Polaroid Eyewear
ActiveOverview
Polaroid Eyewear manufactures polarized sunglasses, polarized lenses, optical frames, reading glasses, and clip-on lenses. It operates as a brand under the Safilo Group, distributing products worldwide through subsidiaries and exclusive distributors.12
History
Edwin Land founded the Polaroid Corporation in 1937 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, inventing polarizing material in 1929 and introducing the first sunglasses with polarizing filters. The eyewear division was sold by Petters Group Worldwide to StyleMark in March 2007, then acquired by Safilo Group in November 2011. Safilo relocated production from Scotland to China post-acquisition, and the brand updated its logo in 2023.1
Product Lines
| Product Line | Positioning | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Polarized Sunglasses | Glare-reducing everyday eyewear | $50 - $150 |
| Optical Frames | Polarized lens compatible frames | $40 - $120 |
| Clip-on Lenses | Add-on polarization for glasses | $20 - $60 |
| Reading Glasses | Polarized readers for near vision | $30 - $80 |
Manufacturing
Production was moved from Scotland to China by Safilo Group following the 2011 acquisition, with the Scottish site in Dumbarton dismantled.1
Notable Products
- Polaroid Day Glasses - First sunglasses with polarizing filter introduced in 1937.
- PLD Polarized Sunglasses - Core line featuring proprietary polarized lenses.
- Clip-on Lenses - Polarized attachments for existing eyewear.
- Suncovers - Polarized covers for optical frames.
Reputation
Polaroid Eyewear is recognized for its heritage in polarized lens technology dating to 1937, valued by users for effective glare reduction in sunglasses.12 Production shift to China post-Safilo acquisition drew some criticism from those preferring European manufacturing.1 It maintains a position as a mid-tier eyewear brand focused on polarization rather than luxury fashion.