Founded in 2014, Meller is the sunglasses brand you’ve likely seen all over your social media feeds. The Barcelona-born label has fast become synonymous with 90’s-era minimalism.
Sitting at the mid-range point of the market, Meller’s unisex frames are more robust than sunglasses on the high street, with good UV protection, but affordable enough to justify a haul. Frames cost £49, but the brand nearly always has a two-for-one offer on.
Its bestselling sunglasses – including the bandwagon, Nia and no biggie – combine everyday wearability with flattering shapes. With hundreds of designs available, there’s a pair for everyone.
From oversized frames that create impact to elongating cat eye or classic black designs, Meller’s sunglasses cross that generational divide. Gen Z’s would gravitate towards the Brat-girl esque Ade pair while their mother would reach for the sophisticated Oza or Lua sunnies.
Forget flimsy, plastic sunglasses – Meller’s line is constructed using French polycarbonate and handmade acetate. Sustainability is at the brand’s core, with some collections using bio-based materials and recycled plastics. Of course, UV protection comes first – and being a fashion statement is second. All its lenses offer UV400 protection, which provides 100 per cent protection against ultra violet rays.
Despite years of targeted ads and buying Meller sunglasses as birthday gifts for friends, I’d never actually tried a pair myself. So, to find out if Meller is worth the hype, I took five pairs of sunglasses with me on a trip to Australia.
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Meller Lua sunglasses
UV protection: UV400
Colourways: Maroon, black, tortoiseshell
Why we love it
- Flattering shape
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Anti-glare lenses
With their oval shape and maroon tone, Meller’s Lua sunglasses are universally flattering. Lightweight and comfortable, the arms don’t dig in behind your ears, while the generously sized lenses offer ample protection from the sun’s rays. Designed with UV400 protection, the polarised lenses are anti-glare and provide sharp vision (each pair comes with a cleaning cloth, too).
Buy now £49, Mellerbrand.com
Meller Rami sunglasses
UV protection: UV400
Colourways: Black, black/brown, maroon brown, tigris brown, tigris carbon, chocolate kakao
Why we love it
- Androgynous style
- Flattering shape
- Lightweight and comfortable
My partner and I have been sharing these shades, which are perfectly androgynous. The Rami frames are available in classic black with a timeless rectangular silhouette. Slightly streamlined, they’re a flattering shape for round faces, as they lengthen your features.
Achieving a quiet luxury look, the Meller logo is inconspicuous on the arms, while the lenses have a slight navy tint. Lightweight and comfortable, you can almost forget you’re wearing them.
Buy now £49, Mellerbrand.com
Meller Ade sunglasses
UV protection: UV400
Colourways: Black, camel/orange
Why we love it
- Make a statement
- Scratch resistant
- Good coverage from the sun
Take note
- Wrap-around style not for everyone
We can safely thank Charli XCX for making wrap-around style sunglasses cool again. The eyewear version of the ‘ugly’ dad shoe trend, the Ade’s aren’t necessarily flattering, but create a statement.
The black frame features orange-tone lenses that offer maximum UV protection and an anti-scratch coating. This was tested when they spent weeks loose in my bag while travelling around Australia – there’s not a scratch in sight. The wrap-around design also offers more coverage from the sun.
Buy now £49, Mellerbrand.com
Meller Dumi sunglasses
UV protection: UV400
Colourways: Gold olive
Why we love it
- Flattering gold frame
- Comfortable fit
- Lightweight
Take note
- This style is not for everyone
I’ve found the Dumi frames are a bit marmite – friends have either compared them to Kendall Jenner or Ozzy Osbourne’s signature style. I’m in the former camp. The 90’s inspired silhouette is effortlessly cool, characterised by tortoiseshell arms, a gold frame that complements gold jewellery nicely and rectangular lenses with an olive tint. The sunnies add retro flair to any outfit, with nose pads ensuring a comfortable fit.
They might not be to everyone’s tastes, but you can’t deny their practicality – with 100 per cent UV protection lenses, a lightweight feel and anti-scratch coating.
Buy now £49, Mellerbrand.com
Meller Oza sunglasses
UV protection: UV400
Colourways: Brown, black, tortoiseshell, maroon
Why we love it
- Flattering on smaller faces
- Lightweight
Take note
- Some rays sneak in through the top
A cat eye frame is timeless, offering 50’s-style elegance while simultaneously elongating and lengthening the face. Meller’s Oza pair are sophisticated and chic, but best suited to smaller faces owing to their demure size. If you’re in particularly sunny weather, you might find some rays sneak in through the top – but as a style statement, you can’t fault the Oza’s.
Finished in a wearable chocolate tone, the shades will compliment – and elevate – any outfit all-year-round. Owing to their compact size, the sunglasses are featherlight, too.
Buy now £49, Mellerbrand.com
Are Meller sunglasses worth it?
Meller’s sunglasses easily rival designer pairs, with my favourite pair being the Meller Lua. The trend-led designs help you create a statement with your eyewear, but the brand also sells plenty of timeless styles to appeal to every taste. For £49, the frames are lightweight and comfortable to wear, but feel robust and durable to withstand everything from late-night festivals to sunny and sandy holidays. Better yet, the brand nearly always has a two-for-one offer on – the code right now to take advantage is ‘SPRING2X1’. This means you’re paying just £25 each for two pairs – and you can’t argue with that.
How I tested Meller sunglasses
Testing each pair in sunny weather conditions, I assessed their comfort, the protection they offered, how flattering they were on and whether Meller’s sunglasses offer good value for money.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Daisy Lester is a senior shopping writer at The Independent who specialises in reviewing fashion. From the best trench coats and ballet flats to wedding guest dresses and comfortable bras, she can identify what pieces are worth your money. Daisy looks for fashion and accessories that combine everyday practicality and comfort with innovative style. You can rest assured that everything she picks is a great investment for your wardrobe.
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