The Burberry check, the Ray-Ban lettering, Gucci’s double G: on many pairs of sunglasses a logo or pattern tells you straight away which brand made them. Here you will find out how to recognise well-known eyewear brands, where the mark sits and what to look for when buying designer glasses besides the logo.
Key points at a glance
- Each major sunglasses brand has a fixed signature: Burberry the check, Gucci the “GG” and green-red-green stripes, Versace the golden Medusa, Ray-Ban and Maui Jim lettering on the lens.
- The logo usually sits on the outside of the arm or in the corner of a lens. Model number, colour code and size are printed on the inside of the arm.
- A logo says nothing about fit or lenses. What counts is shape, workmanship and UV protection (UV400, CE mark).
- A brand and a manufacturer are not the same thing: many fashion labels have their glasses made by specialist eyewear manufacturers.
Sunglasses brands and their logos at a glance
This list combines luxury fashion brands (Burberry, Gucci, Prada, Versace) with classic eyewear brands (Ray-Ban, Maui Jim). The table shows how to tell them apart at first glance.
| Brand | Origin | Signature | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burberry | UK | check pattern, lettering on the arm | British style with the check as an accent |
| Ray-Ban | USA | lettering in the corner of a lens | classics such as the Wayfarer and the aviator shape |
| Gucci | Italy | “GG” logo, green-red-green stripes | large, eye-catching frames |
| Maui Jim | USA (Hawaii) | curved lettering on the lens and the arm | polarised lenses for outdoors |
| Prada | Italy | lettering or triangular emblem on the arm | versatile shapes, from understated to bold |
| Versace | Italy | golden Medusa | gold and opulence |
The signatures in detail
Burberry: the check
The check pattern is the trademark of the British label Burberry. It appears in the clothing and accessories and on Burberry sunglasses too, often as a coloured accent on the arms. The check is used with restraint: sometimes it takes centre stage, sometimes it is just a detail. Some models also carry a golden Burberry lettering on the arm.
Ray-Ban: the lettering on the lens
Even people who take little interest in glasses know Ray-Ban. The typical sign is the small Ray-Ban lettering in the upper corner of a lens. The brand became famous partly through film and television, for example The Blues Brothers and Miami Vice. If you are after a Miami Vice look, go for dark lenses in a bold frame. Then there are the shapes almost everyone knows: aviator and Wayfarer, in metal or plastic, round, oval or angular.
Gucci: “GG” and green-red-green stripes
Gucci stands for large, eye-catching frames. Angular shapes dominate, but there are round models too. The logo usually sits on the arm, written out or as “GG”. Another hallmark are the green-red-green stripes, which can appear on the front of the frame or on the arms.
Maui Jim: lettering and strong colours
You recognise Maui Jim, a brand from Hawaii, by the curved “Maui Jim” lettering at the top edge of a lens and, on many models, on the arm. The brand relies on polarised lenses, which reduce glare from reflections. The manufacturer also promotes them for rich colour rendering.
Prada: Italian variety
Prada comes in many versions: angular or round, full-rim or half-rim, understated or bold, but always with Italian flair. The arm usually carries the Prada lettering or the triangular emblem. Its sister brand Miu Miu is the subject of our article MiuMiu – Prada’s Modern Sister.
Versace: the golden Medusa
Versace stands for gold, opulence and eye-catching design. The golden Medusa logo adorns most models, large on the arm or smaller on the bridge. What the Medusa means and why Gianni Versace chose her is explained in Versace Logo Meaning: What the Medusa Stands For.
Where is the logo? How to read the marks on your glasses
Brands place their mark in a few fixed spots:
- Outside of the arm: this is where most eyewear logos sit, such as the Burberry lettering, Gucci’s “GG” or the Versace Medusa. Very thin arms often have no logo at all.
- On the lens: Ray-Ban and Maui Jim put their lettering in the corner of a lens. With many brands it is a fine engraving.
- Patterns and colours: you recognise the Burberry check or the Gucci stripes even without lettering.
- Inside of the arm: model number, colour code and size (lens width, bridge width and arm length in millimetres) are printed here, usually together with the CE mark.
A neatly applied logo is part of a well-made pair of glasses. It is not proof of authenticity, though, because logos can be copied too.
Brand or manufacturer: what is the difference?
On designer eyewear the name of the label is on the arm, but the glasses are not always made by the label itself. Many fashion brands such as Burberry, Gucci, Prada or Versace have their glasses developed and manufactured by specialist eyewear manufacturers, partly under licence, partly within a company group. Ray-Ban, Oakley and Maui Jim, on the other hand, are American eyewear brands by origin.
The brand name tells you about the style. How well a pair is made shows in the details: hinges, edges, lenses and engravings.
Buying designer eyewear: what matters besides the logo
- A shape that suits your face: angular frames balance a round face, round and oval shapes soften an angular one. The top of the frame should roughly follow your eyebrows.
- Workmanship: hinges move smoothly, edges are cleanly polished and the logo sits straight and flat.
- UV protection and category: look for UV400 and the CE mark. Category 2 suits changing light, category 3 bright sun, and category 4 is never suitable for driving.
- With a prescription: many sunglasses can also be fitted with prescription lenses.
Among the current sunglasses at Edel-Optics you will find, for example, the Ray-Ban Wayfarer (RB2140), the Ray-Ban Justin and the Oakley Holbrook, plus models from Prada, Miu Miu and Gucci.
Miu Miu MU A51S 5AK20P£247.36
Oakley EYEJACKET REDUX (OO9438 943805)£117.88 P
Prada PR 65ZS ZVN09T£152.61
Ray-Ban BILL (RB2198 129251)£95.65
Prada PR B15S 17N70R£196.81
Miu Miu MU B07S 16K04O£202.64
Prada PR 15WS 01R0A6£145.94
Ray-Ban CATS 5000 (RB4125 710/51)£95.65Glasses of the stars: when the person is the trademark
For some stars it is not the logo but the glasses themselves that make them recognisable. Our article Celebrity Eyewear: Stars Who Made Glasses Their Trademark looks at singers such as Elton John, Bono and Anastacia, and at Johnny Depp.
FAQ: sunglasses brands and logos
Who makes Burberry glasses?
Burberry glasses are not made by the fashion house itself. They are developed and produced together with a specialist eyewear manufacturer, usually under licence. The Burberry check and the lettering on the arm still make them recognisable as Burberry.
Which glasses brands start with B or M?
Burberry, Boss, Bogner and Bottega Veneta start with B. Maui Jim, Miu Miu, Moncler and Montblanc start with M. You can see which models are currently available in the shop.
Who suits gold glasses?
Gold frames and details look warm and refined. As a rule of thumb they often go well with warm skin tones and brown or blonde hair, while cool skin tones tend to suit silver or black. It is not a fixed rule: what counts is how the glasses look on you. You will find golden accents on the Versace Medusa or on some Burberry models.
