Some glasses are worth the money, and others aren’t. Some brands are all about the hype, the campaigns, the social media gimmicks, while others rely on high-quality designs.
So, which category does Robert Marc Eyewear fall into? Let’s break it down.
What’s the Background of Robert Marc Eyewear
The brand was founded by optician Robert Marc in 1981. He opened his first optometry boutique on Columbus Avenue in New York City, and it quickly gained a reputation for custom, high-end optical care.
In 1999, Robert Marc NYC debuted its first eyeglass collection. The eyewear was inspired by the cool of New York City and the style of French fashion, and it was both contemporary and classic.
Robert Marc Eyewear currently has several stores in NYC and a range of partners worldwide. A couple of their stores also offer eye doctor services, which is ideal for getting your glasses fit before buying.
Along with their own eyewear, Robert Marc also offers a curated collection of eyewear from other top brands. This includes Cartier, Chrome Hearts, Akoni, and more. These brands are available exclusively in-store.
The fact that they create and supply their own line sets them apart from some other recent brands that have no in-store presence and focus solely on the ecommerce experience, such as Goodr.
Does Robert Marc Stand Out From the Crowd?
On their site, they claim their frames are “made by artisans around the world.” However, it’s not really clear where exactly all these artisans are based. After some digging, it appears that at least some of the frames are made in Italy and others in Japan. That’s a good sign, since some of the world’s best eyewear manufacturing is in both countries.
One feature that distinguishes the brand is its signature hinge, which has a distinctive double line and dot motif. It’s inspired by historical design and construction. This little detail adds a touch of luxury to otherwise subtle frames.
Style Over Substance?
Robert Marc’s sunglasses and eyeglasses are suave and chic. There are no flashy neon colors, no fast-fashion TikTok-inspired trends, and no blingy touches. It’s all about timeless frames, which will look as good today as they will in five years.
There’s a variety of colored frames, but I’m talking about transparent red and navy blue rather than hot pink (which makes sense since they’re inspired by the most fashionable city in the world). They’re elegant and feel ‘grown-up.’ There are also a lot of horn-rimmed frames, which give that slightly retro feel without being old-fashioned.
It seems that Robert Marc Eyewear is about substance and style. But the kind of style that isn’t fleeting or feels cheap; rather, they focus on styles that eyewear lovers of all ages can enjoy.
Let’s go through some of my top picks for sunglasses and eyeglasses!
Robert Marc Sunglasses
The brand currently offers around 100 sunglass styles on its site, which is a good variety without being too diluted.
There are women’s and unisex options available. The women’s styles are a bit more feminine and come in small sizes. Most of the styles are cat-eye glasses, which are sultry.
What sets them apart from other brands is their genuine beauty. What do I mean? I’m talking about a sophistication that makes them look fancy. They give off that Upper East Side quiet luxury energy. They pair well with workwear and chic preppy clothes (like J Crew, Burberry, and Ralph Lauren).
The cat-eye sunglasses below, featuring ‘red oak’ frames, showcase the kind of classy designs that put Robert Marc eyewear in the high-end league.
The unisex styles are more neutral, including rectangular, square, aviator, and round frames. They’re perfect for men and women who want dapper frames that work well with summer and winter clothes, from button-downs to wool coats.
The aviators below are a good example of how the brand has put its own spin on the shape, making them different from Ray-Bans. They also come in a variety of colors, including blue lenses.
The lenses are mostly classic colors, including gray, brown, and blue in gradient styles. This adds to that vintage-inspired vibe.
Robert Marc Eyeglasses
The eyeglasses come in styles and shapes similar to those of the sunglasses. There is a wide range of cat-eye, square, and rectangular frames. There’s something for everyone.
While there is a range of colors available, they’re more subdued. Hence, the pink is more of a berry-colored transparent acetate frame rather than an opaque bright frame.
The ‘elderberry’ frame below is a good example of Robert Marc’s low-key style.
There are also a few unisex tortoiseshell and Havana options, perfect for city-dwellers who want effortless frames that go with everything.
The ‘Edit Room’ horn-rimmed glasses below are an example of their dark Havana frames, which have a heritage look (they just look instantly expensive).
The Verdict on Robert Marc Eyewear
With sunglasses and eyeglass frames averaging around $500 to $600, Robert Marc is certainly not cheap. However, they are up there with designer eyewear brands that prioritize high-quality acetate and titanium frames.
They also just look luxe; you can tell they’re not cheap, knock-off glasses at a glance. Reviews on the brand are generally good, with many customers noting the quality feel of the glasses.
However, some reviewers weren’t fans of the in-store experience. You can also order glasses from Robert Marc Eyewear online. Be sure to look through their return and exchange policy before buying.
TL;DR
Robert Marc is a New York-based brand that offers high-quality eyewear. The designs are chic, classic, and look fancy. But are they worth it?
- The brand started in the ‘80s as a boutique optometry store before creating its own collection at the end of the ‘90s.
- They specialize in high-quality sunglasses and eyeglasses with frames crafted in Italy and Japan.
- There’s a range of colors, shapes, and styles, including a broad women’s range featuring plenty of cat-eye frames and dozens of unisex styles with horn-rimmed, square, and aviator frames.
- Overall, they’re not cheap, costing around $500 to $600. But they look and feel like high-end glasses thanks to the luxe designs, making them stand out from trend-focused brands.
- Robert Marc specializes in high-quality glasses and sunglasses. Their frames are crafted in Italy and Japan.
- There’s a range of colors, shapes, and styles. This includes a broad range of women’s glasses featuring plenty of cat-eye frames. There are also dozens of unisex styles with horn-rimmed, square, and aviator frames.
- Overall, Robert Marc eyewear is not cheap, costing around $500 to $600. But they look and feel like high-end glasses thanks to the luxe designs. This makes them stand out from trend-focused brands.
