Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers
Recently, a question came up in the Secret Strategist newsletter chat: A reader sought “a good source for $40-to-$60 sunglasses that I can lose without guilt but are not so cheap that they break immediately. Queer, sporty, almost-40 masc-ish man living in New York. Don’t do trends but also want a New York vibe that is friendly but with enough attitude that the tourists stay away.”
Sunglasses are like umbrellas and mittens: a seasonal accessory too fleeting to expect to keep track of. I similarly only buy my sunglasses from cheap street stands or secondhand online, because I know the minute I buy a fancy pair, I am setting myself up for heartbreak when I inevitably leave them in a dark restaurant. We searched the internet (and the Secret Strategist archive) to find nine pairs that fit the bill: sporty, cool but not scary, and not so expensive you’ll need to take out an insurance policy on them.
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This Goodr pair fits the bill: cheap, sporty, and neither too mean nor too friendly.
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We’ve also heard good things about Uniqlo’s sunglasses. This sport-inspired pair comes in both brown and black.
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Meller’s sunglasses are buy one, get one free — so you can order two and keep a free backup on hand for when you inevitably lose the first pair.
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Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products?
Success! You’ll get an email when something you’ve saved goes on sale.
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Many readers in the chat suggested Crap Eyewear (chef Pierce Abernathy is also a fan), which are out of the ideal price range but frequently go on sale.
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Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products?
Success! You’ll get an email when something you’ve saved goes on sale.
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We also like these two pairs (one polarized for actual sport use) from French company Izipizi.
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Sporty, mean, and fun sunglasses from an official Boiler Room collaboration on deep sale at Revolve.
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You can’t go wrong with a pair of vintage Oakleys, which are expensive new but bountiful and well priced on eBay.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
