Italy is second to none when it comes to luxury fashion. From apparel to footwear and accessories, Italian brands are often associated with being the absolute best that money can buy. Eyewears aren’t an exception.
If you’re looking for a good pair, check out these 10 Italian glasses brands. These names are the ones that have defined the term “designer glasses”. With them, you can freely express your personal aesthetic in style!
Top 10 Best Italian Glasses Brands to Show Off Your Style
1. Luxottica (1961)
Luxottica is the most famous eyewear manufacturer in Italy. Not only so, but it is also the most popular eyewear brand in the world with over 700 retail outlets around the world.
The company produces eyewear in a variety of styles, at different price points, and for all ages and kinds of people. So, no matter what your preferences are, you’ll find something that you love in Luxottica’s massive catalog, which contains prescription glasses, sunglasses, all the way to reading glasses.
Aside from frames, Luxottica also has a near-monopoly on lenses. 80% of all the lenses sold in the world are made by Luxottica. This easily makes it the top Italian eyewear brand on this list.
Luxottica was founded in 1961 by Leonardo Del Vecchio in the commune of Agordo of Belluno province, Italy.
2. Persol (1917)
Founded in 1917 by Giuseppe Ratti, Persol is an eyewear brand that is known for their many innovations. For example, it is one of the first brands to introduce spring hinges.
Not just spring hinges, the company also made glare-reducing spectacles for pilots and work goggles that are used by NASA. Their history is a testament to their commitment to pursuing the cutting edge of eyewear-making.
At first, most of Persol’s customers were pilots and racetrack drivers. Now, Persol-branded eyewears can be found anywhere, worn by anyone. It further helps that Persol’s glasses are very stylish and refined-looking.
Each pair is handmade, so every pair is different from the next. The materials used in the manufacturing process are often high-quality, so you can expect every frame to last a long time.
3. BLACKFIN (1971)
Though it is not nearly as large or influential as Luxottica, BLACKFIN is still up there as one of the greatest. The engineering of their glasses are superb as the company uses titanium in its frames. It allows their glasses to have many qualities that are superior to their competitors: lighter weight, greater durability, and better comfort.
Build quality of each BLACKFIN pair is consistent and always great. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a finished pair of BLACKFIN glasses that aren’t built well.
But the best thing about this brand is the fact that they’re very proud of their Italian heritage. All of the models they offer represent Italy in some way, be it the country’s art, culture, or history. And of course, every pair is made in Italy.
BLACKFIN’s storage began in Agordo, Belluno, Italy. The company’s founder is Maria Pramaor.
4. TAVAT (2010)
TAVAT is a company that is known in the industry for its unique hinges. They give each pair of TAVAT glasses not just greater durability, but also a more luxurious and elegant look overall.
This isn’t the only part of the glasses that TAVAT had innovated. You will find many kinds of exotic and edgy (but no less classy) frames in their catalog. If you’re looking for lenses, TAVAT produces many special types of optical lenses, too.
Despite being a fairly young company, TAVAT already has an extensive collection of designs and a great reputation among consumers. The company was just founded in 2010 by Jeremy Baines.
5. Trussardi (1911)
Trussardi isn’t a name that people often associate with eyewear. Rather, the company is better known for its lines of designer clothes. Don’t let that put you off, though. The quality of Trussardi’s eyewears are just as great as brands like Luxottica and Persol.
Trussardi was founded in 1911 by Dante Trussardi as a luxury leather gloves manufacturer. The company has long since expanded its repertoire and now offers apparels as well as accessories, among which are designer glasses.
Many of the company’s frames lean toward having a classic, vintage look. However, there’s no shortage of modern designs, either, if you like a more contemporary look.
Despite the steep price tags, Trussardi is going to be a good choice if you have a sizable budget to spare and would like a taste of luxury!
6. L.G.R (2007)
L.G.R – or Luca Gnecchi Ruscone – is the brand to go for if you have a soft spot for handmade eyeglasses. L.G.R is an excellent representative for Italy and its artisan culture. Every frame that comes out of their workshop is handmade.
Because of this, you can expect L.G.R’s frames to have outstanding quality. Holding a sample frame in your hands, you can easily feel the spirit of Italian craftsmanship.
Though L.G.R is a brand that leans more toward traditions, it continues to innovate its products. It is how the young company – founded just in 2007 by Luca Gnecchi Ruscone – has formed a loyal customer base for itself and captured a significant portion of the eyewear market.
7. Hapter (2013)
Ruggedness is the name of the game for Hapter, which was founded in 2013 in Belluno, Italy. Its products are inspired by military goggles worn by Italian soldiers in World War II. But if you’re expecting blocky, ugly glasses, you’d be glad to learn that it’s not the case.
Though they are built to be as tough as possible, Hapter’s glasses are still stylish. Aside from having some truly beautiful frame designs, their eyepieces are made from high-quality metals, rubber, and occasionally fabric. You can definitely embolden your personal style with their glasses.
The company doesn’t follow trends set by other companies. Instead, it sets up its own. You’ll love them if you want a unique pair of glasses that only you own.
8. Lightbird (2019)
Lightbird – like many Italian companies – is proud of its heritage. The company does everything in Italy from designing to manufacturing and distribution.
In addition to having a rich tradition, Lightbird employs only veteran artisans to build its glasses. Every worker at Lightbird has more than 30 years of experience at the trade. Thus, they can turn out some truly amazing designs that you simply can’t find elsewhere.
Their collections are stylish, comfortable, and modern. Lightbird also innovates the materials and techniques that it uses quite often. It gives their glasses a great reputation for durability and quality.
It’s a fairly new company, having only been founded in 2019 by Corrado Rosson.
9. Gucci (1921)
Like Trussardi, Gucci isn’t a name that many people would think of when it comes to glasses. It doesn’t stop the brand from being one of the top Italian eyewear brands, though.
Other than its opulence style and the strength of its brand image, the best part about Gucci is its seasonal sunglasses collections. You can switch up your frames every couple of months to constantly refresh your look.
Stylish, but no less durable, each pair will last for quite a while. So, don’t be afraid to invest in a pair if you love their look. You can wear the same piece for years on end!
10. Salice (1919)
If you live your life on the move and regularly engage in active sports, Salice is a brand that is worth taking into consideration. The brand focuses on producing goggles and glasses for athletes, which means they are highly durable. They can also keep your vision clear no matter what sport you are playing or what you are doing.
Riding? Check. Hunting? Check. Sailing? Check. You’ll find something that you love in their catalog.
Salice was founded in 1919 on the shores of Lake Cosmo in Italy’s Lombardy region.
Final Words
A good pair of glasses can be just as great a fashion statement as a luxury pair of shoes or apparels styled from the latest trends. You can count on these 10 Italian brands of glasses to give your personal image the boost that it needs to stand out from the rest of the crowd!
Which brand is your favorite? Have you ever worn a piece from one of them before? Tell us about it in the comment!