Lacoste Sunglasses: Don’t Even Bother

GQ McGee14 years ago

Recently, GQ magazine released news of Lacoste’s premier venture into the sunglasses game. Known equally by fratstars for their pastel polo shirts and grandfathers for their comfortable cardigans, the brand has now released a line for men with a variety of options, all to be priced between $120 and $150.

While some find themselves impressed, my reaction could not be farther from that. Glancing on the company in and of itself, Lacoste is already in a tricky position. Though the company models itself as an upper class staple, the fact of the matter is that most fraternity members prefer their polo shirts, Lacoste’s cash cow, to come from Brooks Brothers, Vineyard Vines, Southern Proper, Polo, and other such clothiers.

This initial reaction is furthered when one views the actual sunglasses. Unlike the polo game wherein Lacoste has a viable, traditional product, this release is all over the board. Models featured include a Persol-inspired tortoiseshell frame alongside a bastardized version of the classic wireframe Ray-Ban Aviators.

The verdict? Don’t bite like a crocodile. In this day and age, the fratstar’s two mainstay brands are Costa Del-Mar and Ray-Ban. If you desire a frame comparable to the ones featured on GQ, I urge you to check out the Persol 0649 (worn by such eternal badasses as Steve McQueen) and the Ray-Ban Aviator (again, sported by badasses like military pilots.) Both are acceptable substitutes to the previous standards, keeping you timeless while also removing yourself from the masses.

Persol-inspired tortoiseshell frame

bastardized version of the classic wireframe Ray-Ban Aviators