Pre-Loved Sunglasses for A Super Summer
Searches for sunglasses on the Vestiaire Collective app went up a whopping 45% in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. It demonstrates just how ready the world is for the sizzling summer season right around the corner. So if you are also eagerly anticipating picnics at the pool and barbeques at the beach, you might be thinking about investing in a new pair of shades.
Generally, when Fashion Activists think about the ways they can lower their carbon footprint while building their wardrobe they think on a macro scale: coats, jackets, clothing. But we want to let you in on a little secret. Making conscious choices about consumption shouldn’t just stop at clothes. You can do even better. We’ll show you how.
Why choose pre-loved sunglasses?
There are so many reasons to buy pre-loved sunglasses that the real question is why wouldn’t you? Let’s take it first from a sustainability standpoint. Sunglass frames are generally made of either metal or plastic. Both of these materials require the extraction of raw resources to produce. When you consider how many sunglasses are produced each year — the global eyewear market is valued at 160 billion US dollars, and sunglasses account for about forty percent of that — you realise how important it is for your pair of shades to be sourced responsibly. Though sunglasses may seem small, every little bit adds up. Buying pre-loved sunglasses through Vestiaire Collective is the best way to ensure that your small accessories don’t add up to a big carbon footprint.
Sunglasses are one of the most fun items to change out each summer. So what is a Fashion Activist to do if they crave a fresh look but don’t want to contribute to overconsumption? Buy pre-loved! It’s a great way to have a circular closet because you can buy and sell your shades on Vestiaire each season for a summer full of selfies, without any additional resources required to produce them.
Another super reason to get your sunglasses on Vestiaire this summer is that pre-loved frames cost far less than new ones, especially when they are from a designer brand. Why not save a bit of cash while doing your part for the planet? It’s like a little bonus for you for being a Fashion Activist.
What to keep in mind when choosing pre-loved sunglasses
There’s just something about the Italians that makes them really know how to design a pair of sunglasses. Gucci, Prada, and Versace are all known for their sought-after eyewear ranges that are truly works of art. So what about if you want to buy a pair of these sunglasses, or any other designer sunglasses, second-hand? How can you be sure that what you are paying for is what you are getting?
When you shop at Vestiaire Collective, you can have complete peace of mind thanks to our strict quality control. You can select to have any items listed on Vestiaire Collective authenticated which means the item is shipped to our quality control team who inspects it and ensures it is a genuine piece before sending it off to live happily ever after with you. On average, delivery with authentication takes 10 days, so order now to be prepared for summer. Express Delivery means it is already at Vestiaire and has already been authenticated. We also award Trusted Seller Badges to our sellers who have a proven record of selling genuine goods. All of these safeguards are in place to make sure you feel comfortable purchasing second-hand sunglasses from us. And of course, we are here to help if you ever receive an item that you feel doesn’t match its description.
Sunglasses aren’t just a cool accessory. They are among the most useful and practical accessories around, protecting your eyes from harmful sun damage. Choosing a high-quality pair of sunglasses is a worthwhile investment. We can help you find the most sustainable, authentic and affordable pair around.
Vintage second-hand sunglasses styles
Is there anything more decade defining than the sunglasses that were worn at the time? From the ‘50s cateye glasses, to the round frames of the ‘60s, and from the oversized tinted shades of the ‘70s to the aviator-inspired trend of the ‘90s, each decade has its signature sunglasses style. And they’re always circulating back into the present day! These are pieces that tell a story, that have roots in the history of a time and place. So what better item to search for if you are a vintage lover dreaming of replicating your favourite looks from throughout fashion history.
If you love rummaging around vintage stores and you live for the thrill of finding an item that no one else has, vintage sunglasses are surely going to delight you. Vintage shopping online is the best way to find a great pair of pre-loved sunglasses. On Vestiaire Collective, you can search through thousands of sunglasses from every era. If you are a collector and looking for a specific design from an iconic creative director, you may be in luck with our app. Using our search function you can even try to get the exact model of Oliver Goldsmith Manhattan sunglasses that Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s— possibly the most famous pair of sunglasses ever worn. Or perhaps you want to pay homage to one of the great musical artists of the last several decades and go for the enduring round frames that John Lennon favoured. The gender-neutral design suits most face shapes and is a classic look. Just don a beret and your round shades and you’ll be well on your way to recreating Lennon’s iconic image.
Pre-loved sunglasses for him or her
There are many options for sun protection that cater to a specific gender, like visors for women and men’s baseball caps. But what if you don’t feel right labeling your clothing in this way? Sunglasses are a great way to explore breaking into wearing more gender-neutral designs. Sunglasses are small enough pieces that you can step-by-step define the style you best align with. If you think about it, it doesn’t make that much sense to assign genders to sunglasses. After all, everyone deserves to be able to protect their eyes and wants to look good in their chosen sunglasses.
If you’re not sure about it, take a bit of inspiration from a fashion legend. Coco Chanel was a gender transgressor herself in the ‘20s when she chose to wear trousers before it was considered appropriate for ladies to do so. Now she is remembered around the world as a fashion icon and trailblazer. And incidentally, today Chanel sunglasses are among the most desirable pieces of eyewear.
Some periods throughout history fully embraced the concept of gender-neutral sunglasses. In the ‘70s, coming right after the decade of women’s liberation, men and women often wore the same style of sunglasses (think John Lennon and Yoko Ono). Retro sunglasses from this period that feature small, round frames are popular right now so why not log on to Vestiaire and get a pre-loved pair of genuine vintage ‘70s unisex shades?
Choosing from a pre-loved selection of sunglasses will give you a variety of options to choose from. Black is typically considered a unisex colour but sunglasses come in a lot of colours that are gender-neutral like bright blues, greens and yellows. Frame material which used to fall into gendered territory isn’t as rigid these days either. Whether you want metal or plastic, big or small, a round or rectangular shape, it’s your face, your eyes, and your style, so you can choose any model that you feel makes you look and feel your best.
Statement signature summer glasses
Everyone has had that moment where the beloved pair of sunglasses that you have worn everyday and managed to not lose or break for 5 years finally gets lost or broken. And now they are no longer being manufactured.
At Vestiaire Collective we have over 3 million items and luck could be on your side. Maybe that pair of Ray-Bans you loved from your university days can be found again on our app. If not, though, it’s your opportunity to find your new signature statement look. Sunglasses can really give an outfit a whole new vibe, so choosing a pair with a strong impact can really help you stand out. Even when all you have on is a basic tee shirt, jeans and a bucket hat, by putting on a fantastic pair of sunglasses all of a sudden you have yourself a style.
There are several ways your sunglasses can be a showstopper. Tinted lenses or unique frame shapes are obvious considerations but there’s also a pair of Chanel sunglasses that come with a pearl chain. Sunglasses can express so much, in such a small package. What do you want to convey?
We don’t recommend buying just to fill up your closet. That goes against our whole credo. But sunglasses are those things that might just be beneficial to have a couple pairs of, just in case you forget, lose or break one. Buying pre-loved on Vestiaire Collective allows you to collect a pair or two without harming the planet or your wallet.
Sunglasses are small things that can make a world of difference to your outfit, and also make a difference to the world. By choosing to buy pre-loved sunglasses, you are casting a vote for the future health of the planet. No choice is insignificant, and the small things we do will make a difference. In fact, it’s the small steps that we each take individually on a daily basis that collectively will have a huge impact. Imagine if each of the 10 million members on Vestiaire chose to purchase their next pair pre-loved rather than buying them new. That would be 10 million pairs worth of raw resources and energy that doesn’t have to be used up, and 10 million pairs of glasses not languishing in a landfill. We can make choices like this every single time we shop.
Even if sustainability is the most important reason to shop at Vestiaire Collective, it’s not the only one. Besides it being the most eco-positive way to shop, sunglasses bought pre-loved on Vestiaire are more affordable than their high street counterparts. Our selection is enormous thanks to our global marketplace of over 10 million members, and as a very engaged community it’s fun to connect with other Fashion Activists. Through the Vestiaire app, we’ve made it super easy to search using filters, or you can just browse until you find something that strikes your fancy. Don’t forget that we can authenticate every purchase so that you rest assured that you are getting a genuine pair of designer shades that you will treasure.