You’ve already stashed the sweaters away and tossed your jacket in the farthest reaches of your closet, now it’s time for a new pair of sunglasses for the season. And if you’re still using the $15 ones you bought at a mall kiosk, it’s time for a pair a little nicer. Here are our picks for the best of the season:
Ray-Ban Clubmaster Wood
The classic Clubmaster just got an outdoorsy upgrade. Now clad in one of three woods—walnut, maple, or cherry—the Clubmaster is ready to impress all over again. Ray-Ban treats the wooden frames to make them exceedingly comfortable and dependably durable.
$300
Warby Parker Dempsey
The latest series of shades from America’s favorite affordable eyeglass brand is inspired by visionaries, artists, and icons. Our pick from the Luminary Collection is Dempsey. Consider the pair a modern take on the classic aviator frame, with premium Japanese titanium and a connecting brow bar.
$145
Oliver Spencer Sid Blue
High-quality acetate sunglasses get a splash of color thanks to Oliver Spencer. The London-based designer just launched his Spring/Summer collection for 2015, and included in it is a pair of attention-demanding shades. The bright blue frame is paired with some lightly tinted brown lenses and a classic Oliver Spencer red accented temple tip.
$255
Capital Forrest
We love the classic Wayfarer as much as the next guy, but what we really love is a handcrafted, small-batch version of the well-known sunglasses. The Forrest model from Capital Eyewear has all the California vibes of the iconic shades, and they come in a few different colorways. We dig the old-school good looks of the Havana Tortoise.
$145
Garrett Leight Lincoln
Think The Talented Mr. Ripley with a little less preppiness. The Lincoln sunglasses from Garrett Leight combine cured acetate with stainless steel for a bit of a ’50s vibe. The cured acetate delivers strength and durability and makes the shades more suited for the long haul than a pair of plastic ones from the mall.
$340
Jack Spade Thompson
Based on the design of these sunglasses, we’re going to assume they’re named after Hunter S. Thompson, though for legal reasons, Jack Spade won’t mention it. If we’re correct, that makes them even cooler. For some larger frames perfectly suited for blocking the sun while you fire rifles in your backyard, the Thompson sunglasses from Jack Spade fit the bill.
$148
Cutler and Gross 0734 Burnt Orange
If you’re willing to shell out a bit more for a pair of shades, we’d recommend these from Cutler and Gross. Each pair is handmade out of Italian acetate and polished by hand. The burnt orange adds a bit of a late evening beach vibe to your outfit. It’s the most sought-after model from Cutler and Gross thanks to its timeless style.
$500
Our Legacy Void Black
Similar to the Anthony Michael Hall smoking shades in The Breakfast Club, these sunglasses from Our Legacy are simple but stylish. Made by hand out of Italian Mazzucchelli acetate, the matte black frames get paired with a set of Carl Zeiss lenses to form a muted pair of sharp shades.
$200
