The Varadero Experience: Buying Italian-Made Eyewear Online

Buying eyewear online should tell you more, not less, than a display case does. You cannot pick a frame up, so everything else has to be clear: what it is made of, who made it, exactly how big it is, and what happens if it does not suit you. Here is how that works at Varadero.

What we make, and where

Varadero is an independent label, not a licensed name printed on someone else's frame. Our frames are designed in-house and handcrafted in Italy from two materials: Mazzucchelli acetate — a dense, hand-polished plant-based material that holds color and depth in a way injection-moulded plastic cannot — and titanium, for frames built to be light, hypoallergenic, and quietly strong.

The range is deliberately small. Gaviota and Atlas are acetate silhouettes; Capri and Flamingo are titanium. Each is offered as sunglasses and as an optical frame, so you can wear the same design in the sun and at your desk.

Sunglasses and optical frames — what you receive

Our sunglasses arrive complete with finished tinted lenses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays to the UV400 standard. Nothing further is required — they are ready to wear.

Our eyeglasses ship as prescription-ready optical frames: your own optician glazes them to your prescription, which means you keep your existing eyecare relationship and your lens choices stay yours. We do not currently offer prescription sun lenses.

Getting the fit right from home

Frame size is the part most people skip, and it is the part that decides whether a frame feels right. Every product page lists the measurements — lens width, bridge width, and temple length, in millimeters — along with the face size each silhouette suits best.

The quickest way to use them: find a pair of glasses you already own and like, look for the numbers printed on the inside of the temple arm, and compare. Within two or three millimeters of a frame that already suits you is almost always a good fit. Our optician's guide to how glasses should fit covers what to check once they arrive. If you are unsure, email hola@varaderovision.com — a licensed optician reads that inbox and will tell you honestly whether a frame suits your measurements.

Shipping and returns

We ship across the United States. FedEx Ground is free on every order, FedEx 2Day is $19.99, and FedEx Standard Overnight is $29.99. Orders are returnable within 10 days of delivery in original condition — full details are in our refund policy and shipping policy. Some styles are offered as pre-orders with an estimated ship date shown on the product page; those are covered by our pre-order and cancellation policy.

Where to start

If you already know the category, start with men's sunglasses, women's sunglasses, men's eyeglasses, or women's eyeglasses. If you would rather see the signature pieces gathered in one place, the featured collection holds the four sunglasses silhouettes alongside the limited Watch & See set. And if you would rather understand the brand first, read why Varadero exists or our guide to buying glasses and sunglasses online.