Sunglasses are more than just an accessory for fashion and sports. They’re also crucial for UV protection. That makes it hard to find shades that can do it all—but Oakley manages to outperform itself time and time again. Globally, it leads an eyewear market worth more than $125 billion. In fact, Oakley only comes second to Ray-Ban as an industry leader, and for good reason.
With sleek, stylish designs made to endure, Oakley’s range of sunglasses has mastered the art of walking the fine line between performance and aesthetic appeal. If the eyewear label is known for one thing, however, it’s how it also adds its own unique brand of quirkiness to every model it releases—and its spanking new launch, Plantaris, is no exception.
First teased in July 2024, this new collection made headlines for its distinctive appearance, as well as the promise of the high quality that characterizes all of Oakley’s eyewear. Now that it’s out, it’s even quirkier than we could have expected given the brand’s previous releases. Here’s why…
From high sports performance…
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Of course, not all of the brand’s sunglasses come in unconventional designs. As seen on OPSM, many of the bestselling Oakley sunglasses actually look pretty standard. The Holbrook, for instance, uses traditional rectangular frames reminiscent of the Wayfarer. Meanwhile, the Contrail is a sleeker and slightly more angular take on the classic Aviator, something that made it perfect for high-fashion events like the launch of the Fenty x Puma collection at New York Fashion Week 2018. What all of the brand’s eyewear does have, though, are design features specifically aimed at enhancing sports performance.
Oakley leverages a number of patented technologies across its models. Its PRIZM polarized lenses can block the sun’s glare while simultaneously enhancing color and contrast, further improving what you see. Meanwhile, its O Matter frames are made from a nylon composite that’s exceptionally flexible and durable, allowing for a lightweight feel, comfortable wear, and improved longevity. To top it all off, Oakley’s eyewear is categorized for use in different sports, with models like the Encoder Strike and Leffingwell boasting specific features optimized for cycling and surfing, respectively.
As such, it’s no surprise that many a professional athlete more than just own a pair of Oakleys—some also take on the mantle of Oakley brand ambassador to promote their benefits to fellow sports enthusiasts. Such is the case for surfing legend Ethan Ewing. In 2022, he joined Oakley’s ‘Be Who You Are’ campaign—with the express goal of inspiring the country’s next generation of professional surfers.
Those same design principles carry over to Plantaris. Each pair in the collection comes with O Matter frames and PRIZM lenses as well as a high-wrap dual lens design, providing maximum coverage and comfort. At the same time, they leverage wire core temple tips that mimic frog legs to perfectly hug the contours of your face—without you feeling like you’re wearing anything at all. If that doesn’t clue you in on how quirky these Plantaris shades are, keep reading:
…to eye-catching, outlandish designs
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Credit: @oakley on Instagram
Of course, Oakley’s best eyewear innovations extend from the useful to the eccentric. In fact, many of the Oakleys sported by professional athletes come in notable—if not outrageous—designs. That’s especially apparent when looking back on past Olympics, where plenty of unique Oakley models have gone viral.
Tokyo 2020, for instance, saw sprinters Kevin Borlée and Andre DeGrasse sporting the Oakley Zeus. The brand’s latest release at the time, it comes with a unique frame inspired by the kabuto, a samurai helmet. However, arguably the most memorable Oakley frames worn during the Olympics can be seen in the OVERTHETOP model, which was worn by track athlete Ato Boldon at the Games 20 years earlier and is still fondly remembered for its truly over-the-top design. Aside from turning heads with its bright red lenses, its frames reached not just from the eyes to the temples, but also along the back of the head.
The brand’s new Plantaris collection builds on that legacy by drawing on Oakley’s connection with nature. Coming in unconventional colorways such as Matte Stonewash, Matte Sand, and Matte Black, its nature-inspired sunglasses look almost like a frog leaping in midair. What truly stands out, however, is the detachable nose guard that accompanies every pair. Dark gray in color and coming with a few slits for extra ventilation, these guards ensure an even snugger fit—perfectly complementing the grippy, frog leg-inspired split arms we mentioned earlier.
Though they look almost alien, Oakley’s new Plantaris sunglasses are designed to look good on pretty much anyone and help them stand out from the crowd. Given that, it’s safe to say that the collection hit Oakley’s goal of a sunglasses release that imbues wearers with a spirit of adventure and encourages them to embrace their wild side. With the organic shapes and penchant for biomimicry it exhibits, though, the range marks a new direction compared to the brand’s previous innovative designs—making it definitely quirkier than we could have ever imagined!
Published by HOLR Magazine.