When you buy brand-name eyeglasses or sunglasses, you expect to get the authentic item. Be aware that there are millions of counterfeit products out there — fake goods with a familiar brand name or logo that look like the real thing.
Counterfeits are illegal. If you want to make sure your designer frames are the real thing, buy them from an authorized online retailer such as FramesDirect.
Yes. FramesDirect is an authorized retailer of all the brands of eyewear we carry. This means we get the glasses directly from the manufacturer. All of our designer eyewear brands are guaranteed to be 100% authentic.
If you don’t buy a designer brand of glasses or sunglasses from an authorized merchant, it can be hard to tell if they are authentic. The following are answers to some frequently asked questions to keep in mind to help make sure you get what you paid for.
Yes. Do some research to see how much the glasses or sunglasses you want cost on the brand’s and authorized sellers’ websites so you’ll know how much you should expect to pay. The prices for designer frames should be about the same among all verified retailers. If the price seems too good to be true, the item may be a fake.
One exception is if you find pre-owned glasses on reselling apps and websites, at a garage or estate sale, or at a discount department store. In these cases, authentic designer glasses and sunglasses often cost less than a new pair.
The lettering, logos, manufacturer, and barcode on the box should match what’s on the informational brochure and the glasses or sunglasses.
Model number, color, lens and frame size measurements, and manufacturing country should all be printed on the inside of the temple, which is the long, skinny part of the eyeglasses that is attached to the hinge and sits behind your ears. There shouldn’t be any typos or misspelled words on the packaging or glasses.
For example, you can check the authenticity of a pair of Oakley frames by checking the following:
The type of case is another way to make sure your glasses or sunglasses aren’t fakes. Take a look at the manufacturer’s website to see what the case should look like.
For example, if you buy a pair of Gucci sunglasses, the case sits inside the retail box. The Gucci logo should be written on the front of the case, and the stitching on the case’s fabric should be spaced evenly.
Real Prada sunglasses come with a black microfiber cloth and the Prada logo is centered on the case. The lettering is evenly spaced and straight.
Inspecting the frames can also help you spot a fake pair of luxury sunglasses. Authentic frames made from high-quality material should feel comfortable and balanced when you wear them. They should not have any scratches or imperfections.
Fake Ray-Ban frames made with plastic can feel lighter than the real ones. Counterfeit Ray-Bans with metal frames may feel heavier than the authentic ones. You should also look at your frames from the top to make sure they are symmetrical.
Additionally, the hinges on real designer sunglasses that attach the temples to the front of the frame should be solid and easy to open and close. They also shouldn’t be too tight or loose.
Not necessarily. Many designer sunglasses are produced in China. If you bought your glasses from an authorized retailer and see “Made in China” printed on the frames, they are authentic.
If you ever have a question about the authenticity of a product, call Customer Service at 1-800-248-9427 or use our online form to contact us.
If you receive an item that arrived damaged or that’s incorrect, we will provide a replacement, exchange, or refund. We offer a 30-day return with pre-paid return shipping on exchanges of eyeglasses, sunglasses, and sealed contact lenses.
Learn more about our returns/exchanges policies.