Top 5 Sunglasses Under $200

I decided to switch up the normal top 5 of shoes, tees and denim and focus on some accessories.  Sunglasses are one of my passions.  Nothing can ruin your outfit more, than having a crappy pair of sunglasses on you face.  To make it on the list the sunglasses have to be under $200 and super sexy.

#5 – Spy Optic Haymaker

I chose this as my number 5, because I like this style but I am not convinced of its greatness. The Haymaker is a combination of plastic with wire noise pieces.  It’s got thick sides and a visor like lenses, but it’s not the weird face shield, like some oversized glasses.  The Haymaker is the flashiest pair on the list but not the most expensive.  They retail for around $134 and can be found at most major sunglass retailers.  If you are looking for a little bit of flash, then the Haymaker is your sunglass.

#4 – Ray Ban Aviator

Everyone remembers the Aviators from the movie “Top Gun” and pretty much every movie from the 80’s.  The Aviators have become a classic and have now, in the 21st century, returned to their glory.  They come in multiple styles, colors and sizes. You don’t want to go to big and end up looking like a highway patrolmen; unless that’s your job. I would stick to the small or military inspired cockpit style.  I have seen a lot of people wearing the outdoorsmen style with leather wrapped top bar.  The best thing about the aviators is they come is a ridiculous amount of styles and colors.  The Aviators retail from $99 to $145, depending on the style. Let’s welcome back a classic with open arms.

#3 – Oakley Frogskins

This is the rarest sunglasses on the list.  They literally broke the mold when they made this sunglasses.  This means most of the styles aren’t even sold retail anymore. This means you’re at the mercy of buying them on eBay and this means you need to be on the lookout for fakes.  The Frogskins are the quintessential classic Oakley sunglasses and like most of the popular sunglasses have returned from the depths of sunglasses retirement.  They were Oakley’s answer to the Ray Ban wayfarer, which is arguably the most popular sunglass of the 1980’s. I have the matte black frames and fire iridium lenses. They are amazing in person, no picture can do them justice. They have subtle frames, but they lenses make them pop.  The Frogskins, if you can find them, retail for $110 to $120 depending on the color and lenses.

# 2 – Ray Ban Wayfarer

The Wayfarer didn’t make number one in my book.  The Ray Ban Wayfarer is probably the most popular pair of sunglasses in the world.  Everyone from celebrities to athletes can be seen rocking a pair of wayfarers.  They have been referenced in songs and can be seen in countless movies.  These are the sunglasses you think of when you think of classic Americana.  The Wayfarer comes in to different sizes and a ridiculous amount of colors and styles.  You can have prints to two-tone color options; you could literally match every outfit in your closet with Wayfarers. The Wayfarers start at $83 to $150 depending on rarity and style.  There are two basic styles, the classic wayfarer and the new sleeker wayfarers; the sleeker wayfarer have thinner lenses.  The Wayfarers can also be turned into prescription glasses, which seem to be extremely popular right now. Stick with the classics!!

#1 – Von Zipper Fulton

I love these sunglasses!  I purchased these without seeing them and it turned out to be one of my best purchases to date. You may recognize the Fulton from “Iron Man 2.” Tony Stark is wearing the black/red checker board Fulton when he is sitting on the Randy’s Donut sign. I picked them up in the dark burgundy; I chose this color because it works with any color you wear. The Fulton's looks like a Wayfarer with a more square lenses and a more comfortable earpiece.  The Fulton is a new sunglass with an old school, classic feel and look. They are about the same price as the Wayfarer, but don’t hold the same stigma as the Wayfarer; people associate these glasses with a certain crowd of people.  So if you are ready to move on to the upper class then choose the Fulton.

Each of these sunglasses are glasses you can wear for many years and when you are sick of them; just pop them on eBay for a premium.  These glasses go with most outfits if your looking for a sporty frame with a original feel.  You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on designer sunglasses just because they are a certain brand; they all serve the same purpose. Instead spend a quarter of the price on a pair that really accentuates your features and doesn’t mask them behind big lenses.  Remember heroes come and go, but legends are forever.