Sunnies Studios Review: Stylish and Affordable Eyewear for All
About Sunnies Studios
Sunnies Studios is a trendy eyewear brand that has quickly made a name for itself with its chic and affordable sunglasses and prescription frames. Founded in 2013 in the Philippines, Sunnies has grown to become one of the most popular and influential eyewear brands in Asia.
The Sunnies story began in 2011 when founders Eric Dee and Bea Soriano-Dee launched a small retail brand called Charlie that sold clothing, shoes and accessories. After a couple successful years, they brought on Georgina Wilson as marketing director in 2013 and rebranded the company to focus exclusively on eyewear under the new name Sunnies Studios.
This pivot proved to be a smart move, as Sunnies quickly gained a devoted following. By 2016, just three years after launching, Sunnies became the third most-followed retail brand on Instagram in the Philippines. That same year, they expanded their product line to include prescription eyeglasses in addition to sunglasses.
Today, Sunnies Studios has over 127 retail stores across the Philippines and Vietnam and a thriving e-commerce operation that ships worldwide. The brand has been featured in major media outlets like CNN and Hypebae and boasts an impressive 373,000 followers on Instagram.
So what‘s the secret to Sunnies‘ rapid rise and devoted customer base? It comes down to their spot-on combination of style, quality and accessible prices. Let‘s take a closer look at what makes Sunnies stand out in the competitive eyewear market.
Sunnies Studios Mission and Values
At the core of the Sunnies brand is a commitment to making high-quality, stylish eyewear accessible to everyone. As their slogan states, they believe there‘s "one for everyone whether it‘s for staying in or going out."
Sunnies prices most of their sunglasses at $25 and prescription eyeglasses at $60, which is extremely reasonable compared to the high markups of many designer eyewear brands. But affordable doesn‘t mean cheap when it comes to Sunnies.
All of their glasses are designed in-house by their team in Manila and crafted with high-quality materials like scratch-resistant polycarbonate and stainless steel. Sunnies is dedicated to the idea that great design and craftsmanship shouldn‘t be limited to luxury brands with exclusive price tags.
In addition to inclusivity, Sunnies also values creativity, optimism and self-expression. Their brand is very personality-driven and they view eyewear as more than just a functional necessity, but a fun fashion accessory and form of self-expression. With their wide range of frame styles from classic to trendy to quirky, they encourage customers to experiment with their look and find eyewear that feels authentic to their personal style.
As Sunnies co-founder Eric Dee told Mega Magazine, "We want to be a brand that is inclusive, empowering and optimistic—creating eyewear that hopefully inspires the consumers to be the best versions of themselves."
Sunnies Sunglasses Review
Sunglasses are Sunnies‘ bread and butter and the product that first put them on the map. Their sunglasses combine classic silhouettes with modern, of-the-moment details for eyewear that feels both timeless and trendy.
Most Sunnies sunglasses feature polycarbonate lenses with UV400 protection and sturdy polycarbonate frames. Polycarbonate is an extremely durable, lightweight and shatter-resistant plastic material that is commonly used in performance eyewear. All Sunnies sunglasses have a three-barrel hinge design for added sturdiness.
While Sunnies unfortunately doesn‘t offer polarized lens options at this time, their lenses do provide full UV protection against both UVA and UVB rays. The lenses also have an anti-scratch coating for added durability.
One of Sunnies‘ all-time bestselling sunglasses is the Jarvis frame. This unisex style features a slightly angular rectangular lens shape and a contemporary brow bar design. The style is available in three different colorways ranging from traditional black to a trendy cream as well as a dark mosaic finish.
The angular rectangle silhouette of the Jarvis evokes nostalgic Y2K vibes, yet the shiny finish and stainless steel detailing on the brow bar and temples keep the style looking modern and refined. Reviewers rave that the Jarvis is super versatile, flattering on a variety of face shapes, and looks more expensive than its $25 price tag.
Another hugely popular style is the Chiara sunglasses, an oversized aviator frame that makes a bold statement. The Chiara is available in traditional silver/black as well as more unique colorways like rose gold and a striking blue/orange combo.
The Chiara offers a modern take on the classic teardrop aviator shape with its exaggerated silhouette, flat lenses and sleek metal frame. Reviewers love the cool oversized look of this style and say it‘s perfect for adding instant glamour to any outfit.
In addition to these classics, Sunnies releases frequent limited-edition collections and collaborations to keep their assortment fresh and current. Past collaborations have included influencer Bea Marin and fashion brand Stussy. These special edition styles often introduce more playful frame shapes and eye-catching colorways to shake up Sunnies‘ core collection.
Overall, Sunnies sunglasses deliver great style, quality and value. Their under-$50 price point makes it easy to build a sunglasses wardrobe with multiple styles for different looks and occasions. While some may prefer polarized lenses, Sunnies still offers solid UV protection and durability for the price.
Sunnies Prescription Eyeglasses Review
In 2016, Sunnies expanded their product line to include prescription eyeglasses in response to customer demand. Their prescription glasses are available at a flat price of $60 including single focus lenses and range in style from classic round and rectangular shapes to more contemporary geometric designs.
One of the standout styles in Sunnies‘ prescription eyewear collection is the Oswalt Anchor, a unisex frame that takes cues from the trendy "grandpa glasses" silhouette. The Oswalt Anchor has a rounded lens shape with slightly angular detailing and a prominent bridge, giving it an intellectual, vintage-inspired look.
The frame is crafted from polycarbonate and has a shiny black finish along with shell detailing on the hinges, so it‘s sturdy and comfortable for all-day wear. The Oswalt Anchor is a versatile style that would look right at home at the office, at school, or out on the weekend.
Another popular prescription style is the Meryl, a chic cat-eye design for women. The Meryl features a bold brow bar and sleek metal temples for an effortlessly elegant look. The Meryl proves that prescription glasses can be just as much of a fashion statement as sunglasses.
All Sunnies prescription glasses are fitted with slim polycarbonate lenses which provide UV400 protection, just like their sunglasses lenses. Customers can also upgrade to higher index lens materials for an added cost if they have a stronger prescription. Sunnies offers single focus, Bifocal or Progressive lenses.
For those concerned about ordering prescription glasses online, Sunnies offers a few helpful tools. First, they have a virtual try-on feature on their website that allows you to upload a photo and see how different frames will look on your face. They also provide detailed measurement guides to help you pick the right size frame.
Sunnies also offers free worldwide shipping on all prescription eyeglasses orders and they‘ll do a first-time remakes your prescription changes within 30 days.
One potential downside of Sunnies‘ prescription glasses is that they do not offer a try-at-home program like some other online glasses retailers do, so you can‘t test out frames in person before committing to a pair. Additionally, their frames come in medium and wide sizes only, so those with very narrow faces may have a harder time finding their perfect fit.
Overall though, Sunnies prescription glasses are a stylish and affordable option, especially for those who don‘t want to sacrifice fashion for function with their everyday eyewear. The $60 price tag is extremely competitive and the free worldwide shipping is a major plus.
Additional Sunnies Products
In addition to sunglasses and prescription eyeglasses, Sunnies offers a few other eyewear products:
Blue Light Blocking Glasses: In 2020, Sunnies released their "Anti-Rad" collection of blue light blocking glasses in response to the increase in screen time due to the pandemic. These glasses are designed to reduce eye strain and potential damage from prolonged exposure to the blue light emitted from digital screens.
The Anti-Rad collection includes three unisex frame styles that are fitted with blue light blocking lenses. The lenses block out a portion of the blue light spectrum while still allowing some to pass through so as not to distort color perception.
While blue light glasses have become very popular in recent years, the actual science behind their efficacy is still inconclusive. Regardless, those who spend a lot of time working at a computer and struggle with eye strain or headaches may find them helpful.
Replacement Nose Pads: Sunnies sells adhesive silicone nose pads that are compatible with any of their metal or combination frame sunglasses or eyeglasses. These ultra-soft clear nose pads are hypoallergenic and designed to provide a more comfortable, slip-free fit. They come in a pack of three pairs for $5.
Eyewear Care Kit: Sunnies offers a handy Eyewear Care Kit that includes a microfiber cleaning cloth, lens cleansing spray and repair kit with spare nose pads, screws and a tiny screwdriver. The kit comes in a compact travel size that‘s perfect for throwing in your work bag or carry-on.
Sunnies Customer Reviews and Reputation
As I mentioned earlier in this Sunnies review, the brand has a very engaged social media following, particularly on Instagram where they have over 373,000 followers. They frequently repost customer photos in their Stories and use their platform to create hype around new launches.
However, when it comes to online reviews, there are surprisingly very few to be found. Sunnies‘ brand website has just 14 reviews total and they are all five-star, glowingly positive reviews. While these reviews do seem authentic, the low volume of reviews raises some questions.
It‘s a similar story on external online review sites – just a handful of reviews but they are generally positive. Some praise the brand for offering trendy, well-made frames at a great price, while a few others complain about sub-par experiences at Sunnies‘ retail stores.
Why Sunnies doesn‘t have more online reviews, I‘m not totally sure. It may be that they simply don‘t very actively solicit post-purchase reviews from customers like some brands do. They also do the bulk of their sales internationally, and customers in the Philippines and Asia may leave reviews on other platforms I‘m not as familiar with.
Despite the lack of online reviews, I get the sense that Sunnies has built up a lot of positive brand equity through their strong social media community, retail presence and press mentions. No news seems to be good news in this case – I didn‘t uncover any prevailing customer concerns or red flags.
To provide extra peace of mind, Sunnies does offer a one-year manufacturer warranty on their glasses that covers defects, as well as a 30-day return policy (though you do have to pay return shipping unless you exchange for another product).
How Does Sunnies Compare to Other Eyewear Brands?
Sunnies‘ $25 sunglasses and $60 prescription eyeglasses put them on the more affordable end of the eyewear spectrum, in line with fast-fashion brands like ASOS and Urban Outfitters.
Compared to these other affordable brands, I would say Sunnies has an edge when it comes to style and material quality. Sunnies frames look more elegant and expensive than their fast-fashion counterparts and they use higher-quality polycarbonate lenses.
On the other hand, brands like Warby Parker, Zenni and EyeBuyDirect offer prescription eyeglasses starting around $75-100 that are a step up from Sunnies in terms of available lens and customization options (like blue light filtering, light-responsive lenses and more frame sizes).
When you get into the $100-200 range, direct-to-consumer brands like Felix Gray and Raen offer more premium frame materials like cellulose acetate and their lenses may be more advanced in terms of coatings and polarization options.
And of course, getting into designer brands like Ray-Ban, Prada or Celine, you‘re looking at $150 on the low end and up to $500+ for premium frames with advanced lens tech and luxury branding.
The closest direct comparison I would make is between Sunnies and the Australian eyewear brand Quay. Like Sunnies, Quay is known for their trendy, affordable sunglasses and blue light glasses that are a hit with millennial and Gen Z shoppers. Quay‘s sunglasses hover around $50-80, a bit pricier than Sunnies, but Quay also offers polarized options.
All in all, I think Sunnies hits a sweet spot between style, quality and price that is hard to find. For fashion-forward shoppers on a budget who are OK without certain premium features like polarization, Sunnies is a fantastic value.
Bottom Line: Are Sunnies Sunglasses and Eyeglasses Worth It?
After diving deep into the Sunnies brand for this review, I can confidently say that their sunglasses and eyeglasses are a worthwhile purchase for anyone seeking stylish, well-made eyewear that won‘t break the bank.
While Sunnies may not have the name recognition or premium features of more established eyewear brands, they hold their own when it comes to durability, craftsmanship, and of course, style. It‘s rare to find under-$100 sunglasses and glasses that look this elevated and incorporate quality materials like polycarbonate and stainless steel.
The limited consumer reviews available give me some pause, but Sunnies‘ thriving social media community, glowing press mentions and generous return policies offer reassurance about the quality and customer experience.
I‘m also a fan of the brand‘s values and appreciate that they use their platform to celebrate individuality and promote face-positivity. Sunnies‘ inclusive messaging and commitment to making great design accessible to all is refreshing in an industry that often feels pretentious and exclusionary.
At the end of the day, I think Sunnies is an excellent choice for anyone who geeks out on fun eyewear trends and wants to experiment with their look without investing in super high-end designer frames. Their frames are well-priced for the quality and give you a lot of bang for your buck.
So whether you‘re looking for a new pair of everyday sunnies, some blue light glasses for the office or a stylish pair of prescription frames, Sunnies is definitely worth checking out. With their great style, quality and customer-first policies, they‘ve earned their status as one of the buzziest eyewear brands out there right now.
