The 2023 “Global Fashion Accessories Consumption Report” states that the white sunglasses market share among women is the leading player in the sunglasses market with an annual growth rate of 19%, and its primary driving force originates from the influence of color psychology – white frames have a role to brighten the facial visual brightness by 18-22 lumens. And 83% of the spring and summer trend colors (like goose yellow, coral orange). For example, Ray-Ban white coated “Aviator Classic” lens width 138mm model with lens transmittal rate of 10% has more than 4.3 million such related content on Instagram hashtag #SummerStyle, which is one of the major reasons for the brand’s sales increase of 41% in Q2 2023, and 31% re-purchase rate. Due to white reflectance (82%), it is able to neutralize the ultraviolet light-induced skin oxidation (the experiments prove that the probability of sun spot formation is reduced by 21%).
Material innovation technology is the answer to white frame anti-yellowing: Gucci’s “Blondie” series uses WhiteShield™ nano-coating (coating thickness 60 nm), which increases the color difference ΔE value by only 1.5 (industry standard ΔE≤3) after 400 hours of UV level 5 exposure, increasing anti-yellowing life to 5 years from 2 years. The “So Real” white tortoisesbill model released by Dior in 2022 realizes a gradient variation in light transmission (12%-50%) by microlamination technology (0.03mm per layer), lightens the frame weight to 24g, increases the nose pad contact area to 55mm², lowers the wearing pressure by 37%, and is worn by 38 stars at the Cannes Film Festival. Brand searches surged 210% within one day.
From a design parameter perspective, the synergy of broad mirror legs (9-11 mm) and narrow nose bridge (15-17 mm) enhances the visual balance of white women’s sunglasses to the greatest extent. Prada’s “Linea Rossa” sports style (leg width 10mm) uses laser-engraved texture (line density 150 lines/cm, depth 0.2 mm) to reduce the reflection glare of the frame in strong light by 29%, while increasing the side support (bending strength of 520MPa). Market analysis suggests that graded grey lenses white frames (top 8%, bottom 65%) accounted for 45% of premium sunglasses sales by women, such as Oakley’s “Frogskins Luxe” model (base bend 6.5 of lens curvature) by two-color injection molding to control the frame weight at 23 grams, The probability of slipping while running drops to 2.8% (industry average is 11%).
On the color strategy front, the cross-scene compatibility of white frames is impressive: Lab tests show that white is 94% compatible with more than seven Pantone colors of the year, whereas black is only 71% compatible. Chanel’s “Coco Beach” collection, which produces refractive index of light difference (1.53-1.72) by the mother-of-pearl Mosaic method (0.1 mm thickness per piece), triggered a 170% social media visibility rise during Miami Swimwear Week 2023. White frames have been proven by consumer research to extend the face length of vision of a female with a round face by 12% (aspect ratio to 1.45:1 for a 140-150 mm lens width), and smooth out the edge of the jaw Angle of a square face by 8 degrees.
As for economic gains, the white sunglasses for women have an inventory turnover rate 2.1 times higher than color models (turnaround days reduced from 50 days to 24 days), since the base color is not as vulnerable to seasonal variations. In its own accounts, Luxottica discloses its Persol brand “PO3166” white acetate model (production cost $49, selling price $325) boasts a gross margin of 81%, and H1 2023 sales increased 39% year on year. Independent fashion houses such as Jacques Marie Mage have priced white frames as high as $950 through limited releases (such as the “Snow Crash” co-branded releases), and 79% of core customers would pay a 40% premium for special designs, making it a high-margin fashion strategic product that white frames have been.