Why Did Oakley Decide To Go So Square And Never Turn Back?

[Dennis82]

In the 90s Oakley was THE leader in the round lens, smooth style wrap sunglasses. Now most of their glasses are square..what gives?

 

[qtrain23]

Um I'm gonna guess sales trends.

 

[Dennis82]

Um I'm gonna guess sales trends.

That's exactly what confuses me though, THEY're the trendsetters, the one that people will see Oakley making something and want it because it's Oakley and different.

 

[Rustpot]

And Square O started outselling 90's styled wrap shades. So they made more. And those outsold by an even larger margin.

There's still some killer pairs on the shelves. The styling might not be particularly ballsy, such as Splice, Plate, Scar, etc, but the more outlandish designs were not money makers.

If Oakley sells 100 pairs in a year, 90 of them will be 'safe' designs as to what current fashion trends are. Right now bold colors and retro blocky themes are cool and consume en masse. So we get fugly pairs like the Breadbox with Jade Iridium lenses.

Several members who see events with high sales or work retail have mentioned seeing these trends. Big Tacos and Holbrooks sell faster than Oakley can stock them and pairs like the Valve and Straight Jacket are seen as old generic pairs from last decade.

 

[qtrain23]

That's exactly what confuses me though, THEY're the trendsetters, the one that people will see Oakley making something and want it because it's Oakley and different.

I'm gonna say false

 

[qtrain23]

And Square O started outselling 90's styled wrap shades. So they made more. And those outsold by an even larger margin.

There's still some killer pairs on the shelves. The styling might not be particularly ballsy, such as Splice, Plate, Scar, etc, but the more outlandish designs were not money makers.

If Oakley sells 100 pairs in a year, 90 of them will be 'safe' designs as to what current fashion trends are. Right now bold colors and retro blocky themes are cool and consume en masse. So we get fugly pairs like the Breadbox with Jade Iridium lenses.

Several members who see events with high sales or work retail have mentioned seeing these trends. Big Tacos and Holbrooks sell faster than Oakley can stock them and pairs like the Valve and Straight Jacket are seen as old generic pairs from last decade.

And this.

 

[OakleyGuru379]

"It's hip to be square"

-Huey Lewis

 

[Deleted member 24]

Square is better thats why

 

[Ventruck]

Like said already, it's to cater to popular demand. From a business standpoint, that's just the smart thing to do. Same reason why Toyota and Honda shifted their attention away from sports cars for a long while.

The only ways Oakley can really sell something bold is if it's sports-oriented (because function would take before aesthetic for the consumer) or a real collector's item. But that being said, the CB is kinda...ugh.

 

[STavros]

Better square cause round do not fit me.Lol