Polaroid
Polarized Rectangular Sunglasses
These Polaroid brand polarized rectangular sunglasses provide 100% UV protection and glare-free vision, with an eco-polyamide frame for lightweight comfort. They are suitable for driving, outdoor activities, and daily wear, and come with a rigid signature case and soft bag. Specifications: 55 mm eye width, 15 mm bridge, 145 mm temple length; reviews note good lens quality for the price and durability in saltwater, though some users report the polarization coating may peel over time.
- Material
- eco-polyamide
- Gender
- unisex
- Style
- glam, classic
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing Accessories > Sunglasses
Color
Size
Specifications
Polarized rectangular sunglasses with an elegant, rounded eco-polyamide frame, offering 100% UV protection and glare-free vision.
100% UV protection, polarized lenses, eco-polyamide frame, rigid case with soft bag
- Material
- eco-polyamide
- Style
- glam, classic
- Occasion
- everyday, vacation
- Gender
- unisex
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing Accessories > Sunglasses
Additional Attributes
- Polaroid at Simons
- Elegant frame with rounded lines
- Eco-friendly material
- 100% UV protection
- Polarized lenses for glare-free vision and optimal colour perception
- Light and comfortable eco-polyamide frame
- Rigid signature case with small soft bag
- Eye width: 55 mm
- Bridge: 15 mm
- Temple: 145 mm
Product Insights
Polaroid's heritage as the inventor of the first commercial polarized sunglasses in 1936 grounds these rectangular sunglasses, which pair a lightweight eco-polyamide frame with 100% UV400 protection and deep saturated color clarity. The core tradeoff lies in durability: while the frame resists stress, chemicals, and saltwater, the polarization coating may peel within a year under heat (e.g., left in a hot car), though some users report years of use. Priced at 90 CAD, they offer good value for the original polarized brand, but newer competitors have surpassed them. They fit average-to-wide faces and are comfortable for driving, beach, and daily wear.
Verified claims
- Heritage
- Polaroid invented the first commercial polarized sunglasses in 1936.
- Durability
- Buyers report polarization coating peeling within a year when left in a hot car; others report years of use.
- Frame quality
- Eco-polyamide plastic frame resists stress cracking and chemicals, and is lightweight for comfort.
- Competitive standing
- Original polarized brand; good for the price but surpassed by newer competitors.
- UV protection
- 100% UV protection, equivalent to UV400 standard.
- Weight
- Frame is lighter than standard plastic or acetate, reducing pressure on nose and ears.
- Color and clarity
- Black and taupe colorways achieve deep saturated color with crisp translucency.
- Build quality
- Polarization coating may peel within a year under heat; but the frame is durable and some users report years of use.
- Driving
- Polarized lenses designed for driving; heat may cause coating to peel
- Beach
- Resists saltwater and sunscreen; buyer reports 3 years of sea use without rust
- Daily wear
- Lightweight and flexible, comfortable for all-day wear at a friendly price
- Polarization care
- Buyers report polarization peeling within a year from car heat; use case and microfiber cloth.
- Fit
- Best for average-to-wide faces; narrow faces may feel slightly wide.
Product record
- Title
- Polarized Rectangular Sunglasses
- Brand
- Polaroid
- Price
- 90 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Deep Research
The invention of polarized lenses by Polaroid
- Land first became fixated on eliminating glare at age 13, motivated by the nighttime driving dangers of the 1920s, and that mission directly led to the polarized lens — so when you slide these on for a drive, you're directly participating in the original use case that drove the invention.
- The polarization in this lens is a direct consequence of Edwin Land's 1929 patent for synthetic polarizing sheet, which he conceived while a Harvard freshman by aligning microscopic herapathite crystals in transparent plastic — so these $90 glasses carry the same foundational optical principle that Land commercialized nearly a century ago.
- The first commercial polarized sunglasses, Polaroid Day Glasses, launched in 1936 at $3.75 (equivalent to roughly $65 today), instantly creating the category and making the glare-cutting lens a mass-market reality — meaning that today's $90 rectangular frame is a direct descendant of that historic debut.
What eco-polyamide frame material offers
- Eco-polyamide offers very good resistance to stress cracking, so the frame can bend and flex repeatedly without developing micro-fractures — a real-world durability advantage over acetate, which can snap at the bridge from everyday handling.
- Polyamide’s inherently low density makes the frame noticeably lighter than acetate or standard plastic equivalents — the reason Polaroid calls it ‘light and comfortable’ — reducing pressure on the nose and ears during long wear.
- Because eco-polyamide is naturally crystal clear without clouding additives, the black and taupe colorways achieve deep, saturated color with a crisp translucency that opaque plastics cannot replicate — supporting the ‘glamorous look’ the listing promises.
- The material withstands degradation from oils, cosmetics, and cleaning agents — so everyday contact with skin, sunscreen, or lens wipes won’t cloud or pit the frame, preserving the glossy surface season after season.
Italian design and Safilo Group ownership
- Polaroid Eyewear became part of the Italian Safilo Group in April 2012, shifting the brand’s center of gravity to Padua, Italy, and placing it within the same parent company that produces luxury licensed eyewear for Gucci, Dior, and Alexander McQueen — this acquisition embedded Polaroid’s affordable sunglasses in a group renowned for premium design and quality control.
Image Analysis
2 images- 01
Product
Front-facing glossy black plastic sunglass frame with large rounded-rectangular gradient purple lenses, visible temples receding behind the lenses, and small gold metal accents at the outer upper corners. 'Polaroid' logo printed on the right lens near the upper corner.
- Frame material and finishGlossy black injection-molded plastic full-rim frame visible across the front, continuous around both lenses and bridge.
1 region
x 0.05 · y 0.28 · w 0.90 · h 0.40 (high) - Lens shape and sizeLarge rounded-rectangular lenses with a subtle cat-eye upward sweep at the outer upper corners; lenses occupy most of the frame front.
1 region
x 0.08 · y 0.33 · w 0.84 · h 0.34 (high) - Lens tintGradient purple tint darker at the top and fading to a much lighter purple/near-clear at the bottom of each lens.
2 regions
x 0.12 · y 0.33 · w 0.36 · h 0.30 (high); x 0.52 · y 0.33 · w 0.36 · h 0.30 (high) - Bridge shapeSingle-piece saddle-style bridge integrated into the frame with a shallow central dip between the lenses.
1 region
x 0.44 · y 0.40 · w 0.12 · h 0.08 (high) - Temples visible behind lensesInner faces of both temple arms visible behind the lenses, angled rearward and narrowing toward the temple tips; temples appear to be the same glossy black material as the frame.
2 regions
x 0.16 · y 0.40 · w 0.12 · h 0.24 (high); x 0.72 · y 0.40 · w 0.12 · h 0.24 (high) - Gold hinge accentsSmall rectangular gold metal decorative accents set into the outer upper corners of the frame on both sides.
2 regions
x 0.01 · y 0.31 · w 0.06 · h 0.05 (high); x 0.93 · y 0.31 · w 0.06 · h 0.05 (high) - Brand text on lens“Polaroid”
1 region
x 0.74 · y 0.30 · w 0.12 · h 0.07 (high)
Other
Centered front product shot on a white studio background with soft shadow below the frame; even frontal lighting with minimal reflection on lenses.
- Shot compositionSymmetrical, head-on frontal view of the sunglasses centered horizontally and vertically in the image.
- Background and shadowPlain white background with a soft gray shadow directly beneath the frame consistent with studio lighting.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.62 · w 0.64 · h 0.12 (high) - Lighting and reflectionsEven frontal illumination producing mild specular highlights along the top edge of the glossy frame and subtle reflections on the lens surfaces.
Colors
gloss black· frame#0D0E0Egradient purple· lensespolished gold· metal accents- Frame material and finishGlossy black injection-molded plastic full-rim frame visible across the front, continuous around both lenses and bridge.
- 02
Product
Glossy black full-rim sunglasses with squared rounded lenses, gradient purple lenses, slim straight temples with gold 'Polaroid' logo on the right temple, and integrated molded nose bridge.
- Frame material and finishGlossy black full-rim frame, appears to be polished plastic or acetate with smooth reflective surface.
2 regions
x 0.08 · y 0.28 · w 0.40 · h 0.45 (high); x 0.46 · y 0.32 · w 0.46 · h 0.26 (high) - Lens shapeSquared with softly rounded corners; front profile shows wider upper rim and slightly narrower lower rim.
1 region
x 0.10 · y 0.33 · w 0.68 · h 0.38 (high) - Lens color and treatmentGradient purple-tinted lenses, darker at top fading to lighter near bottom.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.36 · w 0.64 · h 0.34 (high) - Nose bridgeIntegrated molded nose bridge formed from same black frame material with smooth internal contours.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.49 · w 0.14 · h 0.10 (high) - Temple shapeSlim straight temples extending back with slight inward curve at the temple tips.
1 region
x 0.46 · y 0.32 · w 0.46 · h 0.26 (high) - Right temple logo text“Polaroid”
1 region
x 0.57 · y 0.38 · w 0.18 · h 0.05 (high) - Left lens printed text“Polaroid”
1 region
x 0.25 · y 0.36 · w 0.10 · h 0.06 (high) - Metal hinge accentSmall rectangular gold metal accent at the upper outer corner of the front frame near each temple hinge.
2 regions
x 0.10 · y 0.33 · w 0.05 · h 0.05 (high); x 0.55 · y 0.36 · w 0.04 · h 0.04 (high) - Inner left temple text“Polaroid SUSTAINABLE CHOICE CE”Partial
1 region
x 0.08 · y 0.20 · w 0.28 · h 0.07 (medium)
Other
Studio product shot on a white background with soft shadows beneath the sunglasses; light comes from upper left causing subtle highlights on frame. Image shows three-quarter front view with both temples visible and slight cast shadow to the right.
- Shot compositionThree-quarter front angle showing left front frame closest to viewer and both temples visible, placed on a flat white surface.
- Lighting and shadowSoft directional lighting from upper left producing a faint soft shadow of the glasses to the right and below.
- BackgroundUniform white background with no props or packaging visible.
Colors
gloss black· frame#0D0E0Dgradient purple· lenses#917593metallic gold· logo accents#939392matte gray· temple tips#7C7C7B- Frame material and finishGlossy black full-rim frame, appears to be polished plastic or acetate with smooth reflective surface.
Documents & Data
Customer Reviews
3 total3 reviews · out of 5
It’s my second pair!
I’m obsessed
The best
My second pair!
❤️❤️
👍👍👍
Q&A
7 answered- Based on user reviews, is there a common durability issue with the polarization coating peeling off on these Polaroid sunglasses?
- Yes, user reviews and community discussions indicate that the polarization coating may peel off within a year, especially if exposed to heat. Durability varies, but this is a common complaint.
- What type of UV filter do the lenses use? Are they UV400-rated for full protection?
- The product listing states the lenses provide 100% UV protection. While it doesn't explicitly say UV400, 100% UV protection is functionally equivalent to the UV400 standard, blocking 99-100% of UVA and UVB rays.
- Is the eco-polyamide frame more impact-resistant than standard plastic or acetate frames?
- Eco-polyamide (a type of nylon) is generally more flexible and impact-resistant than standard plastic or acetate frames, but we don't have specific impact test data for this model.
- Do these sunglasses fit comfortably on someone with a narrow face?
- With an eye width of 55 mm and a bridge of 15 mm, these are considered medium-sized frames. They may be slightly wide for someone with a very narrow face—those with narrow faces generally prefer eye widths of 50–52 mm. We recommend trying them on or checking measurements.
- Are Polaroid sunglasses any good?
- They provide decent lenses at a low price, but build quality and coating durability are major concerns.
- What are Polaroid sunglasses?
- They are a budget-friendly brand of polarized sunglasses, originally known for pioneering the technology, but now facing strong competition.
- Do Polaroid sunglasses last?
- Durability varies: some users have used them for years without issues, while others experience peeling and breakage within a year.
Reddit Insights
5 threads · r/BuyItForLife, r/askcroatia, r/EyewearEnthusiasts, r/Frugal, r/sunglassesReddit opinions on Polaroid polarized sunglasses are mixed: they are appreciated for affordable lens quality but criticised for cheap build and a tendency for polarization to peel.
While some users report years of reliable use and good lens performance, a significant number complain about peeling polarization and cheap plastic construction, creating a split sentiment.
Themes
Use Cases
- Daily casual wear
- Beach and saltwater activities
- Driving (kept in car)
Watch Out For
Compared To
vs Other polarized sunglass brands
Polaroid was an early innovator in polarized lenses but has been surpassed by many modern optical companies in quality.
Source Threads
Not BIFL but good quality lenses for the price
I always get polaroids. Not necessarily bifl but good quality lenses, and I tend to lose/sit on/... em too much to buy more expensive ones
u/ikkeooknietView thread →
Excellent durability and lens quality for sea use
Polaroid, baš se tako zove marka, su odlične, ja s njima idem u more, zadnje imam 3 godine, jos se nisu ni ogrebale ni zahrđale.
u/zhivacView thread →
Polaroid pioneered polarized lenses but now surpassed
Polaroid was the first company to figure out to do it at a much better price, and while they did start with sunglasses, and do still sell some, it’s not what they’re known for, and many optical companies have far surpassed them now.
u/LifeChanceDanceView thread →
Clarification that OP is asking about the brand Polaroid
To the comments below, I don't think OP is asking about polarized vs. non-polarized. OP is asking about the brand name "POLAROID"
u/SoFlaSlideView thread →
Negative review: polarization peels off quickly
No they’re trash, the polarization peels off over time. And by over time I mean within the year. It’s possible it’s because I left them in my car, which was specifically why I bought them, but I’ve never had it happen with any other of the dozens of pairs of sunglasses I’ve left in my car.
u/Convergecult15View thread →