Union Of Surf Sunglasses S/S 2026 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Sunglasses S/S 2026 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Union
Interviewee: Philippa Clark, Founder

How have your sales been in 2025 so far?
2025 has been a strong year for Union of Surf. We’ve seen consistent growth across both wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels, driven by increasing demand for sustainably made products that don’t compromise on style or performance. Our expansion into New Zealand, Australia, and most recently the U.S. market has been met with positive traction, as retailers and consumers alike respond to our on-trend designs and strong brand values. We’re seeing particular momentum in stores that cater to environmentally conscious, lifestyle-driven buyers — aligning perfectly with our core identity.

What are the key trends in sunglasses for board sports for Spring/Summer 2026?
For SS26, we’re seeing a strong continuation of several key trends that speak directly to both style and performance — particularly across youth-driven board sports communities. Transparent and coloured transparent frames continue to grow in popularity, offering a clean but expressive aesthetic that fits both beach and street. Larger styles and the oversized look are still very much in demand, and will feature prominently in our new collection — not only for their bold style but also for the added sun protection they provide during active outdoor use. Sports-inspired and wraparound statement frames are also maintaining their momentum, especially among Gen A consumers. These bold silhouettes are favoured for their functionality and edge — making them a staple on and off the beach. Among Gen Z, we see rectangular frames gaining traction, offering a sleeker look that complements an active, lifestyle-driven wardrobe. While trend-forward designs are evolving, our best sellers remain the timeless classic shapes — a clear indicator that durability, versatility, and familiar silhouettes continue to resonate with a broad audience. These core styles form the foundation of our eyewear range, balancing fashion relevance with all-day wearability. Across the board, the focus remains on combining performance, sustainability, and on-trend design — all central to the Union of Surf brand.

Which segment of your 2025 offering is selling best and why?
Our best-selling product in 2025 has been the Fistral Beach in Sky Blue — a classic silhouette crafted in our signature all-wood frame. It combines a familiar, timeless shape that customers already know and love with a fresh twist in the form of sustainably sourced wood — a material that many shoppers are discovering for the first time. The natural texture, lightweight feel, and refined finish of the frame consistently exceed customer expectations. We receive regular feedback praising not just the aesthetics but also the surprising comfort and wearability — especially how light and easy they are to wear all day long. This product is a perfect example of where design meets sustainability without compromise. The Fistral Beach style proves that you can offer something new and exciting, while still appealing to what customers trust and recognise.

What frame shapes and colours will you offer in your SS26 collection?
For SS26, we’re expanding our offering with new frame styles, materials, and targeted collections that reflect both current trends and feedback from our community. New highlights include:

More bio-acetate frames, offering a wider variety of colours and finishes, with subtle updates to form and fit.
A youth-focused polarised sports collection – built for active, surf-lifestyle customers looking for performance and edge.
An adult sports collection featuring clean, functional lines and lightweight comfort for everyday wear on and off the beach.
An expanded Active Outdoors range, perfect for those who live between the coast and trail – combining durability, comfort, and eco-conscious design.
The launch of our Enhanced Style range, which blends fashion-forward design with sustainable materials – think oversized frames, bold silhouettes, and the beautiful grain of chunky wooden arms that bring warmth and texture to the collection. We’re excited to keep pushing the boundaries of sustainable style — watch this space for more as the season unfolds.

What materials are you using in your SS26 collection?
The SS26 collection from Union of Surf reflects our ongoing commitment to sustainability, quality, and performance — combining natural materials with innovative, future-proof design choices. Key materials include:

Bio-Acetate & Cellulose Acetate
We continue to expand our use of these plant-based, biodegradable materials. They offer excellent durability, comfort, and colour depth while significantly reducing environmental impact compared to traditional petroleum-based plastics.
Expanded Wood Range
Our all-wood and wood-accented frames remain a standout. For SS26, we’ve introduced a broader variety of sustainably sourced timbers, including:
- Ebony
- Walnut
- Bamboo
- Sandalwood
- Beechwood
- Rosewood
- Zebrawood

Each wood type brings its own natural grain and character, giving the collection a tactile, organic feel — especially in our Enhanced Style and Active Outdoors lines.

TR90 & Recyclable Thermoplastics
Used across our youth and adult sports collections, TR90 offers lightweight strength, flexibility, and high durability — ideal for performance-driven frames. As a recyclable thermoplastic, it also supports our long-term goal of creating fully circular, future-proof product designs.
Cellulose-Based Lenses
All lenses in the SS26 collection are made from cellulose, a renewable, plant-based material known for optical clarity, UV protection, and all-day comfort — with the added benefit of reduced environmental impact.

What lens technologies will you offer in your SS26 collection?
Our SS26 collection showcases cutting-edge plant-based technologies integrated into both lenses and frames, delivering sustainable eyewear without compromising on style or performance. Key features include:

Plant-Based Cellulose Lenses
Crafted from renewable, plant-derived cellulose, our lenses offer crystal-clear optics, lightweight comfort, and a significantly reduced environmental footprint compared to conventional plastics.
G15 Lenses
Selected frames feature the iconic G15 lens, prized for its natural colour balance and superior glare reduction. These lenses are carefully integrated using sustainable materials, aligning with our eco-friendly approach.
Polarised Plant-Based Lenses
Our youth and adult sports collections include polarised lenses made with plant-based technologies to cut glare from reflective surfaces like water and sand — enhancing clarity while maintaining eco-conscious credentials.
Eco-Conscious Frame Materials
Complementing our lenses, the frames are crafted from sustainable materials including bio-acetate, cellulose acetate, and a range of premium, responsibly sourced woods such as Ebony, Walnut, Bamboo, Sandalwood, Beechwood, Rosewood, and Zebrawood. This combination ensures the entire eyewear is built with environmental care from the inside out.
TR90 & Recyclable Thermoplastics
For our sports and active lines, we use lightweight, durable TR90 — a recyclable thermoplastic that offers strength, flexibility, and longevity while supporting future circularity goals.
Full UV Protection
All lenses provide 100% UVA and UVB protection, ensuring eye safety while adhering to our commitment to sustainable, plant-based materials. With SS26, we seamlessly combine innovative plant-based lens technologies with eco-friendly, natural frame materials to create eyewear that’s not only stylish and functional but also genuinely better for the planet.

Which lens colours and tints will you be offering in SS26?
For SS26, we’re offering a refined and expressive selection of 14 cellulose lens tints, designed for performance, comfort, and style across a wide range of environments. Our current tint lineup includes:

Pink
Opal Blue
Sky Blue
Orange
Burnt Orange
Grey
Black
Green Mirror
G15
Gold

Additional tonal and neutral shades complete the collection, bringing us to 14 tints and counting, with new options in development to suit evolving tastes and frame combinations. All lenses are crafted from lightweight cellulose for clear vision and everyday comfort. Approximately 95% of the range features polarised lenses, providing enhanced glare reduction and visibility — ideal for coastal, outdoor, and high-glare environments.

Any new sustainable practices in your production and shipping processes?
Sustainability Overview, Almost all of our production now integrates the latest innovations in sustainable materials and responsible manufacturing, across both our eyewear and apparel lines — right down to our packaging.
Eyewear:

Frames are made using bio-acetates, sustainably sourced woods, and recyclable thermoplastics, designed for durability and reduced impact.
Lenses are crafted from plant-derived cellulose, with 95% of the range featuring polarised options for enhanced performance and visual clarity.

Apparel:

We use organic cotton across our garments, with all cotton products eligible for our fully circular re-milling process — allowing worn items to be broken down and reused as new fibre.
All apparel is produced in factories powered by renewable energy, helping to lower the carbon footprint of every item.

Packaging:

Our packaging is made from recycled and recyclable cardboard, with minimalist postal packaging used wherever possible to reduce waste and shipping volume.

Sustainability is embedded in every stage of our process — from materials and manufacturing to delivery and end-of-life — ensuring our products reflect not just good design, but good decisions.

How will you support retailers to sell this category?
We’ve designed our retail support program to be flexible, low-commitment, and profitable — helping retailers of all sizes succeed with the Union of Surf eyewear category. Key support features:

Branded Display Stands
We offer a variety of natural aesthetic display stands for both floor and tabletop, providing multiple solutions for different retail environments — whether you’re working with limited counter space or looking for a larger, feature display.
The floor stand includes integrated storage and lockable racking, combining security with clean, organised presentation.
No Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs)
Stock what works for your space and audience — no pressure to over-commit.
Low Replenishment Thresholds
Making it easy to top up popular styles in-season without tying up stockroom space or cash flow.
Mid-Price Point with Strong Value for Money
Positioned to appeal to a wide customer base, our pricing balances quality, style, and affordability, driving higher sell-through while offering clear value for money.
Strong Intake Margins
Our pricing structure is designed to support healthy retail markups and deliverable profit, season after season.

Key Products:

Fistral Beach:
Fistral Beach sunglasses by Union of Surf feature handcrafted walnut wood frames in two rich wood tones. Designed for style and performance, they come with cellulose polarized lenses offering full UV protection and reduced glare. Choose from four lens color options to suit your vibe. Eco-conscious, lightweight, and adventure-ready—perfect for life in and out of the surf.

Fistral Sunglasses

Kuta:
Kuta sunglasses by Union of Surf blend classic style with a sustainable edge. Featuring real bamboo arms and a timeless frame shape, they’re lightweight and naturally unique. The cellulose polarized lenses offer full UV protection and glare reduction, available in two bold options: mirror pink and mirror blue. Eco-conscious and eye-catching—perfect for sun-filled adventures.

Kuta

Nazaré:
Nazaré sunglasses by Union of Surf are a bold blend of statement styling and retro flair. Crafted from sustainable walnut veneer, each pair showcases natural grain and lightweight comfort. Featuring eco-friendly cellulose polarized lenses for full UV protection and glare reduction, they’re available in three standout colors: blue mirror, orange, and black. Designed to turn heads—on the beach or beyond.

Nazaré