They say you can never have too many shoes — the same could be said for Italian sunglasses. From cat-eye frames to aviators and sporty styles, I love how eyewear enhances each individual’s style and personality. When it comes to Italian sunglasses, chic frames are a must-have piece in my wardrobe. I never leave home without them.
From Rome to Milan, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite Italian eyewear brands — from heritage workshops to contemporary labels. They’re perfect to add to your wish list just in time for summer.
1. Persol
Few Italian eyewear brands carry the legacy of Persol. Founded in 1917 by Giuseppe Ratti in Turin, the brand originally designed protective eyewear for pilots and racing drivers. The name itself comes from per il sole — meaning “for the sun.”
Persol’s distinctive arrow hinge and Meflecto flexible temples quickly became hallmarks of the brand, blending technical innovation with elegant design. Today, Persol sunglasses remain a symbol of understated Italian style, famously worn by icons like Steve McQueen and still crafted in Italy using traditional techniques that have defined the brand for more than a century.
2. L.G.R.
As a vintage enthusiast with a penchant for 1960s style, I can’t help but appreciate Italian sunglasses handcrafted by L.G.R.
Created by Luca Gnecchi Ruscone in 2008, the brand was born after Ruscone discovered a sunglass model in his grandfather’s warehouse of Italian imports in Africa. The frames transported him to an era of romance and glamor which he sought to recreate. L.G.R. has since produced sunglass collections embodying the timeless elegance of the Italian Riviera, with hints of freedom and exploration, crafted in Italy’s historic eyewear district of Cadore.
L.G.R. is a favorite with celebrities and costume designers, recently appearing in Emily in Paris and The White Lotus.
3. Antica Occhialeria
A family-run business born in 1956, Antica Occhialeria was founded in Florence by Lucio Enrico Di Nardo. The boutique is located within a former 19th-century hat atelier, where attention to detail and artisanal craftsmanship create a deeply traditional shopping experience. The team at Antica Occhialeria oversees every step of the sunglass production process and uses the highest quality materials to create one-of-a-kind shades that can be personalized in-shop with custom touches.
4. Mondelliani
For nearly 85 years, Mondelliani has proven that eyewear is one of the most fabulous accessories to channel our playful personality. Mondelliani’s two shops in Rome stock an abundant array of frames from the brand’s two collections, Ottovolante and Soprattutto. Each design is eccentric yet tasteful in style, color, and geometric shape. All frames are designed in-house, reflecting the brand’s longstanding Roman eyewear tradition.
5. Sestini
A young brand established in 2020, Sestini Eyewear is a newcomer to the Italian sunglass scene — and already generating a buzz. Founded by fashion enthusiast and global influencer Carlo Sestini, Sestini’s chic frames not only protect your eyes from the sun. They’re designed to frame the way you see the world — a more quiet lens through which to observe an increasingly sensory-overloaded culture.
Through thoughtful craftsmanship and elegant design, Sestini has launched multiple core collections of shapes and shades produced in limited quantities, quickly building a following as a modern Italian eyewear label. I am obsessed with their oval, ’60s-inspired frames “Cinque” and can’t wait to wear them while I embrace the lettino lifestyle this summer.
6. Gast
Gast, an independent eyewear label based in Milan, is on a mission to create hand-made, anti-industry-priced sunglasses without sacrificing quality, innovation, and sustainability. The brand works alongside Italian acetate manufacturer Mazzucchelli 1849 and expert artisans to produce Gast’s designs — a process that takes more than fifty steps from start to finish. Limited in quantity but not selection, the creative team takes inspiration from the colors, contrasts, and creative energy of Milan when designing each item.
7. Illesteva
Founded in 2010, Illesteva has become a favorite among fashion insiders for its bold, design-forward frames that blend classic silhouettes with contemporary flair. The brand was launched by Daniel Silberman and Jus Ske in New York, but its sunglasses are handcrafted in Italy by skilled artisans using premium materials such as Mazzucchelli acetate and mineral glass lenses.
Illesteva’s collections balance vintage inspiration with modern proportions, resulting in frames that feel both timeless and fashion-forward. From oversized square shapes to retro-inspired aviators, the brand’s sunglasses have developed a loyal following among editors, stylists and celebrities alike.
8. Retrosuperfuture
I recently stumbled upon Retrosuperfuture while doing some early-summer shopping at one of my favorite curated Roman boutiques, Officine Red. In no time, I became the proud owner of a pair of these magnetic blue shades. Born in 2007 in Milan, founder Daniel Beckerman longed to create a collection of glasses that mirrored the bold, unpredictable energy of street style, something he felt was missing from the sunglass industry. He also wanted to remain rooted in Italian craftsmanship while keeping the price relatively accessible.
Today, the brand has collaborated with names like Marni and Diesel, and Retrosuperfuture frames are worn by A-list celebrities from Rihanna to Bella Hadid.
9. Ophy Eyewear
Architecture and contemporary design sit at the heart of Ophy Eyewear, a Sicilian brand founded in 2018 by designer Placido Minissale. Inspired by futurist architecture and bold geometric forms, Ophy frames stand out for their sculptural lines and three-dimensional shapes. Crafted in Italy using high-quality materials like Mazzucchelli acetate, the sunglasses combine traditional craftsmanship with a distinctly modern design sensibility.
