If You Wear Specs, You Need To Know These Affordable Glasses Brands
Whether your everyday specs are a necessity, part of your working wardrobe, or you just like to wear a pair to finish off your look, glasses shouldn’t cost the earth. Thankfully, there is a new generation of brands changing the game.
By prioritising sharp design and smarter business models, they’ve made quality frames accessible, affordable, and above all, genuinely cool. From the brand that gives back with every pair sold to the name that takes inspiration from trending sunglasses styles, scroll to shop the best affordable glasses brands we really rate.
Ace & Tate
Ace & Tate is the cool girls’ affordable eyewear brand. With 17 regional stores in the UK, you can shop in their beautiful brick-and-mortar boutiques (where you can also get your eyes tested), as well as online.
Since 2021, they’ve been a certified B Corp business, making them a great choice if you’re looking for responsibly made specs. They are also pushing creative boundaries by teaming up with artists, brands and game-changers for exclusive collaborations – think Ganni to Olaf Hussein, and Ashley Williams.
Browse their collection of cool metal-framed glasses and chunky “geek chic” styles – all starting from just £135, with lenses included.
SHOP THE EDIT…
Finlay
If Finlay’s tagline, “sunglasses and spectacles as individual as you,” resonates with you, you’re in for a treat. This isn’t just eyewear; it’s an art form. Every frame is a testament to quality craftsmanship, designed in their Soho studio and handmade from sustainable Italian Mazzucchelli acetate.
Finlay also believes in eyewear that lasts. Their reglazing service is a game-changer, letting you refresh your favourite frames with a new prescription or simply replace a scratched lens. It’s an innovative way to reduce waste and keep the glasses you love. Plus, with world-renowned ZEISS lenses providing optimal clarity and protection, you’ll see the difference.
Discover the collection online, where their customer service is top-notch, or visit their flagship stores in Notting Hill and Soho to find your perfect pair.
SHOP THE EDIT…
Firmoo
We’ll be honest, when we first saw the price of Firmoo’s brilliant range of frames, we had to do a double-take. With glasses starting from as little as £5, this online-only brand cuts out the middleman to keep costs incredibly low. While there’s something to be said for an in-person experience, if you’re on a budget, you can’t beat the value Firmoo offers.
Navigating over 900 frames might sound overwhelming, but the website is exceptionally well-organised. You can easily filter by style – square, tortoiseshell, clear, etc. – ensuring you find exactly what you’re looking for. Plus, their 24/7 online chat support and extensive content library are there to help you every step of the way.
SHOP THE EDIT…
Bloobloom
It’s hard to find a fault with Bloobloom. This London-founded company has it all: super-stylish frames, transparent pricing with full service for under £100, and a truly meaningful mission.
What really sets them apart is their Pair For Pair initiative. With over 2.5 billion people worldwide lacking access to glasses, Bloobloom donates a pair to someone in need with every purchase. It’s style with a purpose.
Whether you visit one of their London stores in Covent Garden, Battersea Power Station, Canary Wharf, or on the King’s Road, or shop online, their Home Try On service is a game-changer. You can order up to five frames to try on at home for five days, completely free and with no obligation to buy.
SHOP THE EDIT…
Jimmy Fairly
You’re probably familiar with Jimmy Fairly’s sunglasses range already – we are currently obsessed with their oversized ‘70s-style coloured frames – but it’s worth checking out their specs too. They have a design for pretty much every glasses trend out there right now, from 90s-inspired oval shapes to the classic chunky ‘geek chic’ style, metal to acetate, tortoiseshell to transparent.
Each pair is designed in Paris with exceptional attention to detail and is available from as little as £100, including prescription lenses. The brand’s commitment to sustainability is clear, with most frames made from 60% recycled and 40% bio-based acetate. They also ensure 95% of waste is recycled and packaging is single-use box-free.
Check them out in real life in a splattering of London stores as well as regional shops everywhere from Bath to Edinburgh.
SHOP THE EDIT…
Ollie Quinn
Ollie Quinn is a designer glasses brand that removes the guesswork from shopping. If you’re notorious for picking the most expensive item in the store, you’ll love their approach: every single frame is priced at just £175. This means you can finally choose the style you’re obsessed with, rather than the one you can afford.
This fantastic price includes not only a frame made from high-quality acetate or stainless steel, but also all of the lenses and service.
You can visit their London or Brighton stores for an eye test and contact lens fitting, as well as glasses, or take advantage of their excellent online offering.
SHOP THE EDIT…
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.
