The frame material determines weight, comfort, durability, resistance to sweat and impacts, and even how your sunglasses look over time. In lifestyle sunglasses such as those from D.Franklin, it also defines the character of each collection and how it fits into your daily life.
Choosing the right material means you can wear your glasses comfortably for hours, prevent warping and get more from lens technologies such as OPTAREX™, photochromic lenses and polarisation. Choose poorly, and your glasses end up in a drawer or, worse, on the floor as soon as the temples lose their shape.
Two main material families
In practice, almost all frames on the market fall into two main families: metal and plastic. Each includes very different compositions and properties, from ultralight titanium to nylon blends designed for sports. Understanding these differences helps you decide which type best suits your actual needs, whether for everyday city wear or demanding athletic use.
Metal frames: benefits and types
Metal frames offer slimmer profiles, a clean look and a very precise fit. They are common in aviator sunglasses, geometric designs and minimalist urban styles. Technically, they stand out for their strength and their ability to support very slender bridges and temples without losing stability.
Titanium
Titanium is the benchmark when you want minimal weight and high strength. It resists deformation, stands up very well to daily use and is usually hypoallergenic, making it a good option if your skin reacts to other metals. It is useful for glasses worn for many hours at a time, such as frames for both everyday wear and work with a blue light filter.
Aluminium
Aluminium combines lightness and rigidity. It allows slim, stable frames and takes surface treatments and coloured finishes well, from understated matt shades to brighter tones. It is often used in contemporary designs where visible metal is desirable without excessive weight.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is strong, resists corrosion from sweat and is easy to shape for a good temple fit. It is a very stable material, ideal if you do not want to worry about your glasses losing their shape over time. It weighs slightly more than titanium but remains comfortable in slim frame designs.
Plastic frames: benefits and types
Plastic frames dominate urban sunglasses for one simple reason: visual impact. They allow playful colours, bold volumes and chunky or retro designs that would be impractical in metal. From a technical perspective, the key is the type of polymer and how the frame is manufactured.
In ranges such as D.Franklin’s sunglasses collections, most urban models use high-quality plastics precisely for this combination of lightness, colour and strength.

Cellulose acetate
Cellulose acetate is the classic choice for plastic frames. It adjusts well, withstands daily use and offers countless colours, patterns and translucent effects. It is ideal for retro-inspired frames, bold square sunglasses or striking cat-eye designs. When properly polished, it has a smooth feel and a distinctive shine.
Cellulose propionate
Propionate is an acetate derivative that is lighter and highly resistant to prolonged contact with skin, sweat and cosmetics. It is a good option if you tend to wear glasses all day and worry about wear around your nose and ears. Its weight-to-volume ratio makes it suitable for slightly thicker frames without making them feel heavy.
Shape-memory resins
Shape-memory resins, such as certain epoxy variants, are characterised by thermal stability and the ability to return to their original shape after controlled heating. In eyewear, they are used to create very light frames that withstand minor stresses without deforming. They are useful for models that need a precise fit without sacrificing volume or colour.
Nylon blends
Blends of nylon and other polymers produce particularly flexible, lightweight and impact-resistant frames. Injection moulding allows wraparound sports designs with more pronounced curves. This makes them common in glasses for running, cycling and snow sports, where the material must withstand twisting and falls without breaking. In a range such as D.Franklin’s athletic collection, these plastics make good sense for high-performance models.
How to choose the material for your needs
Beyond the technical specifications, the ideal material is one that withstands your real life without getting in the way. Choose according to how you use your glasses, as well as how they look in the mirror.
Everyday city wear
If you wear sunglasses around the city every day, you want manageable weight and a distinctive appearance. Acetate and propionate frames work very well here because they let you experiment with round, square or cat-eye shapes without sacrificing comfort. Urban collections such as roller offer examples of these materials supporting a relaxed retro design.
Sports use
For running, cycling or snow sports, the material needs to be light, flexible and impact-resistant. Nylon blends and other injection-moulded plastics are the first choice, followed by certain lightweight metals if you prefer a more hybrid look. Sports glasses combine these frame types with polarised or photochromic lenses for complete technical performance.
Sensitive skin or allergies
If you have reacted to metal frames, consider titanium or certain high-quality steels. For plastic frames, choose well-finished acetates without rough edges or metal parts in direct contact with your skin. Avoid poor-quality finishes that may flake around the bridge or temples.
Glasses for all-day wear
When you wear glasses for many hours at a time, weight is crucial. Slim titanium or steel frames and certain shape-memory plastics work better than very thick acetate. Another option is to look for ranges designed for low weight, often grouped into dedicated collections such as ultra light, where the design focuses on reducing weight while retaining character.
The relationship between frame material and lens technology
The frame and lenses need to work together. Shape and material influence which lens types make sense and the situations the complete pair is genuinely suited to.
Lifestyle sunglasses with OPTAREX lenses
Acetate or slim metal frames work well with urban sunglasses featuring OPTAREX™ Core or Mirror lenses. They provide sufficient lens stability, allow striking designs and distribute weight comfortably across the nose and ears. If minimal weight is your priority, models in shape-memory plastics or lightweight metals naturally complement technologies such as OPTAREX™ Ultralight.
Polarised or photochromic sports glasses
In running, cycling or skiing glasses with polarised or photochromic lenses, the frame material needs to match the lenses’ technical performance. Nylon blends and injection moulding allow wraparound shapes that offer better protection from wind and splashes while handling the tension of curved lenses without deforming. This helps keep your field of vision clear and stable, even during sudden temperature changes.
Quick tips before choosing a material
1. If you are choosing between several frames, compare their actual weight in your hand, rather than relying solely on specifications. A ten-gram difference becomes noticeable after several hours of wear.
2. Look at the finish on the edges and hinges. Poorly polished high-quality acetate performs worse than a simpler plastic that has been properly finished.
3. Think about how you store your glasses. If they sit loose in a backpack or bag, prioritise slightly more flexible materials or designs that protect the lenses well.
4. If you want one versatile pair, sacrificing some dramatic frame thickness for better everyday comfort is usually worthwhile.

