Oakley, Inc., based in Foothill Ranch, California, is a subsidiary of an Italian company Luxottica, that designs, develops and manufactures sports performance equipment and lifestyle pieces including sunglasses, sports visors, ski/snowboard goggles, watches, apparel, backpacks, shoes, optical frames, football visors, golf gear and other accessories.

Oakley is a major sponsor of top athletes from Golf, Baseball, Snow, Motocross and the Olympics.Most items are designed in house at their head office, but some countries hold exclusive designs relevant to their market. Oakley currently holds more than 600 patents for eyewear, materials, and performance gear

Today, they are a leading sports and lifestyle brand. Featuring not only eyewear but footwear, shoes, sandals, backpacks, training gear, athletic gear and casual wear.

Oakley was started by James Jannard in 1975 out of his garage with an initial investment of $300. The name "Oakley" came from Jim's English Setter, "Oakley Anne." Jannard began by selling what he called 'The Oakley Grip' out of the back of his car at motocross events. His motorcycle grips were unlike other grips available at the time, using a patented material known as 'Unobtainium'('Unobtanium'), a unique creation by Jannard.

The material is still used to make the earsocks on Oakley glasses, and many of the nose pieces and now the bands of their watches. Oakley went on to produce number plates, gloves, grips, elbow guards, chin guards, and goggles for the BMX and motocross communities.

In 1980, Jannard released a pair of goggles called the O-Frame. With the 'Oakley' logo present on the strap, the brand garnered increasing recognition and prominence throughout the sports industry. In 1983 Oakley began selling ski goggles.

The first Oakley sunglasses; Factory Pilot Eyeshades, were sport-oriented, resembling goggles and were released in 1984. These were followed in 1985 by the Oakley Frogskin, a casual sunglass style that was made in Japan.

The company went public in 1995, raising $230 million. In 2016 dollars, that would be approximately $360,000.00

In early 1996, Oakley had a pricing dispute with Italian company Luxottica, the world's largest eyewear manufacturers and retailers. Luxottica stopped carrying Oakley's products in their stores, including Sunglass Hut, and Oakley's stock market value declined 33%. Ironically, Luxottica today is Oakley's parent company. This dispute was later settled.

In 2001, Oakley bought Iacon, Inc., operator of mall-based sunglasses stores Sunglass Designs, Sporting Eyes, and Occhiali da Sole.

Oakley signed a four-year agreement to manufacture eyewear designed by themselves and Fox Racing in September 2004. Today, Fox manufacturer's their own sunglasses and goggles.

Starting in 2004, Jannard bought large quantities of Oakley stock: $2 million in 2004, $16 million in 2005, and $4.6 million in early 2006, bringing his personal stake in the company to 63%.

In 2006, Oakley acquired the Oliver Peoples group, a manufacturer of high-end fashion branded eyewear (under the Oliver Peoples, Mosley Tribes, and Paul Smith brands) for $55.7m, and Optical Shop of Aspen, a luxury eyewear retailer with fourteen stores.

On June 21, 2007, Luxottica announced a plan to purchase Oakley in a cash deal worth $2.1 billion, paying a 16% premium over the extant share price. The deal was completed on November 15, 2007, making Oakley part of a portfolio that includes brands such as Louis Vuitton, Ray-Ban, Persol, and Vogue.

During the preparations for the ultimately successful rescue of thirty three miners trapped for ten weeks in a Chilean mine in October 2010, a journalist covering the story contacted Oakley about donating sunglasses to the rescue effort, aware that the miners would need eye protection after having spent weeks in darkness. Oakley donated 35 pairs of its Radar sports glasses, fitted with specially selected tints.

Oakley was once the US Distributor for Arnette, Ray-Ban, and Revo.

Oakley sponsored members of the US Olympic Team in 2012.

In August 2013, Oakley sold its REVO brand to Sequential Brands for $20m.

In 2015, Oakley discontinued their Arnette line. Arnettte continues to be distributed by Luxottica in Europe and South America.

Today, Oakley is a leading sunglass and goggle manufacturer and sport brand.

Most of Oakley's technological designs, fashion pieces, gear, etc. were developed with extensive athlete input and testing in the field – including extreme conditions. Oakley also maintains US Standard Issue, which provides U.S. military and law enforcement eye protection. Oakley M Frame sunglasses are included as part of the U.S. Army's Authorized Protective Eyewear List (APEL), and have been assigned a NSN number for ordering through military supply channels. The company has also built at least one 'golf hovercraft', intended as an all terrain replacement for conventional golf carts, in partnership with the professional golfer, Bubba Watson.

Oakley has been affiliated with top sports athletes such as Michael Jordan.