Australian Members

aussiejake · Apr 28, 2013

Journeyman said:
Nike Free Run, baby!

Still, the great thing about having a wide choice of running shoes is that different brands suit different feet. I personally don't like the feel and fit of Brooks shoes, but I've got a friend who runs marathons and he swears by them.

Ah the Nike Free Runs, the Toyota Camry of the running shoe world. Safe, popular, not all that impressive, but a good entry level running shoe.

The False Prophet · Apr 28, 2013

aussiejake said:
Implying they were expensive? You buy them in store or online? I'm more of a Saucony Kinvara 3 kind of guy.

Let's just say you get a lot more leather for our money!

I bought them at a specialist store: I actually went there looking for Kinvara 3s and asked to try one other model as well (New Balance with Vibram sole, forget what they're called). The dude brought me the Asics by accident, as the latter two were side by side and both neon yellow.

I had a bit of a run around in each, as well as the Brooks Pure something-or-other, and the Asics took it by the nose, slightly better for my arches than the Kinvara, and a bit more cushioning which almost made me forget my buggered knee.

I didn't mind paying a bit extra as a) it's a family business, and b) the service was superb. Plus I get my new toy now rather than whenever DHL can be bothered...

Dusty Brogues · Apr 28, 2013

fxh said:
http://www.baileynelson.com.au/optical/mens-optical

FXH thanks for the heads up and delivering. They also appear to offer a "try before you buy", which is quite enticing.... Anyone have experience with Bailey Nelson?

smeggett · Apr 28, 2013

fxh said:
http://www.baileynelson.com.au/optical/mens-optical

Jumping on the bandwagon here - thanks fxh for posting the details of this site. They certainly look to be providing decent eyewear at a price which wont bring tears to ones eyes.

Unfortunately my myopia is such that they do not yet make lenses to suit, which is a shame 'cos they have some quite decent frames available. I might make a call during the week to see if there is any possibility of them grinding lenses which a sphere greater than -6 anytime in the near future.

fxh · Apr 28, 2013

smeggett said:
Jumping on the bandwagon here - thanks fxh for posting the details of this site. They certainly look to be providing decent eyewear at a price which wont bring tears to ones eyes.

Unfortunately my myopia is such that they do not yet make lenses to suit, which is a shame 'cos they have some quite decent frames available. I might make a call during the week to see if there is any possibility of them grinding lenses which a sphere greater than -6 anytime in the near future.

iirc they will supply the frames and you get your optometrist to do lenses etc - I think they might be able to put you in touch with optometrists who wont get shirty for using other frames.

Pink Socks · Apr 28, 2013

Dusty Brogues said:
FXH thanks for the heads up and delivering. They also appear to offer a "try before you buy", which is quite enticing.... Anyone have experience with Bailey Nelson?

I have no need for glasses, thankfully, but looks like the offer great options for sunglasses too.

$95 with polarised lenses seems good value for money. Plenty of nice styles. Will bear this place in mind.

If anyone uses them it would be good to hear feedback.

Romp · Apr 28, 2013

Dusty Brogues said:
FXH thanks for the heads up and delivering. They also appear to offer a "try before you buy", which is quite enticing.... Anyone have experience with Bailey Nelson?

Christian Kimber was telling me about this place today. Look amazing for $95... I think quite a few places are steadily trying to break the Luxottica monopoly now days which is good. In a way Luxottica have created it's own undoing by having absurdly high prices for so long that any new place now appears "cheap"

I'm going to get 5 trial pairs this week to check quality... Christian has a pair of the sunnies and looked decent

thebrownman · Apr 28, 2013

Bailey Nelson essentially looks like an Australian equivalent to the US's Warby Parker. $95 is fair for frames of this calibre. I agree that the Luxotica monopoly on frames has made prices insanely high for brands with no emphasis on quality. I'm not saying Bailey Nelson don't have an emphasis on quality, but I'd like to know more about their acetate, how their hinges are attached, what process they use to polish the acetate, etc. There are many a short cut to be made in the process of making eyeglasses and there's a possibility, based on price alone, that some are being made with a brand like Bailey Nelson. This isn't necessarily a bad thing - it's just a matter of what one wants to pay for. I've spotted a few things in the pictures already that makes me not want them as eyeglasses, but happy to own as sunglasses. I'm not going to mention them because I think that the little things may dissuade others and this isn't my intention. But generally speaking, it's important to understand the compromises being made. I suppose an analogy is that they're the Meermin of the eyeglass world - you get great looking frames, but there's more to it than meets the eye.

Two years ago I first bought a pair of Cutler & Gross. They're expensive, too expensive even, but they **** all over other brands. And the details aren't something you notice until you inspect frames in your hands, but I appreciate that kind of thing in glasses.

Geoffrey Firmin · Apr 28, 2013

thebrownman said:
Bailey Nelson essentially looks like an Australian equivalent to the US's Warby Parker. $95 is fair for frames of this calibre. I agree that the Luxotica monopoly on frames has made prices insanely high for brands with no emphasis on quality. I'm not saying Bailey Nelson don't have an emphasis on quality, but I'd like to know more about their acetate, how their hinges are attached, what process they use to polish the acetate, etc. There are many a short cut to be made in the process of making eyeglasses and there's a possibility, based on price alone, that some are being made with a brand like Bailey Nelson. This isn't necessarily a bad thing - it's just a matter of what one wants to pay for. I've spotted a few things in the pictures already that makes me not want them as eyeglasses, but happy to own as sunglasses. I'm not going to mention them because I think that the little things may dissuade others and this isn't my intention. But generally speaking, it's important to understand the compromises being made. I suppose an analogy is that they're the Meermin of the eyeglass world - you get great looking frames, but there's more to it than meets the eye.

Two years ago I first bought a pair of Cutler & Gross. They're expensive, too expensive even, but they **** all over other brands. And the details aren't something you notice until you inspect frames in your hands, but I appreciate that kind of thing in glasses.

TBM

Agree with a lot of what your saying hinges in particular and the quality of acetate used in making the frames are a big consideration. The other is the grinding of lenses which is a killer cost wise. My lenses account for at least 5/8 of overall price and I have noticed, Sneaking Duck amongst others do not cater for those who require specific grinds above -5.8 for high index lenses.

I currently have two pairs of prescription glasses and sunnies plus an old pair where the acetate has clapped out I wear to the gym would like to get another pair this year. And with my eyes stable rotating through glasses does prolong the overall life of them.

Sigh i wonder if spectacles reverted to their utilitarian function rather than a personal statement or fashion accessory would the price of frames come down? (probably not)

Brooks Brothers and the Great Gatsby http://www.brooksbrothers.com/on/de...rch-Show?cgid=gatsby#thegreatgatsbycollection

Romp · Apr 28, 2013

thebrownman said:
Bailey Nelson essentially looks like an Australian equivalent to the US's Warby Parker. $95 is fair for frames of this calibre. I agree that the Luxotica monopoly on frames has made prices insanely high for brands with no emphasis on quality. I'm not saying Bailey Nelson don't have an emphasis on quality, but I'd like to know more about their acetate, how their hinges are attached, what process they use to polish the acetate, etc. There are many a short cut to be made in the process of making eyeglasses and there's a possibility, based on price alone, that some are being made with a brand like Bailey Nelson. This isn't necessarily a bad thing - it's just a matter of what one wants to pay for. I've spotted a few things in the pictures already that makes me not want them as eyeglasses, but happy to own as sunglasses. I'm not going to mention them because I think that the little things may dissuade others and this isn't my intention. But generally speaking, it's important to understand the compromises being made. I suppose an analogy is that they're the Meermin of the eyeglass world - you get great looking frames, but there's more to it than meets the eye.

Two years ago I first bought a pair of Cutler & Gross. They're expensive, too expensive even, but they **** all over other brands. And the details aren't something you notice until you inspect frames in your hands, but I appreciate that kind of thing in glasses.

The info on acetate and hinges is all on the site.. Let us know what you think TBM.. They say highest quality Italian acetate but does that mean anything?

The False Prophet · Apr 28, 2013

This is timely: I was looking at Persol but they seem to have doubled in price since last time I looked. I have some big black aviators, but they make me look like an asshole when worn with a suit...

lachyzee · Apr 28, 2013

For suits, I like the minimalism of the American Optical pilot, worn by such luminaries as Travis in Taxi Driver, Kilgore in Apocalypse Now, Don Draper, and The Mandarin in Iron Man 3 :embar:

*NB my last Persols cost $160 shipping on eBay. They aren't that expensive are they? Also try otticanet.

Orchie · Apr 28, 2013

Time to man up.... WIWT.

Plestor · Apr 28, 2013

Romp unless there is more information than

We use high end Italian acetates and teflon coated 5 sprung hinges. You may also note that each pair is subtly different in colour because they are each made of an individual peice of acetate.

This is much like "high end Italian suiting" e.g. not overly informative.

On the hinges its pretty clear just from online photos they're inferior to those used in C&G or say Nakymade. I'm not sure the shaping (and possibly the resulting ergonomics) is as refined either. As TBM mentioned in many cases (sunglasses) it may not be worth the up-charge and ymmv.

DartagnanRed · Apr 28, 2013

thebrownman said:
Bailey Nelson essentially looks like an Australian equivalent to the US's Warby Parker. $95 is fair for frames of this calibre. I agree that the Luxotica monopoly on frames has made prices insanely high for brands with no emphasis on quality. I'm not saying Bailey Nelson don't have an emphasis on quality, but I'd like to know more about their acetate, how their hinges are attached, what process they use to polish the acetate, etc. There are many a short cut to be made in the process of making eyeglasses and there's a possibility, based on price alone, that some are being made with a brand like Bailey Nelson. This isn't necessarily a bad thing - it's just a matter of what one wants to pay for. I've spotted a few things in the pictures already that makes me not want them as eyeglasses, but happy to own as sunglasses. I'm not going to mention them because I think that the little things may dissuade others and this isn't my intention. But generally speaking, it's important to understand the compromises being made. I suppose an analogy is that they're the Meermin of the eyeglass world - you get great looking frames, but there's more to it than meets the eye.

Two years ago I first bought a pair of Cutler & Gross. They're expensive, too expensive even, but they **** all over other brands. And the details aren't something you notice until you inspect frames in your hands, but I appreciate that kind of thing in glasses.

Before anyone goes down this route it would be great to know how Bailey Neslon compares to these guys:

1) http://www.oscarwylee.com.au/
2) http://www.sneakingduck.com/

This space is getting rapidly crowded out by competitors, as it probably should be, and each firm seems to compete on a very similar basis. Sneaking Duck has been around for a couple of years now and has a slightly different pricing structure. But overall guys there seems no excuses for trying each out, don't they all offer try before you buy services for multiple frames?

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