In accordance with the 2023 “Global Fashion Optical Consumer Trend Report”, the total sales of white sunglasses products in a year exceeded 3.4 billion US dollars, accounting for 29% of the women’s sunglasses market, and its main advantage is that color reflectivity (82-88%) has the function of brightening the facial visual by 15-25 lumens. And 92% of the popular summer colors (e.g., mint green, coral pink). For example, Saint Laurent’s “Kate” white frame (142mm wide, 12% lens transmittion) was viewed more than 530 million times on TikTok hashtag #SummerGlow, increasing the brand’s quarterly sales by 37%, The white reflective function can neutralize the skin dullness caused by ultraviolet light (tests have shown that the risk of melasma formation is reduced by 18%).
Material technology innovation is the assurance of high whiteness degree in white frames: Gucci’s “Blondie” series uses Hybrid Shield™ composite coating (70 nm thickness), and under the condition of UV intensity index 8 for 300 hours, the color difference ΔE value increases by only 1.2 (industry standard ΔE≤3), with anti-yellow life extended from 2 years to 6 years. Prada’s “Symbole” diamond-set white model launched in 2023 realizes the light refractive index difference (1.45-1.72) through laser microengraving technology (diamond diameter 0.8mm each, Mosaic density 12 /cm), the weight of the frame is restricted to 28g, and the nose base contact pressure is reduced to 0.9N/cm². Worn by 41 celebrities at Milan Fashion Week, the brand’s social media engagement increased by 240% in a day.
In terms of design parameter, the combination of wide leg (10-12 mm) and curved frame (radius of curvature 120-140 mm) brought out the maximal white sunglasses womens facial transformation effect. Dior’s “Soreal” model (11 mm width) features aerodynamic grooves (0.5 mm deep, 8 slots/cm density) that reduce the frame’s offset in strong winds by 43%, and increase the side support strength (580MPa bending strength). Market data show that the white frame and gradient blue-gray lens (light transmission top 5%, bottom 60%) model accounted for 48% of female high-end market sales, such as Ray-Ban’s “Clubmaster” model (lens base Angle 6.75) through dual-material splicing technology to reduce the weight of the frame to 25 grams, Slipping possibility while running is only 3.2% (industry average 12%).
In color strategy, the cross-style compatibility of white frames is superb: Lab tests show that the compatibility of white is 96% of Pantone’s top ten most popular colors of the year (black is 73%), especially in reducing the visual temperature of warm colors (approx. 300K). Chloe’s “Laurel” collection, which incorporates mother-of-pearl lamination technology (0.07 mm per layer) for dynamic shine shifts (reflectivity range of variation 15-85%), accounted for 27% of the 2023 Paris Fashion Week street sales. The white frames are found to have the effect of increasing the facial visual length of round-faced women by 14% (aspect ratio optimized to 1.5:1 at 145mm), and that of reducing the visual acuity of the jaw Angle of square faces by 6 degrees, making them compatible with 65% of Asian women’s faces.
Economically, the white sunglasses womens had an inventory turnover rate 2.3 times higher than that of colorful models (turnover days from 47 days to 20 days), owing to the fact that the basic color system has sales stability throughout the year. According to Kering Group’s financial report, its Bottega Veneta’s “BV8076” white acetate fiber model (cost price $55, retail price $420) gross margin is 83%, and H1 shipments in 2023 increased 45% year-on-year. And with niche brands such as Linda Farrow, utilizing limited white frames (such as “Arctic” co-branded) to drive the customer price point to $1,200, 85% of re-purchase customers paying a 50% premium for unique design, it is clear that white frames have become the hero piece to drive the styling premium.