Prescription sunglasses are an
expensive investment, but if you wear glasses, at first sight it looks
like a purchase you have to make. However, that isn't necessarily so.
UK based eyewear brand Rapid
Eyewear have recently started to manufacture sunglasses that go over
glasses - the company likes to call them overglasses. Rapid Eyewear's
Managing Director John Clark explains why the company, who have been
manufacturing their own brands since 2005, have chosen to make them:
"We were getting quite a lot of
customers asking if we made overglasses, over a period of time" he
says. "To be honest I wasn't keen at first because I thought making
overglasses might simply discourage people from buying our Rx prescription eyewear,
but now we've started making them I can see this isn't really the case.
All we have actually done is to provide a service to a cash-strapped
public who want a simple, highly cost-effective solution to their
needs."
There are currently two pairs
available, in matt black and tortoiseshell colours. "I have been
gobsmacked by our sales of overglasses" says Clark. "On Amazon in
particular they are going like hot cakes and we are having to order them
in their thousands to make sure we don't run out of stock. The feedback
for the products has been excellent, with customers praising the
quality and look, which of course is highly satisfying because we always
work hard on our designs."
The idea of making sunglasses
that fit over spectacles isn't a new one of course, and quite a few
other companies also make them. Despite the stiff competition, Rapid
Eyewear's attractive-looking sunglasses have struck a chord with the
public and their establishment in this highly competitive market has
been swift. As a result, several new styles are already in manufacture,
including a night-driving overglasses option, alternative colours, and
slightly larger fitting frames for those with bigger glasses.
"We seem to have hit the ground
running with this range of products, and so we will definitely be
developing the range further to meet the large demand" says John. "It
has been interesting to note that a lot of customers, mainly women, buy
both styles we've produced so far because they want a fashion choice -
we'll be looking to increase that choice very soon with more colours."
The new styles will become
available in early October, in time for Christmas shopping. For sure,
with prices set at under £15.00 per pair, Rapid Eyewear's Overglasses
will make an ideal Christmas present. They are made from lightweight
polycarbonate and offer 100% UVA / UVB protection, through
impact-resistant lenses. Take a look at the Rapid Eyewear Overglasses range here.
