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We decided to try out one of Saint Owen’s most popular sunglasses and see if they lived up to the hype.
Saint Owen, since its inception, has carved a niche for itself in the eyewear market by effortlessly blending sophistication with responsibility. Rather than just creating another pair of sunglasses, the brand consistently delivers a statement—a commitment to luxury, artistry, and environmental consciousness.
Saint Owen is a brand thankfully independant of the eyewear juggernaut Luxottica and founded by twin sisters Val Sanders and Michelle Haner. Being independent allows them to make conscious decisions when it comes to the quality and environmental friendliness of the products they make. Saint Owen stands out in the eyewear space to us because they are a quality luxury brand that also takes steps to do their part for the environment. More often than not luxury brands do not consider their environmental impact when producing products.
The Saint Owen Cash collection to us is an epitome of the brand’s values. It represents more than just eyewear but an expression of lasting style and sustainability. From the design standpoint, it is no wonder that the Cash design is a popular one. The Saint Owen Cash sunglasses are currently available in a total of 7 colors. The complete list of frame colors is: Translucent Grey, Black and Cream, Black, Burnt Orange, Maroon, and Bone. The Black and Cream frames are offered in either a yellow lens color or grey. Otherwise the frames are available in a default lens color of grey with the exception of the brown lenses that come with the Burnt Orange frames. We opted to try the Cash Burnt Orange color.
One thing that impressed us about the Saint Owen Cash sunglasses was the packaging. We could immediately tell that they spent a lot of time designing the box and making sure that the customer’s first impression of the brand upon receiving the eyewear is a great one. The Cash sunglasses arrived in an all-black shipping bag and all-black box. The black box has Saint Owen written on the top and side and contains the Saint Owen logo elegantly along the center piece on the box sides.
We were impressed by the sturdy high quality construction of the paper box the Saint Owen Cash sunglasses came in. It has a density to it that makes it feel like there is something special inside the box. Saint Owen sunglass boxes are a safe place to store eyewear but are also elegant and strong enough to reuse to store any number of other items.
Inside the box Saint Owen included a cleaning cloth with their logo on it, a Saint Owen branded dust bag, a vegan leather case and documentation booklet. No part of the unboxing experience let us down. The details of all the branded accessories were a surprise and added to the whole experience.
Once you finally open the sturdy vegan leather sunglass case, you see the actual product for the first time. The Saint Owen Cash sunglasses in the Burnt Orange frame color instantly hit you with the feeling of a luxurious high-end design when you open the case. We love that the darkness and intensity of the acetate Burnt Orange frame color change depending on lighting conditions. In lower light conditions, like outdoors but in the shade, the frames appear darker and more opaque. In brighter conditions and direct sunlight, the Saint Owen Cash frames become brighter, more transparent and the metal internal framing details stand out. Of course this will vary depending on the color of the frames you get, but we love the effect in the Burnt Orange color.
The lenses of the Saint Owen Cash Burnt Orange colored sunglasses come in brown which compliment the Burnt Orange frames perfectly. Adding a layer of luxury is the anti-reflective coating. This feature, often reserved for top-tier eyewear, reduces glare from the sun and artificial lights, ensuring wearers experience visual comfort in various lighting conditions. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about seeing the world with enhanced clarity.
The CR-39 and nylon lenses Saint Owen uses elevate the sunglasses from a mere accessory to a daily necessity. Their clarity produces optimal vision, while their lightweight design gives you comfort for long term wear. The frames with the lenses are not so front heavy like many other similarly thick framed glasses. This is, in part, due to the lenses Saint Owen picks for the Cash sunglass line. Such lenses are often the hallmark of high-end eyewear giving you a high quality viewing experience.
The frames of the Saint Owen Cash line are all made of a special biodegradable acetate. Even though Saint Owen crafts sunglasses with style that’s designed to last a lifetime, whenever the end of life comes they are designed to make the least environmental impact possible. The biodegradable acetate not only showcases the brand’s commitment to the environment but also ensures a premium feel to the touch.
There is really something special about the acetate used in the Saint Owen Cash Burnt Orange frames. Like we mentioned earlier, the color and transparency of the frames changes depending on lighting conditions. This adds a bit of attention grabbing visual intrigue to the design that we love.
Unlike many other popular luxury eyewear brands, Saint Owen seems to apply a care in producing their eyewear that encourages you to look closely at all the small details. Saint Owen makes their sunglasses in small batches by hand in Italy. The Italian craftspeople take a lot of pride in their work and it shows.
On the inside of the frame you can find “Saint Owen” on the right side and “Cash” on the left delicately imprinted in a gold color. Looking closely at the text you can’t find any stray color or sloppy printing. The attention to detail is almost microscopic.
When one thinks of luxury, the artistry and precision of Italian craftsmanship often come to mind. Saint Owen’s Cash sunglasses are no exception, with each pair meticulously handcrafted in Italy. This Italian touch ensures that every piece isn’t just functional, but a work of art that speaks of opulence and elegance.
The Saint Owen brand has an anti-fast fashion philosophy. In a world dominated by throw-away culture and rapid consumerism, Saint Owen stands firm in its commitment to slow fashion. The brand’s ethos revolves around crafting quality pieces meant to last a lifetime. By focusing on timeless designs, they not only offer enduring style but also combat the wastefulness associated with fast fashion brands.
Manufacturing products in small batches is a conscious decision by Saint Owen to reduce overproduction and minimize waste. This approach not only ensures that each piece receives individual attention but also demonstrates a commitment to producing only what’s necessary, reflecting a deeper respect for resources.
Recognizing the environmental impact of businesses, Saint Owen partners with Climeworks to offset its carbon emissions. By investing in direct air capture, which removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the brand takes actionable steps to mitigate its environmental footprint.
Beyond minimizing harm, Saint Owen actively contributes to environmental restoration. Donating 5% of profits to the Eden Reforestation Project is not just a charitable act; it’s a commitment. Eden’s mission to plant millions of trees annually not only aids in restoring forests but also tackles extreme poverty, resonating with the brand’s vision of a better, greener world.
In line with their sustainable philosophy, even the packaging is eco-friendly. By choosing packaging that has minimal impact on the environment, Saint Owen ensures that from production to delivery, their commitment to the planet remains unwavering.
The Saint Owen Cash sunglasses are a great unisex design that really does work well dressed up or down. While the Burnt Orange variation of the Cash sunglasses captures attention with its rich hue and sophisticated charm, Saint Owen offers a palette of six colors. This variety ensures that there’s a perfect pair to resonate with every individual’s style, mood, or occasion.
In the realm of luxury eyewear, Saint Owen’s Cash sunglasses stand out as a testament to the harmonious blend of style, craftsmanship, and environmental consciousness. From their meticulous attention to design detail to their commitment to sustainable practices, the brand has carved a niche for itself, offering products that resonate with both the fashion-forward and the eco-conscious.
The versatility in color choices ensures that every individual finds a reflection of their style, while the brand’s dedication to slow fashion and environmental well-being serves as a beacon for responsible luxury. With the Cash sunglasses, Saint Owen doesn’t just offer a product; it offers a statement—a call to embrace luxury that’s both timeless and kind to our planet. Whether you’re seeking unparalleled style, superior craftsmanship, or a brand with a heart, with Saint Owen, you need not choose. They effortlessly deliver it all.
