The Australian label Banbé creates runway-ready sunglasses, without the runway price tag!
Their collection mixes Australian coastal fashion with contemporary street style. Now, they’re starting to make a splash in the U.S. as well.
The Banbé sunglasses collection features everything from chunky statement silhouettes to ’90s-inspired ovals. Further down, you can learn about five of their most popular frames that help explain all the buzz they’ve been generating.
At-a-Glance Summary
This article discusses the brand Banbé and goes through five of their popular frames. It also discusses the brand’s history and how they grew in popularity.
| Key Fact | Details |
| Products reviewed | 5 pairs of Banbé sunglasses |
| Brands featured | Banbé |
| Styles covered | Oversized, oval, aviator, cat-eye |
| Best for | Everyday wear |
| Frame materials | Acetate and Metal |
| Price range | $70-$100 |
What Is Banbé Eyewear?
Banbé started in Sydney in 2021, and it expanded internationally two years later with a distribution center in Los Angeles. Right now, they’re showing up all over Instagram on influencers. The prices might surprise you, though. At the time of writing, most are priced between $70 and $100.
Banbé is definitely targeted towards women, but some frames could double as unisex. They don’t have a huge collection, but it’s updated frequently, and they have a diverse collection of frame shapes.
Part of Banbé’s rapid growth has come through word of mouth and social media. The brand has also started gaining attention among celebrities, including it-girl Anya Taylor-Joy. She was spotted in The Rodrigo sunglasses.
What Makes Banbé Sunglasses Stand Out?
Banbé uses plant-based bio-acetate instead of normal plastic made from petroleum. Bio-acetate is derived from natural cellulose fibers. It gives the frames a substantial feel as well as a glossy finish that really makes them feel like top-of-the-line designer sunglasses.
For their metal frames, they use high-quality copper alloys. And every pair comes with a vegan leather case and matching cleaning cloth.
All their sunglasses have scratch-resistant, Category 3 lenses with UV400 protection since they’re designed to contend with the Australian sun. A lot of their frames are also prescription-ready. You can just take them to an optician and have the lenses swapped out.
5 Banbé Sunglasses Worth Checking Out
Here are the five frames I’ve hand-picked from their current catalog. These sunglasses demonstrate how versatile and on-trend the brand is.
The Robinson
I chose The Robinson because of the way the frames capture Banbé’s confidence. The oversized navigator silhouette has a dramatic flat-top brow line, thick acetate build, and deep rounded lenses.
The Dark Cacao frames with the warmer polarized Toffee lenses make for a more interesting choice than classic black. The Robinson is a good fit for someone looking for statement sunglasses that don’t feel so over-the-top they don’t also work for casual wear.
Measurements:
Lens Height: 5.92cm | Width: 14cm | Arm Length: 14.5cm | Nose Bridge: 1.7cm
The Rodrigo
If The Robinson is Banbé’s bold statement piece, The Rodrigo is its everyday counterpart. This slim oval frame takes inspiration from the minimalist ’90s look that’s made a big resurgence in recent years.
The all-black colorway keeps things understated. But you can also get them in Toffee Tort-Chocolate, which is a sort of toned-down tortoiseshell. Or, you can choose Coffee for an earthy shade.
The gold hardware on the temples adds just the perfect amount of contrast without doing too much. The Rodrigo is an easy pair to wear day after day. The sunglasses would suit anyone looking for a pair that leans more timeless than trend-driven.
Other Colors:
- Toffee Tort-Chocolate
- Coffee-Coffee
Measurements:
Lens Height: 3cm | Width: 10.4cm | Arm Length: 14cm | Nose Bridge: 1.9cm
The Sampaio
These sunglasses show a different side of Banbé. Instead of chunky acetate, they feature a lightweight gold metal frame with round olive-green lenses. These sunglasses feel more vintage than contemporary. They’re also a lot lighter than some of the acetate frames in the collection.
Measurements:
Lens Height: 3.8cm | Width: 12.8cm | Arm Length: 14cm | Nose Bridge: 2.1cm
The Harley
Banbé’s Harley sunglasses borrow from the classic aviator silhouette but give it an update. Instead of a wire frame, they have an acetate front with gold temples and a distinctive double-bridge.
The Cacao Tort-Peach pits tortoiseshell acetate with lightly tinted peach lenses. Those who prefer a darker look can go for Dark Cacao-Espresso. These sunglasses are great if you like oversized sunglasses but want something a little more refined.
Other Colors:
- Dark Cacao-Espresso
Measurements:
Lens Height: 6.1cm | Width: 14.6cm | Arm Length: 14.8cm | Nose Bridge: 1.6cm
The Demi
If you’re looking for cat-eye sunglasses, The Demi could be for you. The Demi is a cat-eye frame that keeps the upswept silhouette fairly subtle. It creates a modern look that’s easy to either dress up or down.
The sculpted acetate frame gives definition around the eyes, and the Dark Cacao frame goes so naturally with the warm Espresso lenses. If you prefer more of a classic look, you can also get them with black lenses on black frames
The Demi is for anyone who likes timeless styles with more personality than a square or round frame.
Measurements:
Lens Height: 4.7cm | Width: 13.9cm | Arm Length: 14.5cm | Nose Bridge: 1.8cm
FAQs
Are Banbé sunglasses good?
Yes, Banbé sunglasses are generally considered a good choice if you’re looking for fashion-forward sunglasses that offer 100% UVA and UVB protection. At their price, they fall into the affordable-to-mid-range fashion eyewear category.
Are Banbé sunglasses polarized?
Yes, all Banbé sunglasses have Category 3 polarized lenses.
Are there similar options to Banbé to try out?
If the Banbé sunglasses aren’t quite right for you, there are many other good options to try out. The Ralph RA5293 VVCV
is a popular and stylish polarized option with 100% UVA and UVB protection. These Vogue sunglasses are similar to Banbé’s gold metal shades.
TL;DR
- Banbé is a Sydney-based brand founded in 2021. It creates designs that have been trending online with premium materials, at prices around $70–$100.
- The frames are made from plant-based bio-acetate or quality metal. They all have scratch-resistant, Category 3 polarized lenses that give 100% UV protection.
- The range features oversized acetate frames, slim ’90s-inspired styles, and aviators, so there are styles to suit every face shape.
- Each pair of glasses comes with a vegan leather case and a cleaning cloth.
- Some frames are prescription-ready, meaning you can bring them to an optometrist to have the lenses swapped out with your prescription.
- Banbé glasses have been spotted on numerous influencers and on celebrities like Anya Taylor-Joy.
