How to Spot Authentic Designer Frames

Counterfeit eyewear is a real problem, especially when shopping online or from unauthorized sellers. Here's what to check before you buy a pair of "designer" frames.

Check the price against the market

If a price seems too good to be true for a well-known luxury brand, it usually is. Authentic designer frames have a real cost to produce and distribute — even at outlet pricing, there's a floor below which a genuine pair simply can't be sold profitably.

Look at the branding and engraving

Authentic frames have precise, clean laser engraving — usually on the inside of the temple arm — showing the brand name, model number, size, and sometimes a serial number. Counterfeit engraving is often shallow, smudged, or inconsistent in font.

Inspect the materials and finish

Genuine designer frames use high-grade acetate or metal alloys with a smooth, even finish. Look closely at hinges, screws, and joints — authentic frames have tight, precise hardware, while counterfeits often have visible glue, rough edges, or hinges that feel loose.

Ask where it came from

This is the simplest check of all: buy from a retailer that can tell you exactly where their inventory comes from. We buy directly from authorized distributors — not grey-market resellers — which is exactly how we're able to offer authentic frames at up to 70% off retail without cutting corners on authenticity.

Check the lenses

Authentic designer sunglasses typically include the brand's logo etched subtly into one lens, along with a UV protection sticker that lists the actual UV rating (not just "100% UV protection" with no other detail).

When in doubt, ask an optician

A licensed optician who works with designer eyewear daily can usually tell within seconds whether a frame is genuine. If you already own a pair you're unsure about, bring it into our Ajax optical store and we're happy to take a look.

Shop with confidence

Every frame at Designer Eyewear Outlet is quality-checked by our licensed opticians before it's sold at our Ajax optical store, serving shoppers from Pickering, Whitby, and across Durham Region. Browse our designer frames or see the brands we carry.