how dark the lenses look. Look for explicit 100% UVA/UVB or UV400 protection; lens tint darkness isn't a substitute for UV protection. www.quay.com

If you tell me your budget (e.g. £30, £50, £100) and whether they're men's/women's/unisex, I can find the 10 best-looking pairs currently available in the UK.

Recorded answer text · Perplexity · 4 October 2026

The best sunglasses brands worth the hype in the UK are:

- Ray-Ban - Best all-rounder. Classic Wayfarer and Aviator styles, reliable UV protection, and easy-to-wear designs. A strong choice around the mid-range price point. - Persol - Best for premium craftsmanship and understated style. Their frames feel more distinctive and luxurious than standard designer sunglasses. - Oakley - Best for sport, cycling and outdoor use. Choose these for secure fit, durable frames and performance lenses rather than fashion alone. - Le Specs - Best affordable fashion brand. Offers trend-led shapes and good style for considerably less than luxury labels; prices commonly start around £110 for higher-quality ranges. - Quay - Best budget-to-mid-range statement sunglasses. Particularly good for oversized, retro and celebrity-inspired styles. - Oliver Peoples - Best for quiet luxury. Minimal branding, refined shapes and a more sophisticated look. - Jacques Marie Mage - Best for collector-level eyewear. The brand is known for limited-production frames regarded as modern heirlooms, but prices are very high. - Tom Ford - Best for polished designer glamour. Strong if you want recognisable luxury styling without going as overtly logo-heavy as some fashion houses. - Gucci or Prada - Best for fashion impact. Worth considering when the frame design matters more than value or timelessness. - Chanel - Best for feminine luxury styles, especially oversized and embellished frames.

## Best buys by budget

| Budget | Best brands | Why | |---|---|---| | Under £100 | Quay, Le Specs, Polaroid | Fashionable styles and accessible pricing | | £100-£180 | Ray-Ban, Oakley, Kapten & Son | Reliable everyday options; Ray-Ban remains the safest all-round purchase | | £180-£350 | Persol, Oliver Peoples, Tom Ford | Better materials, stronger finishing and more distinctive designs | | £350+ | Jacques Marie Mage, Chanel, Gucci, Prada | Luxury construction or high-fashion styling |

Best overall recommendation: Ray-Ban Wayfarer for an everyday pair, or Oakley if you need sunglasses for sport. For a more premium, less ubiquitous look, choose Persol.

Whatever the brand, check that the sunglasses provide 100% UVA and UVB protection; dark lenses alone do not guarantee adequate protection.