Table of Contents
About Illesteva
Okay, let’s talk sunglasses. Shaders of the bright light in the sky, guardians of the eyeballs. Sunnies on, ‘cause it’s time for our Illesteva sunglasses review.
The brand sells high-end, Italian-made sunglasses, prescription glasses, sunglasses with prescriptions, and accessories to accompany their selection of specs.
They’re one of the most trusted eyewear brands worldwide, backed up by their clout in Forbes, NYLON, New York Magazine, Cosmopolitan, and numerous other media outlets. With a following of 325k on Instagram and nearly 880k on Facebook, Illesteva is the real deal.
This Illesteva sunglasses review will make it our mission to show you the ins and outs of the brand: bestsellers, pros and cons, customer testimonials, shipping and returns info, and other FAQs on your noggin that need answering before their glasses can sit on your nose.
Overview of Illesteva
In the fall of 2010, NYC man Daniel Silberman launched this worldwide success. As a small artistic vision, Illesteva was born from inspiration in Italy. Silberman’s admiration of artisans there was the spark.
One said artisan was Luigi Esteva, whose name and love of Casablanca’s Ilsa led to the birth of “Illesteva,” the brand.
The main driving force behind the company is, in their own words, “to modernize the idea of a simple pair of glasses.”
Most importantly, they didn’t want customers to have to choose between style and functionality, as is the case for many an eyewear company, and certainly the case for designer brands that neglect the practical use of their eyewear.
Illesteva stepped onto the scene to make a scene. To be different. To shake things up and give people high-end, designer glasses that look good and work well too.
Where they’re at today is in the Illesteva Soho, NYC headquarters. But the products themselves are manufactured with quality materials in Italy and France.
They not only exist online but in person, too. The Illesteva Miami, Soho, Venice, Upper East Side, and other tangible, IRL stores are available for you to explore with your very own glass-bound eyes.
And now we present to you some bird’s-eye highlights for the brand’s buy-ability:
Highlights
- High-end sunglasses with optional prescriptions for men and women
- Positive customer reviews attesting great quality
- 2-year warranty on frames
- Free returns
- In-person stores and online options
- International shipping available
- Pay in instalments with Zip
So, FYI: the glasses are designed to not only be stylish but also to do their job and, while doing their job, sit naturally and comfortably on your sniffer, allowing you to see the world shadier and/or clearer without being bothered by how it fits.
Most of the designs share the same materials: acetate lenses and stainless steel frames.
Especially when it comes to something like glasses, you really shouldn’t have to worry about how it feels—just how it looks, on the inside and out. That’s basically the raison d’être of the brand, anyhow.
Also, one more thing we want you to know going into our Illesteva sunglasses review: all the frames have a 2-year warranty that gives you the chance to have your glasses resuscitated if they die young.
Illesteva Men’s Sunglasses Review
Illesteva men’s sunglasses come in a variety of styles for a variety of you. These two models are bestselling, so keep an eye out for ‘em.
Illesteva Milan II Sunglasses Review
Illesteva Milan II Sunglasses don’t literally fly you to Milan, but they’re made in Italy and inspired by Italian style, so they come close enough.
The stainless steel frame and rounded acetate lenses are classic but sturdy, and you can choose your own adventure with the color options ranging from cool All Black/Grey to fun and bright Light Tortoise/Blue Mirror.
You may or may not wonder why these are Milan II and not just plain old Milan, and that’s because this one is bigger at 54mm, which is 5mm more than the OG Milan. They’re most highly recommended for oval faces.
Get the Milan II Sunglasses on sale now for these prices, depending on your needs:
- No Prescription – $190 sale price, originally $300
- Single Vision – $302 sale price, originally $412
- Single Vision with Hi-Index Lenses – $318 sale price, originally $428
- Polarized Lenses (Custom Made) – $270 sale price, originally $380
Heads up: if you’re feelin’ the Milan wave, make sure to check out the Illesteva Milan III, too. Options, people. Options.
Illesteva Murdoch Sunglasses Review
Illesteva Murdoch Sunglasses are a more vintage-inspired pair. They’re classic, but weirdly feel modern still, as if this exact vintage vibe is perfect for the now. Fashion is a revolving door, as they say.
The lenses are acetate and rounded but squarish. Available in Clear/Brown, Matte Black/Grey, or Matte Tortoise/Grey, these are cool but lowkey glasses that get the job done, what else can we say?
For $220, the yesteryear-inspired Murdoch Sunglasses can be yours for those hot and sunny days.
Illesteva Women’s Sunglasses Review
Illesteva women’s sunglasses are also just as varied as the men’s. There are lots of different styles and accommodations for whatever you need, girlfriend. Just sus out these customer favorites below.
Illesteva Boca II Sunglasses Review
Illesteva Boca II Sunglasses are a lightweight, comfy pair made using stainless steel and an accentuated nose bridge that sits on your face lightly, without intrusion.
The vibe with the Boca style is fabulous, classic, and summer. The lenses have a bit of a cat-eye thing going on, but not over-the-top.
The frames around the lenses are thick and bold while the stainless steel remains lightweight and trendy.
Available in 6 different color choices that all retain the mysterious femme fatale Hollywood glam, you can buy the Boca II Sunglasses for $110 while it’s on sale or for the usual price of $220.
Illesteva Lisbon Sunglasses Review
Illesteva Lisbon Sunglasses are the pair for you if you like thinking outside the box. Or, in this case, outside the rounded boxes of typical sunglasses lens shape.
What we’re trying to say here is that the Lisbon has a cool, almost geometric design with lenses that are neither square nor round. The frames are more sharp and straight than other designs, making for a unique look that is somewhere between the 1950s and 3000s.
Price-wise, here’s where they stand:
- No Prescription – $240
- Single Vision – $352
- Single Vision with Hi-Index Lenses – $363
- Polarized Lenses (Custom Made) – $320
Illesteva Palm Beach Sunglasses Review
Illesteva Palm Beach Sunglasses have round acetate lenses for the round-faced out there. The arms are a shiny gold that is still dainty-looking even in its sturdiness and durability.
These ones come in 5 awesome colors, including one with bright pink lenses that would be a fabulous addition to anyone’s beach bag.
Whether or not you’re taking them to the shore, how much would you pay for Palm Beach Sunglasses? We’ve got you covered with all the deets:
- No Prescription – $130 sale price, originally $240
- Single Vision – $290 sale price, originally $400
- Single Vision with Hi-Index Lenses – $306 sale price, originally $416
Illesteva Hamilton Sunglasses Review
Illesteva Hamilton Sunglasses are more futuristic rather than looking back at the past for inspo.
With round square lenses, thick 4mm temples holding them, and a bold frame because of the width, this design is sure to make you stand out from the regular sunglasses crowd.
Plus, as a bonus win for you, the 3-barrel hinge gives you extra comfort and sturdy reliability for $80 on sale or $220 normally.
Illesteva Leonard Sunglasses Review
Illesteva Leonard Sunglasses are a staple and a signature for the brand. They’re just classic enough to be safe and just different enough to be bold. All at the same time.
Combining inspiration from past and present style, mostly inspired by the “laid-back New Yorker” archetype, Leonard has rounded lenses plus a comfort-first nose bridge, 3-barrel hinge, and acetate temples with a generous width.
It’s available in so many color choices, including more classic looks like Tortoise/Grey or more out-there options like the Pink Lemonade/Silver Mirror Gradient.
Whichever you choose, the brand recommends that the frame design is best suited for square faces.
Prices are as follows:
- No Prescription – $177
- Single Vision – $289
- Single Vision with Hi-Index Lenses – $305
- Polarized Lenses (Custom Made) – $257
Illesteva Leonard II E Sunglasses Review
Meet Illesteva Leonard 2: the sequel. These are the Leonard Sunglasses for people who want extra comfort because these have the added benefit of a lower nose bridge and thinner temples that make the viewing experience more lightweight and not-even-there.
The Leonard II E Sunglasses are available in a bunch of color choices that you can seize for:
- No Prescription – $240
- Single Vision – $352
- Single Vision with Hi-Index Lenses – $368
- Polarized Lenses (Custom Made) – $320
Who Is Illesteva For?
It’s simple, really. Illesteva is for:
- Men
- Women
- Kids
- Those who need prescriptions
- Those who need shade from that bright yellow orb up above
- Those who need both prescription and also shade from that bright yellow orb up above
- Anyone who wants to look chic
Comparison: Illesteva vs. Ray-Ban
The next step in our Illesteva sunglasses review is a one-on-one showdown between our featured brand and a fellow company. And what better competitor to compare Illesteva to than Ray-Ban?
First, 3 similarities:
- High-end sunglasses and prescription glasses for a variety of people
- Customizable designs
- Designs often take inspiration from fashion of the past
Now, get ready for these 3 differences that tear them apart. Ray-Ban has:
- More options
- Free shipping on all orders
- Style is more basic, less high fashion
Ray-Ban is probably better for people who aren’t looking for the type of unique, ooh-la-la designs on Illesteva. The cool, modern, but vintage and classic designs offered by our brand of the hour (Illesteva) are more fashion-forward.
Ray-Ban has more basic, straightforward designs, but they also have more designs. If you like options, they’ve got more of those. But if you love a unique, chic look, you’ll find more of that from Illesteva.
Illesteva Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
To make our Illesteva sunglasses review fair, we have to consult the true experts: customers.
Let’s take a look at the things people are saying about the brand and their products on external sites since the brand site doesn’t post reviews: Facebook, Bloomingdale’s, and Amazon, all places where informative reviews have been conveniently dropped in our laps.
On Facebook, the brand has 65 people that gave them an average of 5/5 stars. A perfect score, but why?
Fans of the brand are super big fans of the fashionista extraordinaire designs. One Illesteva sunglasses review wrote:
“Fantastic looking. They are a nod to the eyewear worn by the stars of the golden era and the 50’s. Not too big but certainly do the trick as to covering the eye area!! I am also pleased that my prescription can be added!”
Then there’s the praise for customer service, calling the help they received from reps “excellent” and “sweet” and attentive, everything you could want in a CS experience, we suppose.
Plus, it’s also nice to hear that customers who loved their new sunnies outright say it’s worth the hit to your wallet:
“Some might think that they cost too much, however once you see how good they are the cost is nothing.”
Lastly, people write that the glasses are “superb quality” and bound to get you “so many compliments” when you’re out and about on a sunny day—or even on a non-sunny day, because work it.
On Bloomingdale’s site, where people could snatch themselves up gorg pairs like the Illesteva Milan 3, customers are leaving reviews about their purchases.
The Leonard Mirrored Round Sunglasses have a 4.9/5 star rating from 29 raving customers. People are simply loving the colors that just “pop” on that “really well made,” “sturdy” frame.
Also, something that could def be a make-or-break is the comfort level. Most customers recommend the brand because it designs glasses that aren’t too tight on your face in an annoying or even painful way. Instead, they’re chilling on your face, just helping you out, partner.
And probably the main compliment buyers have for the glasses is the style that is described as “versatile,” “super fun for summer,” “sharp looking,” and a ready provider of “flair.”
There’s also of course the actual functionality of the product, with customers saying it provides “clear protection from the sun,” thank darkness.
Another highly rated bestseller, the Leonard Round Sunglasses, sits at 4.7/5 stars from 15 customers’ reviews. These ones are described as “secure” and the “perfect size and shape for slim faces.”
Accessible and inclusive, Illesteva designs models where the “color goes with all skin and hair colors,” so everyone can enjoy a universally attractive functional-fashion piece.
Over on Amazon, customers say the Illesteva Mirrored Leonard Sunglasses are “perfectly fancy and fun,” obsessed with their chic new shades and, on average, rating it 4.4/5 stars (from 12 ratings). sunglasses-enthusiasts love the “great quality” and “cool design.”
One even appreciated the fact that, despite them being advertised as women’s sunglasses, they could also be a “unisex model” accessible to any/all gender expressions, which is pretty cool.
Another fan of the shades said these complimentary words involving a touch of crime but ultimately a happy ending:
“I love the sunglasses. I love them so much that mine were stolen last week and I ordered a new pair. Great quality, great shipping, and stunning and beautiful. Thank you”
Customers loved how “very cool and modern” not to mention how “very comfortable and light on the face” the Leonard Sunglasses are.
One slightly more critical Illesteva sunglasses review of the Leonard loved the frame but needed to exchange them once to get the perfect color combination, as the first pair was a little too vibrant. Luckily, with the great customer service, that wasn’t a hassle whatsoever.
On other pairs sold on Amazon, like the Lisbon Sunglasses, customers raved, saying things like, “They are exactly what I was hoping for!” exclamation enthusiasm included.
The Madison Sunglasses had wearers testifying that the color “pops without being too much. The shape and quality are great also!” Triple win.
What have we learned from all these customer reviews on Illesteva? People are overwhelmingly obsessed with these glasses.
They’ve got style, they’ve got versatility, they’ve got flair, they’ve got comfort, and they’ve got a bigger price tag, sure, but it’s worth it in the end, according to customers.
Is Illesteva Worth It?
Verdict: worth it.
With all the information gathered today, the court has decided that the brand’s amazing glowing reviews, reputation for high-end quality, celebrity-worn status, the priority of comfort along with chic style, and international shipping all spell out a resounding Y-E-S.
Plus, if you don’t like what you get in the mail from them, you at least have the assurance of free returns if you live in the US. No pain, no gain.
The only real downside to Illesteva is that they’re a pricey brand, but if you wanna treat yourself, why not treat yourself to some new fancy eyewear?
Illesteva Promotions & Discounts
Our Illesteva sunglasses review has sad news to report: we couldn’t find much as far as promos go.
Right now, they’re having a Sample Sale with select products up to 60% off, and they could be having a different sale by the time you’re reading this, but other than that? We got nothing.
Tip: follow their social media to keep up on the latest deals when they appear.
Where to Buy Illesteva
Great news: you don’t have limited options for where to spend your money.
You can buy Illesteva from:
- Illesteva.com
- Amazon
- Bloomingdale’s
- Saks Fifth Avenue
- Neiman Marcus
- The in-person Illesteva stores in Miami, NYC, or LA
(And more fancy department stores and eyewear stores galore.)
FAQ
Who founded Illesteva?
Daniel Silberman is the founder of Illesteva.
Where is Illesteva made?
A delightful thing that our Illesteva sunglasses review discovered was the transparency about where their products are made, a rare find with most brands.
They say right up front that their luxury, high-class eyewear is manufactured in Italy and France. Ooh la la.
What is Illesteva’s Shipping Policy?
For the shipping policy, Illesteva delivers to the US and international customers, but fees and shipping methods differ.
In the US, you’ve got Domestic Ground Shipping:
- $8 flat fee
- Free for orders over $125
- 3-5 business days processing time
- 3-7 business days delivery
- If your order includes a prescription, it’ll take up to 10 more business days to arrive
Illesteva also ships internationally, but these orders don’t qualify for the free shipping minimum, so the flat fees are:
- Canada – $10
- Everywhere else – $39
International delivery times will vary depending on where in the world you are.
What is Illesteva’s Return Policy?
Illesteva allows returns within 10 days if said returned product is unworn and unused.
If you live in the States, good news: it’s free! International returners, you do pay a fee for return shipping.
To process a return, just email customer service. Or, instead of the full refund, you can give Illesteva glasses a second chance by getting an exchange through a refund of store credit.
Alternatively, if your glasses have broken after using them and not when they initially arrived, don’t panic: the frames have a 2-year warranty that allows for insurance for repairs. You just have to hit up customer service by email with photos of the repair-needing pair.
How to Contact Illesteva
We’ve reached the end of our Illesteva sunglasses review and are sad to see you go, but we’re sending you off with contact info for the brand themselves. If you’re feeling like you need some more Qs answered or need help, the company does customer service by two email options:
- General inquiries: [email protected]
- Order/repair/etc inquiries: [email protected]
Their hours are Monday to Thursday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Fridays 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
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