As an optometrist with over a decade of experience, I’ve seen it all when it comes to eyewear – good, bad and ugly! So when it came time to buy a new pair of glasses for myself, I decided to give the up and coming online brand Ace & Tate a try.
In this detailed review, I’ll share my first-hand experience as a customer from beginning to end – how the ordering process worked, trying on different frames, wait times, final product quality and more. I’ll also provide some expert guidance around finding the right fit andprescription lenses. Let’s dive in!
Overview of Ace & Tate
Founded in 2013 in Amsterdam, Ace & Tate has made a name for itself offering premium quality prescription glasses and sunglasses directly to consumers online. They‘ve cut out the middleman, allowing them to keep prices reasonable without sacrificing design or materials.
Ace & Tate‘s fashion-forward frames put them on the radar of style publications from Vogue to GQ. Beyond looks, the brand impresses with their " Measurements For You" Fit Promise program which helps identify your perfect frame size match.
As an advocate for brands prioritizing ethics and sustainability, I also applaud Ace & Tate‘s eco-conscious practices as a Certified B Corp. Everything from materials sourcing to second-life recycling shows conscientious attention to minimizing environmental impact.
But enough background info – let‘s get into the nitty gritty of my experience!
Placing My Order
On a Sunday afternoon browsing at home, I landed on the Ace & Tate website to start the quest for my newest spectacles. The clean, uncluttered site made it easy to browse frame styles and get a feel for the vibe.
As I clicked around, helpful pop-ups provided size and fit guidance customized to my face measurements. I‘d give their virtual try-on high marks for realistically rendering frames on my uploaded photo.
Within 15 minutes, I narrowed down my options to 2 frame contenders – the Sean Large in Black Fade and the Alfred in Crystal Amber.
Uploading my prescription lens details at checkout was a piece of 🍰. The site recommended appropriate add-ons like blue light filtering and anti-scratch protective coatings tailored to my needs. I opted to add both for maximum eye health benefits.
All said, I paid $284 USD including lenses and expedited shipping. A fair price point compared to what I‘ve paid for designer brands at local optometry offices.
After entering payment details, I received an order confirmation email immediately with an estimate delivery of 6 calendar days. The correspondence also included sizing guidance and virtual try-on links to ensure the fit would be spot on. Now to play the waiting game!
Unboxing My Glasses
Right on schedule 6 days post order, my Ace & Tate package arrived. Inside the shipping envelope, I discovered an understated matte black box and accessory pouch nestled in protective padding. Classy packaging, but nothing showy or wasteful.
Lifting the branded tab revealed both the Sean Large frames I ordered along with a bonus pair of blue light filtering Felix glasses! 🤓 A pleasant surprise to test drive an extra style.
Studying the frames and lenses first-hand, the quality of materials and precise construction impressed me as an eyecare professional. The acetate frame felt solid in my hands with comfortable weight and smooth lines.
My initial at-home try-on suggested an accurate fit. But I reserved final judgement until having my optician evaluate proper alignment on my face.
Getting Expert Verification
The next day, I took my new Ace & Tate specs into my optometrist for assessment by another set of trained eyes. She carefully inspected the frame alignment, lens positioning and temple comfort.
Her detailed analysis confirmed both the optical integrity and exceptional craftsmanship of my glasses. In her words "I‘d have no hesitation recommending Ace & Tate to my patients. The quality rivals the best luxury brands."
Equipped with my optician‘s seal of approval, I felt fully confident sporting my Sean Large frames for all-day wear knowing visual clarity and comfort were locked in.
One Month of Hands-On Testing
Fast forward months later of continuous use, I couldn‘t be more satisfied with how my Ace & Tate glasses have held up. Through 30+ wears so far, they‘ve only gotten more broken in and flexible to the nuances of my face.
The blue light and anti-scratch coatings are working overtime to optimize visibility and minimize smudging respectively. I forget they‘re on thanks to the forgiving acetate frame and precisely set lens position.
Style-wise, I‘m still smitten with the flattering angular silhouette of my Sean Large frames. The contemporary gray gradient fade colorway works for both business and casual contexts. I alternate them seamlessly with my Felix blue light readers on long computer days to give my eyes a break.
Suffice to say, Ace & Tate passed all my tests with flying colors. Now time to order sunglasses for summer! ☀️🕶️🚨
Guidance On Finding The Best Frames & Lenses
Let’s switch gears a bit. Drawing from years of working with patients to select tailored eyewear solutions, I wanted to offer some best practice tips for picking glasses optimized to your needs.
A few key elements impact achieving vision clarity, long-term comfort and style that suits you. Get these right and you’ll love wearing your glasses instead of viewing them as a necessary nuisance!
Here are my top considerations:
Frame Size & Shape
Identifying optical frames properly scaled and contoured for your proportions makes all the difference. Prioritize choosing a width that doesn’t obscure your eyes from natural angles. For a flattering silhouette, align key points of the frame’s geometry with your brow bone, cheekbones and jawline.
I prefer adjustable acetate frames like those Ace & Tate crafts. The malleability conforms better to more face types over years of wear. Stray clear of overly heavy, rigid frames which fatigue facial muscles and sit awkwardly.
Lens Material
Lighter and thinner equals more comfortable long-term. I tend to recommend high-index polycarbonate plastic or Trivex lenses which maximize clarity while minimizing weight. Select lens coatings like Ace & Tate’s also guard against smudging and sun damage Based on your prescription strength, talk to your optometrist about the best material to meet your visual needs while avoiding heaviness.
Blue Light
Research confirms prolonged exposure to high frequency blue light from digital devices negatively impacts eye comfort and sleep cycles. I advise all patients – especially kids – invest in blue light filtering lenses to safeguard vision health. For maximum protection, choose glasses like Ace & Tate’s Felix line designed specifically for all-day screen use.
Prescription Precision
A millimeter of difference in frame alignment, optical center positioning or lens curvature in relation to your cornea makes the world of difference. This level of adjustment is difficult (sometimes impossible) to perfect on your own. Always have your final glasses verified by an eyecare professional to catch any optical defects before wearing full-time. Tiny tweaks at this stage prevent big headaches down the road!
Hopefully these eyewear selection tips give clarity pun intended! 🤓 Now back to our Ace & Tate deep dive…
How Ace & Tate Eyewear Stacks Up To Alternatives
In my career, I’ve evaluated thousands of frames across every price point and style. When discovering Ace & Tate‘s offerings, I was skeptical whether quality and durability would hold up to designer brands I routinely fit patients for.
Pleasantly, their attention to detail plus durable materials puts them firmly in the “above average” category I reserve for only the best optics. Here’s how they compare to other common options patients ask about:
Warby Parker: Nearly identical price points and aesthetic, though some frames run narrower in sizing. Greater style variety but less customization around fit. Overall highly recommend both brands.
EyeBuyDirect: Budget frames lack refinement though perhaps acceptable for backup pairs. Significantly lower cost but beware quality compromises.
GlassesUSA: Mixed bag with some hidden gems but inconsistencies in construction. Not great for complex prescriptions. Vet options thoroughly through virtual try-on.
LensCrafters/Visionworks: Convenience of in-store service and expertise carries a premium. Expect to pay 30-50% more for big name recognition. Ace & Tate‘s free at home try-on delivers similar perks.
Luxottica Brands: From Prada to Oakley, prestigious names command even higher pricing exceeding $500+ in many cases. While Ace & Tate can‘t match exotic materials like buffalo horn, their quality stands over 90% in line with these luxury players at a fraction of the cost.
Among the options covered here, I have no trouble positioning Ace & Tate as a top contender blending affordability and enduring construction – especially for first time glasses buyers overwhelmed navigating the eyewear category‘s pricing extremes. Their commitment to ethical production and sustainability gives an added feel good factor supporting a brand making positive industry impact.
What Do Other Ace & Tate Customers Have To Say?
Scouring reviews from trustworthy industry publications and consumer sites, the vast majority of feedback on Ace & Tate skews resoundingly positive. On platforms like TrustPilot and Facebook, you‘ll find average review ratings ranging from 4 to 5 stars.
Happy customers praise Ace & Tate for:
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Streamlined, intuitive ordering experience
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Accurately measured frames sized for a precision fit
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Lightweight durable construction holding up over years
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Quick resolution of occasional shipping or product issues
That said, some criticisms called out around Ace & Tate‘s customer experience include:
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Rare shipping delays or damage
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Limited frame color options
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Try-on tools not always predicting ideal fit
However, these complaints seem relatively limited in frequency based on the sheer volume of glowing reviews. When problems do crop up, response times by Ace & Tate‘s customer experience team draw appreciation for prompt, helpful issue remediation.
As evidenced by 95%+ satisfaction across thousands of buyers, Ace & Tate continues building a reputation as a leader in precision crafted visionwear.
Final Verdict: Who Are Ace & Tate Glasses Right For?
If style conscious online shoppers value finding well-made eyewear mimicking luxury quality at friendlier price points, Ace & Tate checks all the boxes. The curated hip frame portfolio aligns aesthetically with fashion go-getters while practical tools allow you to fine tune fit.
Value seekers wanting to maximize their optical budget without concessions to quality fit the target Ace & Tate demographic as well. Versus designer brands fetching triple (or more!) the cost, you secure comparable construction, spot on measurements and conscientious production values.
Those prioritizing ethics and social responsibility should short list Ace & Tate too. Their third party audited accountable business practices spanning materials to labor reflect admirable commitments to people and environmental welfare.
If traditionalists prefer an in-person white glove experience interfacing exclusively with seasoned opticians through every selection milestone, Ace & Tate may not sway you. However, their guided digital journey bridges most gaps. For less complex vision needs, I encourage giving them a try.
On the whole for a wide range of consumers, Ace & Tate makes the eyewear procurement experience monumentally smoother. Their dedication to craft and service leaves buyers seeing more clearly both physically and ethically.
Thanks for joining my in-depth field review! Please reach out with any other questions. Cheers and happy shopping! 👓
