The Ultimate Le Specs Sunglasses Review: Are They Worth the Hype?
If you‘ve been on the hunt for the perfect pair of statement sunnies, chances are you‘ve come across the uber-trendy Australian eyewear brand Le Specs. Spotted on everyone from A-list celebs to your most fashionable friend, Le Specs has quickly become the "it" sunglasses brand thanks to their eye-catching designs and affordable price point. But are they really worth all the hype?
In this ultimate Le Specs sunglasses review, we‘re diving deep into the brand to give you the full scoop. We‘ll cover the history of Le Specs, take a detailed look at some of their most popular styles for men and women, see how they stack up to competitors like Ray-Ban, analyze real customer reviews, and give you our honest take on whether Le Specs sunnies are worth adding to your collection. Let‘s get into it!
The Backstory: How Le Specs Became a Global Eyewear Sensation
While Le Specs may seem like an overnight success, the brand actually has a long and rich history dating back to 1979. The company was originally founded in Australia by a local cosmetics company called Australis, with the goal of designing edgy, fashion-forward sunglasses.
After a relatively slow start, the brand was acquired in 2005 by Sunshades Pty Limited, helmed by CEO Rodney Grunseit. Le Specs was relaunched in 2006 with a new creative director, Hamish Tame, who brought a bolder, more directional design aesthetic to the brand.
It was the appointment of Tame that really put Le Specs on the map in the fashion world. He introduced more architectural shapes and cutting-edge materials that caught the attention of international buyers and celebrities.
The brand‘s big breakthrough moment came in 2016, when Gigi Hadid was spotted wearing the now-iconic Le Specs x Adam Selman Last Lolita cat-eye sunglasses. The $119 shades promptly sold out worldwide and cemented Le Specs as a major player in the eyewear game.
Since then, Le Specs has continued to grow its global presence, expanding to over 90 countries and collaborating with more high-profile designers like Henry Holland and Jordan Askill. The brand now boasts over 220K followers on Instagram and has been featured in the likes of Vogue, Forbes, and Business Insider.
Putting Le Specs to the Test: Our Review of Popular Styles
So now that you know a bit about the brand‘s backstory, you‘re probably wondering: okay, but are the sunglasses actually cute? And how‘s the quality? To help you decide whether to add a pair of Le Specs to your cart, we‘ve rounded up some of the brand‘s bestselling sunglasses for men and women for an in-depth review.
For Women: The Le Specs Air Heart
If you‘re a fan of the ultra-femme cat-eye silhouette, you can‘t go wrong with the Le Specs Air Heart sunglasses. This modernized take on the classic 50s style is universally flattering and adds a touch of vintage glamour to any look.
The Air Heart is made with a lightweight, durable polycarbonate frame and features a slim metal nose bridge and temples for a sleek finish. The lenses are also scratch-resistant and provide 100% UV protection, so you can look good while shielding your eyes.
Styling-wise, these shades are incredibly versatile and pair well with everything from sundresses to t-shirts and jeans. They come in a range of chic colorways, but you can‘t go wrong with classic black or tortoiseshell.
Priced at an affordable $69, the Air Heart offers designer looks for a fraction of the price. Considering the quality construction, stylish design, and celeb-approved status, we think they‘re a total steal and worth picking up in a few colors.
For Men: The Le Specs Bandwagon
If you‘re a guy who wants a stylish pair of everyday shades, check out the Le Specs Bandwagon sunglasses. With a classic round shape and keyhole nose bridge, these unisex sunnies have a cool, slightly vintage feel that works for a range of face shapes and personal styles.
The Bandwagon is also made with hardy polycarbonate and has polarized lenses that help reduce glare and eye strain – perfect if you‘re spending a lot of time outdoors this summer. And the matte rubberized finish on the frame means they‘ll stay comfortably in place all day.
Another great thing about the Bandwagon is the variety of colorways available – they come in 10 frame/lens combos, from classic black to trendy clear with colored mirror lenses. The shades also come in a special Blue Light version to filter out harmful blue-violet light from screens.
At just $69 for standard pairs and $74 for Blue Light, the Bandwagon sunglasses are an affordable, durable, and stylish choice that you‘ll reach for again and again. They‘re a great guy-approved style from Le Specs.
Le Specs vs. Ray-Ban: How Do They Compare?
Of course, Le Specs isn‘t the only trendy sunglasses brand out there. Perhaps the brand‘s biggest competition is another eyewear heavyweight: Ray-Ban. With a devoted celebrity following and classic styles like the Wayfarer and Aviator, Ray-Ban is definitely Le Specs‘ main rival when it comes to cool-kid shades.
So how do the two brands compare? Let‘s break it down:
Pricing
In terms of price point, Le Specs is the clear winner. Most of the brand‘s sunglasses are priced under $100, with styles averaging around $60-$80 a pair. Ray-Bans, on the other hand, are decidedly pricier, with classic Wayfarers going for $200+ and Aviators for $160+. If you‘re looking for quality shades that won‘t break the bank, Le Specs is the way to go.
Styles
Both brands offer a range of classic and contemporary sunglasses styles, from aviators and wayfarers to more avant-garde shapes. However, we‘d say Le Specs definitely has the edge when it comes to unique statement sunglasses with eye-catching details and modern silhouettes. If you want shades that will really get you noticed, go for Le Specs.
Quality
In general, Ray-Bans tend to be a bit higher quality than Le Specs, with sturdier metal frames and glass lenses. Le Specs uses more lightweight polycarbonate frames and lenses. However, that‘s not to say that Le Specs are flimsy – the brand uses high-quality materials and construction to ensure their sunnies are durable and made to last. We‘d say Le Specs quality is very good, especially for the price.
Lenses
Both brands offer 100% UV protection and have polarized lenses available. However, Ray-Ban uses its signature G-15 lenses, developed for military use to provide superior clarity, while Le Specs uses standard polarized lenses. If lens quality is a top concern for you, stick with Ray-Bans.
Policies
In terms of shipping and returns, Ray-Ban has the advantage, offering free shipping and returns within 45 days in the US. Le Specs has a $50 minimum for free standard shipping (otherwise it‘s a $5 flat rate) and a 60 day return policy, but the customer has to pay return shipping fees.
Overall, while Ray-Bans are the classic luxury choice and offer top-notch quality and customer service, we think Le Specs provides amazing value and style for the money. If you want unique, statement sunglasses that look designer-caliber but cost a fraction of the price, we‘d recommend Le Specs over splurging on Ray-Bans.
What Customers are Saying: Le Specs Reviews
We‘ve given you our two cents on Le Specs, but what are real customers saying about the brand? We scoured reviews on Le Specs‘ website, Amazon, and other retailers to get a broad sense of customer feedback.
In general, reviewers rave about the style and quality of Le Specs, especially for the price point. Many compare them favorably to high-end designer sunglasses, saying they look and feel more expensive than they are. Customers also love the sturdy, lightweight frames and how comfortable the sunglasses are to wear for long periods of time.
The most popular Le Specs styles based on reviews seem to be the Air Heart, Bandwagon, The Prince, and The Last Lolita. Reviewers note that these styles are super flattering, well-made, and get tons of compliments.
Some reviewers do say that certain styles can be too oversized or "cartoonish" looking on their face, so it‘s important to choose a silhouette that works for your face shape. A few also warn that the nose pads can become a bit slippery if you‘re sweating.
That being said, the vast majority of reviews for Le Specs are overwhelmingly positive, with customers saying they love their sunglasses and would definitely purchase from the brand again. Reviewers also praise Le Specs‘ customer service and easy ordering/returns process.
Overall, based on reviews, Le Specs sunglasses seem to be a hit with most customers and are a great value for the style and quality you get.
The Final Verdict: Are Le Specs Sunglasses Worth It?
After thoroughly researching and testing Le Specs sunglasses, we‘ve come to the conclusion that yes, the brand is absolutely worth the hype and your hard-earned dollars. Le Specs delivers statement-making, high-quality sunglasses at a super affordable price point, making them an amazing value overall.
We‘re especially impressed by the brand‘s fashion-forward designs, which manage to be both trendy and timeless, and the use of high-quality, lightweight materials. The sunglasses are also very well-made and durable for the price – these aren‘t flimsy fast fashion shades that will fall apart after one season.
Another big selling point for us is the comfort and wearability of Le Specs sunglasses. Thanks to the adjustable nose pads and sturdy construction, these sunnies stay put on your face and can be worn all day without causing irritation or slippage. And with 100% UV protection, your eyes will be shielded while you‘re looking super stylish.
Compared to premium brands like Ray-Ban, we think Le Specs offers similar quality and better style at a much lower cost. You can snag several pairs of Le Specs for the same price as one pair of Ray-Bans, letting you build a sunglasses wardrobe full of fun colors and silhouettes. And considering celebrities like Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Beyoncé have all rocked Le Specs, you‘ll be in very chic company.
The only semi-downside is that Le Specs doesn‘t offer free shipping/returns like some competitors (there‘s a $50 minimum for free standard shipping). However, the 60-day return policy is very generous and as long as you‘re somewhat careful when ordering, exchanges are easy.
All in all, if you‘re looking for unique, high-quality, and affordable sunglasses to add some personality to your look, we highly recommend giving Le Specs a try. With so many covetable styles and colors to choose from at amazing price points, they‘re the perfect addition to your summer style arsenal. Snag a pair of the LastLolita, Air Heart, or Bandwagon shades – your eyes (and wallet) will thank you!
