The MOST OVERRATED Glasses Brands (And the most underrated too)

Perception is everything, and so here are 3 of the brands that tend to be perceived as a lot better than they actually are.

But on a positive note, we're also showcasing 3 brands which are completely underrated! And you might be surprised at what you see.

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[thespectaclefactory]

What do you think of my choices?? Really interested to hear your thoughts... there's been some awesome debates so far. Let me know 👇

[happycanadianguy]

I really like the set up of your entire video. You dress in simple clothing, your voice is very calming, you don't speak too quickly or too slowly, theres just the perfect amount of echo in the room, no distractions. It feels like it's just you and me in a consultation.

[spektrograf]

I wear a few Lindbergs and had no idea about their perception or status in the industry. To be honest, I have little knowledge of brands in the space in general. I do love them, but I really appreciate you offering some alternatives. I've opened a bunch of tabs to check them out.

Love your videos and thanks for taking the time to make them!

[raymondding]

Thanks for the great video Rob. It's always refreshing to see someone who actually knows what the words underrated and overrated mean, since for much of the internet nowadays overrated = bad and anything decent is automatically underrated. I thought it was interesting to see the correlation in your picks between a brand's "rating" and their exclusivity. OP being a lux brand is obviously everywhere but at the start of my eyewear journey I was a bit surprised to see just how easy it was to get hold of Dita glasses, not only are they stocked by seemingly every eyewear store but also in department stores like Selfridges sitting alongside the common fashion brands, usually next to Dolce and Gabbana if it's in alphabetical order :) And Lindberg as well, for the prestige of the brand they are available in most eyewear shops - one thing that I thought was quite funny was a couple of months ago I drove past an independent eyewear retailer in Manchester with a poster on their window advertising something like 50% off clearance Lindberg frames which is unthinkable really for this tier of frame. Something must be going very wrong over there and it would be interesting to get an inside view on how much control Kering has over operations these days since the acquisition.

Having said that although I agree with your choices I don't necessarily agree with the reasoning. Dita in my mind are overrated because of their popularity and their garbage customer service. Whenever someone on an eyewear forum asks for recommendations for a high quality eyewear brand Dita seems to be the go-to answer and that's the overrated part for me. I don't care that they are derivative because I think they offer a vastly wider selection than Cazal and as a result they do both the low-key look and the edgier look better than Cazal. An extremely underrated aspect of the Dita brand is that since they have so many frame models it's possible to really nail down the details of what you want, take for example the standard Flight Seven aviator, off the top of my head there is also the Midnight Special and the Alkamx which are more or less the same frame but with minor differences in terms of curvature, temple design etc. Gives the customer a level of choice that is beyond anything I've seen from any other brand.

FWIW I figured it would be interesting to share some overrated/underrated picks of my own and any thoughts you have would be greatly appreciated!

Overrated
- Ray Ban, without doubt THE most overrated brand by a country mile since they stand alone in terms of mass market appeal where the mass market genuinely believes that they are the best quality eyewear brand.
- Masunaga, carries a godly reputation in the Asian market in particular which carries over into whatever places stock them in the UK/US but their designs haven't really progressed with the times and I personally find them extremely boring with a severe lack of choice. For someone who prefers an oversized look for example, they have nothing. They are actually one of my favourite brands simply because of their background and prestige in my homeland yet I don't own a single pair.
- Maui Jim, bang average frames with top-tier lenses. Their reputation is built upon wiping the floor with the likes of Ray Ban in the non-prescription market yet for a sizeable portion of users who want prescription sunglasses, their prices skyrocket into the luxury tier where they don't really belong.

Underrated
- Randolph Engineering, I've never actually seen one myself but everything I have read/seen/heard suggests that their build quality is really good, they use high quality materials like 23k gold plated titanium, they are cheaper than Maui Jim, yet they are frequently compared alongside your bog standard Luxottica brands like Ray Ban and Persol.
- a whole bunch of other Japanese brands manufactured in Fukui/Sabae. There are loads. Every now and again I come across another brand that I've never heard of. It is my dream to take like £10k or so on a trip there and go on a shopping spree xD

[i.o.]

Well, one thing I respect DITA for is their exceptional feel of the edge, if I may put it this way. Cazals, that were featured here is unwearable for most people. Yes, Snoop Dog would pull them off, but not many others. DITA, on the other hand, they're quite bold in design but still I can wear them. Combined with nice details like their nose-pads and colourways, what more could you ask for?

[robertolira]

Great Video Robert. For someone like me that was recently introduce to Lindberg I purchased 2 frames. Although I love them, but maybe pushed into them because my local opticians does not have a great selection. And how they can justify to charge £530 for a frame is beyond me. One does not have to buy of course. Everything you say in this video is 100% true. If I may, I would go as far to say that you are doing a great service to the Industry. You are the pinnacle and one of the important reference for anyone looking to extend their knowledge in eye wear . Your great advice has helped me enormously. I cannot recommend you enough to all my media contacts. Thank for continuing with your great work.

[alihaider]

Moscot might tread the line of being overrated because what they charge for basically a frame made in china

[Romir]

I am a newly licensed optician out here in the US, and I've been working at the same company I've been with for the past few years. I stumbled upon your videos trying to learn about transition lenses, and I've gone the rabbit hole in your channel. You have taught me so much in such a small amount of time, and are opening my eyes to the possibility of what is out there in the optical industry. I am this 🤏 close to buying my first JF Rey in Rx. Thank you so much, and please keep up the amazing work you are doing.

Edit: some spelling

[jasonnguyen]

I love both Dita and Cazal, but the design of Dita is more for my taste.

[Alexandros]

Thank you 🙏 you are doing great work !! What’s your opinion about Akoni eyewear?

[tc]

I always enjoy your opinion on things because the ideas are so well expressed and presented! I can’t say I agree with most of the opinions, especially concerning DITA, but they are interesting opinions nevertheless. For instance the idea that DITA is derivative of Cazal. Isn’t all eyewear designs derivative or influenced by something that came previously? Certainly so. DITA is influenced by Cazal as many brands are influenced by the very creative Cari Zalloni, but that’s like saying all sunglasses are derivative from the very first ones including the first aviators. If that’s the view, then 99.99% of eyewear is derivative, led by brands such as Barton Perreira, Garrett Leight and that ilk.

Unlike most brands, DITA has a reason for this influence; they actually teamed up with Cazal in 2007/2008 to collab on the re-release of the 902s. I don’t think many remember this point. They then took the influence from that collaboration and shaped it in their own direction. The Grandmaster and Grand Evo series are amazing and show their own distinct design language while also merging their love of Cazal. I don’t think many eyewear aficionados will mistake the DITA design language from Cazal’s.

It would be a long discussion regarding the quality of DITA’s acetate models compared to other acetate eyewear in the industry, since DITA’s acetate models vary wildly. However, DITA’s at the top of their game when it comes to titanium; their investment in their own factory and move to be more vertically integrated just makes them even more respectable. I wear titanium models from DITA, JMM, Matsuda, Chrome Hearts, Cartier and many other brands as part of my rotation on a regular basis, and DITA’s always has my preference. Sure, there are a handful of pairs that are highly overrated such as the Flight 006, but there are many others that are of superior quality such as the Lindstrum and United.

[DerekBradPhotography]

As always thank you. Love your honesty. I’ve learned so much about eyewear from this channel and definitely want to build my collection.

*can you also do a video on best ways to store eyewear collection?

[Maggie]

I absolutely love my Lindbergs but I do agree with you too. It was my first pair and the quality was the best of the best at the time (10 years ago) but lacks variety if you’re after something different. Would you ever review or comment on Theo’s?

[djmaxtrim]

Knew Lucas de Staël is most underrated! Really hope can get myself a pair but is a bit too pricey for me and is technically IMPOSSIBLE to get in Malaysia, but damn they really looks super great!

[Rimorox]

Thanks to you I have two JF Rey frames that I love! My main one is the 2899 and I love it! So sturdy compared to anything else I’ve owned, took some adjustment to get comfortable but they’re great!

[apothecy]

Matsuda is GOD tier. Should make a video about them. Reykjavik Eyes level of quality.

[jameswashington]

Always fun watching your take 😎 I agree with your picks, Walter and Herbert ❤️
Can't wait to see the Lucas workshop video
Keep up the great work!
Exponential growth indeed 😎

[HANDLE]

Lucas de Stael really interests me but you dont have them on your site. maybe make a video on the stock you have?

[texaslyoness]

I would love to see a video on the recommended frames for brides. Some cannot wear contacts and it is very difficult to find a feminine formal pair of glasses that go with the bride and/or formal aesthetic.

[sallion]

I’d love to know your thoughts on chrome hearts as you’ve put some lenses/repaired mine!