Real vs Fake: How to Ensure Authenticity when Buying Designer Sunglasses

While it might be tempting to purchase fake brand name designer sunglasses to save a bit of money, this is not advisable at all. Buying fake anything is never a good idea as it’s illegal and it really damages the actual designer brand as well, but with sunglasses, it’s even more important to avoid them.

As well as looking good, genuine brand name shades have been specially made to protect your eyes from a host of risks that could severely impact your overall eye health. With that in mind, if you want to buy a pair of sunglasses, how can you tell if they are real?

In this post, I am outlining seven tell-tale signs that indicate whether the pair you are considering are the real deal or not when you’re looking for sunglasses that match your style.

1. Branding

One of the best ways to tell if a pair of sunglasses is genuine is to evaluate its branding.

For example, genuine Prada sunglasses will showcase the logo consistently across the temple and lens. This logo is always in a distinctive font (Engry for Prada) and in a certain place down to the last mm. So, if the pair you are looking at differs from what is showcased on the official Prada site, you could take it as a fake.

Additionally, branded sunglasses tend to have other notable features including – in the case of Prada – model numbers, measurements and lens type clearly displayed.

They also come with high-quality cases and often accompanying documentation, such as a certificate of authenticity, which further points to their legitimacy.

2. Product Packaging

As mentioned above, typically, authentic designer sunglasses are accompanied by packaging that has been professionally designed with extreme detail. This includes details such as the logo, brand name and product information.

While fake sunnies might have cases that appear to be real, they often lack quality and the attention to detail that genuine pairs do.

Keep an eye out for spelling mistakes and subpar printing, as well as inconsistencies in terms of frame size measurements, design, colour and model number.

3. Frame Construction and Materials

Frames are an important part of the designer aesthetic and major brands put a lot of resources into ensuring their products are fashionable, precisely aligned and durable.

Often the big brands incorporate materials such as precious metals and acetate into the design of the glasses, which makes them smooth, sturdy and, most importantly, comfortable to wear.

By contrast, a fake pair of shades can often cause discomfort and appear flimsy, to the point where they can break easily.

Overall, the frames of a genuine pair of designer sunglasses will exhibit a level of symmetry, craftsmanship and design that is hard to replicate exactly.

4. Lens Quality

As authentic sunglasses are always made with high-quality lenses that provide superb optical clarity and protection against harmful UV rays, simply trying them on is a good way to determine if they are real or fake.

If the lenses of a pair of designer sunglasses are a bit blurry, then they are highly unlikely to be real.

Moreover, genuine lenses tend to have scratch-resistant coatings, consistent colours, a UV protection etching or label and precise tinting. So, if you check them under various light conditions, you should be able to see if there are any imperfections or distortions that might point to their fakeness.

5. Screws, Hinges and Nose Pads

It might not have occurred to you, but the screws, hinges and nose pads incorporated within the design of your sunglasses can go a long way towards revealing if your sunglasses are fake or genuine.

Typically, an authentic pair of sunglasses will be defined by premium hardware that incorporates well-functioning hinges that open and close without resistance or squeaking.

Additionally, genuine eyewear also features screws that are properly tightened and do not feel wobbly or loose. At the same time, the nose pads tend to be made from comfortable and soft materials that fit securely and do not cause irritation.

6. Price

The price of the sunglasses you are looking at is another really good indication of whether they are genuine or not. Probably one of the best indicators, actually.

It is a good idea to know how much a designer pair of sunglasses retails for on the official brand’s website. That way you can use their suggested retail price as a baseline.

For instance, if a pair of branded shades costs £400 on an official website, but you see them available for £100 in a shop (or online) then the chances are they are fake. When buying a pair of designer sunglasses, it is important to remember that you get what you pay for.

7. The Shop

A very simple way of ascertaining whether a shop is selling authentic or counterfeit branded sunglasses is to seek proof that they are an authorised seller.

Most of the leading brands will have a list on their website of approved vendors. However, if they don’t, the shop you are interested in purchasing from should be able to provide you with some kind of documentation that confirms they have permission to sell genuine designer shades.

There are lots of different ways to tell if a pair of sunglasses seem legit or not, so always do your research! Designer brands are never sold really cheap.