I agree totally.

I always thought of Ray Ban as "the name" for sunglasses, not designer, like Prada, D&G, Bulgari etc. Which is why I wouldn't object to buying Ray Ban, but I'd never look at those other names.

It is the same for most things I buy, I'll buy a brand that has a reputation for building good quality in that type of product (Toshiba, Panasonic, Sony for television, for example), as opposed to Matsui or Silverline as "unbranded" products, or B&O and their ilk at the "designer" end of the market.

As to wearing sunglasses or not, if they are proper sunglasses, they will protect your eyes from harmful rays. I prefer not to wear them as well, but when it is really bright or there are no clouds in the sky, I do wear them.

I only really wear mine when driving, but I got them from Boots.
Nothing designer about them, I just liked the way they looked and felt on me. I also made sure they had a good UV protection rating, which they do, but I can't remember what it is now.

Mark

I have quite pale eyes and bright sunshine is very painful, so I find decent sunglasses indispensable.

Decent sunglasses are a necessity - designer ones are not.

Al

+1