Come Rain or Shine – Look Cool
Even if the weather gremlins are right this summer, look the part with some stylish shades from some of the best independent makers out there
Surprising as it may be the notoriously rainy city of Seattle holds the title of the capital of sunglasses, more pairs are sold in the emerald city than anywhere else in the world. For a city famed for its inclement weather as much as the sartorially dubious Frasier Crane it is hardly a natural fit. However the reason for its title is not a particularly optimistic population but rather a populous that needs their sunglasses so rarely that they are lost in between wears. For a London based publication this seemed quite the parable. Assuming that enough of our readers could hardly identify a sun beam if it came straight out of a place we’re too polite to mention we thought we’d put together a run-down of some of the best, mostly independent, frames on the market right now.Smoke & Mirrors
An independent eyewear company based out of New York with the frames made in France, they look and feel like a new classic. The advantages of buying independent in the eyewear market are numerous, the quality vastly superior to Luxotica made frames and the price points normally not nearly as vertiginous as one would expect. Smoke & Mirrors aesthetic is just the right side of ostentatious and the quality and heft of the frames is undeniably top notch.
YMC
The London based brand long known for its music inspired, adventurous collections have just ventured for the second time into eyewear after a several year hiatus. The new collection mirrors their style well without bringing anything fantastically new to the table apart from a long overdue return of the Ray Ban Safari shape (pictured) called the Olmo. Also at £120 one really cannot argue.
Saturnino
Saturnino eyewear is the off the wall, slightly bat shit crazy and actually amazingly good. Started by an Italian bassist, composer and record producer with all frames named after planets and a particular predilection towards a nice eye bar they are all made in Cadore the birthplace of Italian eyewear. The product is not for retiring wallflowers but they have the quality of both design and craftsmanship to completely justify it. It’s the crazy uncle you have to love.
Ace & Tate
Hailing from Amsterdam Ace & Tate are arguably the best of the new spate of straight to consumer eyewear brands that have come to the market over the last couple years. Ace & Tate are very good at keeping things uncomplicated but with classic, well considered designs and fantastic price points.
Illesteva
The celebrity favourite Illesteva have started popping up on all of the right faces over the last couple years. Another New York based design studio but made in Italy Illesteva use all hand poured acetate so no two pairs are exactly the same. The brand pride themselves on creating classic shapes out of modern materials and the overall effect make these some of the best sunglasses on the market.
Whistles
The menswear brand making all the right noises at the moment whistles has brought itself out the slightly staid high street perennial to start offering understated menswear that slots perfectly into most wardrobes. These sunglasses are no exception, at £65 and perfectly decently made, they are another no brainer from an ever improving brand. Dog not included. 