Cockpits are now made in China. Once upon a time not too long ago, just maybe three years dated back to the Pre-Obama era, an American Man could simply walk into a Rayban store and purchase a pair of aviators. In the back of his mind he knew that he was wearing an American Icon dating back to the GI's who fought for this great country. I still remember my first aviator purchase, the Beverly Hills Sales person spent 30 minutes with me and we picked the perfect shape, blade and lens color. I knew this would be my final sunglass purchase forever, my $130 glasses outdid any Tom Fords, Persols, etc. At $130 I had reached the threshold at which anything greater spent would be a simple rehash of the "Law of Diminishing Rate of Marginal Returns" from my sophmore Econ class.
I still remember the look of envy from many passers-by. Kind of like you have when you see a person in aWhite Hanes V-neck tee that just fits him right, or the perfect Redwing boot that has age so well and becomes the perfect compliment to all denim.
Unfortunately, I had to order a new pair of cockpits two months ago because the originals were stolen. When I received the replacements the first impression was the case unlike the original, was a piece of shit. However, I went on like these were the replacements for the originals. From my daily wear they felt different, lighter and inferior to my original purchase. It was not until a recent cleaning that I noticed on the arm stampeded "Made in China".
What a let down, Ray Ban soon will become a joke of a brand and anybody wearing their glasses will be considered a tool!
![lol8[1].gif](http://files.styleforum.net/images/smilies/lol8%5B1%5D.gif)
but your comment regarding the frame color has finally crystallized what was nagging me about them. Now, I'm glad that I didn't pull the trigger. Thanks.
