Choosing Sunglasses: What Really Matters - Design, Comfort, Performance
At AM Eyewear, we believe sunglasses should be more than just an accessory. They’re an essential device designed to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, and they should feel like they were made for you. That’s why, with every design, we ask ourselves two simple questions: what will make this pair safer, and what will make it more comfortable? From oversized frames for larger heads to refined nose pad arms that don’t catch in the hair, we obsess over fit, comfort, functionality, and of course, style.
We live in an era of entrepreneurism, where new sunglass brands appear every year and many are started by people chasing a side hustle, not experts in optics. Unlike America, where sunglasses are classified as a medical device and require FDA approval, most countries (including Australia) allow imports with little to no testing. That means cheaply made sunglasses from factories in China can slip through, offering no UV protection, distorted vision, and, in some cases, causing harm.
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Choosing Sunglasses: What Really Matters - Design, Comfort, Performance
At AM Eyewear, we believe sunglasses should be more than just an accessory. They’re an essential device designed to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, and they should feel like they were made for you. That’s why, with every design, we ask ourselves two simple questions: what will make this pair safer, and what will make it more comfortable? From oversized frames for larger heads to refined nose pad arms that don’t catch in the hair, we obsess over fit, comfort, functionality, and of course, style.
We live in an era of entrepreneurism, where new sunglass brands appear every year and many are started by people chasing a side hustle, not experts in optics. Unlike America, where sunglasses are classified as a medical device and require FDA approval, most countries (including Australia) allow imports with little to no testing. That means cheaply made sunglasses from factories in China can slip through, offering no UV protection, distorted vision, and, in some cases, causing harm.
What should I look for when buying sunglasses?
Check the brand’s optical credentials. If it’s a fashion house, who actually made the sunglasses? If it’s an individual, do they have optical experience? Sunglasses are more than an accessory, and there should be restrictions against “just anyone” being able to release them for public sale. At AM Eyewear: We’re an optical-first company, not a fashion brand dabbling in eyewear or someone looking to supplement their salary. Every pair of our eyewear is designed with expert knowledge at its core, and we’ve been doing it since 2003. Eyewear isn’t our side hustle, it’s our craft.
What makes a good pair of sunglasses?
A high price tag or a famous logo doesn’t guarantee quality. Many luxury fashion houses simply license their name to eyewear giants who churn out plastic-injected frames for a few dollars each. Luxury and quality aren’t injected plastic. At AM Eyewear: We use premium Italian bio-based acetate and Japanese titanium, with 18KT gold-plated hardware and Polyamide Nylon Lenses with Gold Anti-Reflective Coating. Every pair is handcrafted to last, because luxury is felt, it’s not a price tag.
Who really designed and made the sunglasses you’re about to buy?
Many sunglass brands buy generic frames from factory catalogues. These are rarely designed by optical professionals, often go untested, and may fail basic safety standards. That means poor fit, distorted vision, which can make them unsafe for driving.
Are the sunglasses really sustainable?
Many brands claim sustainability because they use “plant-based” acetate, but technically, all acetate comes from plants. What matters is the processing. Cheap factories often cut corners, dumping toxic chemicals like sulfuric acid into the environment. That’s not sustainability, that’s greenwashing. At AM Eyewear: We use certified sustainable acetate made with renewable energy and safer, plant-based plasticisers. It’s phthalate-free, 80% renewable, and biodegradable in industrial composting. Even our lenses and cases use recycled or natural materials, with certifications to prove it.
Why do so many sunglasses look the same and why don’t they fit properly?
Sunglasses purchased through a factory catalogue or off Alibaba, are usually copied from an existing brand and then stripped down to make them as cheaply as possible. Without knowing optical principles, how would a brand know if a factory has cut corners or if a style was designed with structure for a different nationality? At AM Eyewear: With 23 years of design expertise, multiple international awards, and collections shown in Paris, Milan, New York, London, Shanghai, and Sydney, our frames are engineered for precision fit. With custom-designed nose pads, ergonomic temples, and designs tailored to different face shapes, they suit a wide variety of head sizes and ethnicities.
Why are some sunglasses always on sale?
If a brand offers “50% off” or “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” year-round, it’s a red flag. Either the product costs only a few dollars to make, or it’s being drop-shipped from overseas. Also, it’s usually an indication that the brand doesn’t work with physical stores, retailers don’t work with brands that sell to the end user for the same price they sell to a store. At AM Eyewear: Our frames are handmade in Europe, which isn’t cheap. We’re proudly stocked in close to 1000 leading boutiques around the world, and we welcome people to visit us at our flagship store in Darlinghurst, Sydney. No fake markups or no fake sales, just optical products built to last.
Why are some sunglass brands only available online and why aren’t some sunglass brands available in physical stores?
Retailers test frames in person. They check quality, confirm material claims, and ask for certifications. If a brand doesn’t appear in stores, it’s usually because it can’t pass those tests. At AM Eyewear: 90% of our retail partners are high-end Optical practices and before we have the chance to be on their shelves, our product is scrutinised by the best in the business, who also have optical qualifications.
