Are Designer Sunglasses Worth the Price? (opens in new tab)

Rational arguments against the purchasing of veblen goods - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veblen_good - don't hold much weight. Being "worth the price" doesn't entirely mean how good they are glasses but how good they are as fashion items too, a point this article totally misses.

Disclaimer: Wearer of Benetton glasses that I know are mass produced and overpriced when classified merely as glasses.

Questionable assertions about overpricing (as petercooper discusses) aside, this article is interesting if only to demonstrate the vertical integration of Luxicotta. FTA: "The eye doctor telling you that you need a new pair of glasses, the sales people helping you choose them and the people who design and make the glasses all work for the same company. "

That sounds like an enviable position for lots of companies. At the same time, it provides insight into current internet heavy hitters' strategies. For example, Google's fiber networks and internet tools (Chrome, JS libraries, etc) are probably all designed to improve the efficiency of their cash cow (search).

I've worn various Oakley sunglasses for years paying $100-$200 each. I usually keep them 3-5 years before they get too beat up to keep wearing. I've tried switching, but I haven't found any optics that I liked as much. I guess it could be a mental thing...dunno.

One thing the article didn't touch on was comfort. I hated wearing sunglasses until I bought Oakley Zeros years and years ago. They were so light you could forget they were on.

The next time I need glasses I'll go out and try to find some cheaper ones that fit my criteria instead of being lazy and just picking up another pair of Oakleys :)

It's worth it if you're willing to spend the extra money to not see too many other people wearing the same glasses.

How is this Hacker News?