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Driely S.
Driely S.

Hey, Four-Eyes! Where to Buy Glasses in NYC

By Laura Gurfein
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Driely S.
By Laura Gurfein

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Having flashbacks to the dreaded "four-eyes" chant in elementary school just by looking at this headline? Banish that memory forever. Aside from being the most necessary accessory for a lot of us out there, glasses have been embraced by the fashion world, and by New York in particular—the amount of trendy eyewear shops that have opened in recent years is staggering. Below, find 17 of the city's best shops for eyeglasses, from single-brand boutiques to old-school optician shops.

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1. Warby Parker

Copy Link
(646) 757-2290
(646) 757-2290
Visit Website
The newest location of the previously online-only brand is also its most beautiful. The two-story former drugstore boasts two eye exam stations, a reading nook, and tons of original details. [Photo: Driely S.]

2. SEE Eyewear

Copy Link
(347) 916-0011
(347) 916-0011
Visit Website
See’s new Boerum Hill location offers Brooklynites frames that are a bit louder than Warby Parker’s, but at not too much more of the cost. [Photo]

3. Oliver Peoples

Copy Link
(212) 585-3433
(212) 585-3433
Visit Website
One of the city’s best uptown eyewear options, Oliver Peoples’ Madison Avenue location includes a huge array of styles that toe the line between on-trend and too-trendy. Look out for the brand’s sought-after collaborations, which have included everyone from Rodarte to Balmain. [Photo]

4. Selima Optique

Copy Link
(212) 343-9490
(212) 343-9490
Visit Website
The mini-chain has locations in LA, Paris, and New York, but it’s the Soho one that's closest to French-born owner Selima Salaun, who lives in the neighborhood (which isn't far away from the funky Bond Street outpost). Frames, which tend to have both French and Japanese influences, are mostly in the $300 range. [Photo]

5. Italia Independent

Copy Link
(212) 966-3377
(212) 966-3377
Visit Website
The Italian (duh) eyewear brand’s first and only US store (opened this November) includes look-at-me styles like velvet, denim, and glittery frames, as well as a collab with the Blonde Salad blogger Chiara Ferragni. Bonus: There’s a mini Fiat 500 parked inside the store. [Photo]

6. Anne et Valentin

Copy Link
(718) 858-8839
(718) 858-8839
Visit Website
After opening near the Bowery two years ago, the French brand made its Brooklyn debut last month. Known for unabashedly bold frames, Anne et Valentin's newest store also provides plenty of cozy seating that'll likely induce apartment envy. [Photo]

7. Surreal Eyewear

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70 Greenwich Ave
New York, NY 10011
(212) 414-0900
(212) 414-0900
Visit Website
As one of the West Village’s best eyewear boutiques, Surreal carries new and vintage frames from lesser-known international brands you won’t find elsewhere, as well as its own house label. Those looking to differentiate themselves from the Warby Parker-ed masses can even work with the staff to design a custom pair. [Photo]

8. Fabulous Fanny's

Copy Link
(212) 553-0637
(212) 553-0637
Visit Website
The iconic eyewear shop that New Yorkers frequently flock to for funky sunglasses also has a huge selection of vintage frames that are suitable for regular eyeglasses. Have a deep-dive into the drawers here to find a pair that'll cause double-takes on the sidewalks. [Photo]

9. Anthony Aiden Opticians

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42 Saint Marks Place
New York, NY 10003
(212) 533-1577
(212) 533-1577
Visit Website
When this East Village boutique first opened in 1989, it was widely considered one of the first stores in the city to bring an element of fashion to glasses. And 26 years later, it's still serving the neighborhood with frame styles that creep to the edge of too cool—not to mention keeping up a good window display. [Photo]

10. Silver Lining Opticians

Copy Link
(212) 274-9191
(212) 274-9191
Visit Website
Co-founded by a vintage eyewear collector, Silver Lining has been serving Soho with hard-to-find frames since 2005. If you're looking for a different mix of designers (ever heard of Masunaga, Barton Perreira, or Andy Wolf?) make Thompson Street your first stop. [Photo]

11. Morgenthal Frederics

Copy Link
(212) 966-0099
(212) 966-0099
Visit Website
Come to the corner of Spring and West Broadway if you're not sure whether you want to go high-end or more budget-friendly—at least budget-friendly in terms of frames. The staff here is great at helping you narrow down styles based on your face shape and wearing preferences, and they have a major sale going through the end of February, too. [Photo]

12. Dita

Copy Link
(212) 431-8900
(212) 431-8900
Visit Website
The popular Los Angeles-based eyewear shop only just made its way to our city in recent months, and the celeb-favored frames are right at home in 900 square feet on Lafayette Street, adding to Soho's already incredible existing range of eyeglasses shops. [Photo]

13. MOSCOT

Copy Link
(212) 477-3796
(212) 477-3796
Visit Website
The Lower East Side store has been a cool-kid staple for a century, and it just celebrated its 100th anniversary this year with an all-new vintage-inspired collection. Most frames stay under $300 and reference styles that wouldn’t look out of place when the store originally opened. [Photo]

14. Devonshire Optical

Copy Link
(212) 982-3762
(212) 982-3762
Visit Website
Fitting customers since 1984, the Greenwich Village shop has a thing for rimless frames, but also stocks a variety of stainless steel styles, as well as classic options by brands like Oliver Peoples and Paul Smith. Make sure to check out their adventurous sunglasses section, which includes mirrored shades by Coco and Breezy and architectural Kuboraum designs. [Photo]

15. Mykita

Copy Link
(212) 343-9100
(212) 343-9100
Visit Website
This German eyewear brand offers unisex frames in its modern-industrial Crosby Street shop. Prices start at $400 and go up to $2,000 (excluding prescription lenses), so consider these investment glasses. Look out for the label’s frequent collaborations—current guest designers include Maison Margiela and Damir Doma. [Photo]

16. Facial Index

Copy Link
(646) 613-1055
(646) 613-1055
Visit Website
The Japanese-based shop, established here in 2000, only carries its own lines of handcrafted frames that can get a little pricey for the average shopper, but the number on the tag is offset by the cool factor you earn just by wearing them. [Photo]

17. The Monocle Order

Copy Link
(866) 238-7963
(866) 238-7963
Visit Website
This Williamsburg optical shop specializes in vintage frames and eyewear by independent labels like RVS, Illesteva, and Westward Leaning. The space is clean and minimal, and glasses are displayed so that they appear to be floating in front of an exposed brick wall. [Photo]
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1. Warby Parker

1209 Lexington Ave New York, NY 10028
The newest location of the previously online-only brand is also its most beautiful. The two-story former drugstore boasts two eye exam stations, a reading nook, and tons of original details. [Photo: Driely S.]
(646) 757-2290
Visit Website

2. SEE Eyewear

160 Smith St Brooklyn, NY 11201
See’s new Boerum Hill location offers Brooklynites frames that are a bit louder than Warby Parker’s, but at not too much more of the cost. [Photo]
(347) 916-0011
Visit Website

3. Oliver Peoples

812 Madison Ave New York, NY 10065
One of the city’s best uptown eyewear options, Oliver Peoples’ Madison Avenue location includes a huge array of styles that toe the line between on-trend and too-trendy. Look out for the brand’s sought-after collaborations, which have included everyone from Rodarte to Balmain. [Photo]
(212) 585-3433
Visit Website

4. Selima Optique

59 Wooster St New York, NY 10012
The mini-chain has locations in LA, Paris, and New York, but it’s the Soho one that's closest to French-born owner Selima Salaun, who lives in the neighborhood (which isn't far away from the funky Bond Street outpost). Frames, which tend to have both French and Japanese influences, are mostly in the $300 range. [Photo]
(212) 343-9490
Visit Website

5. Italia Independent

85 Mercer St New York, NY 10012
The Italian (duh) eyewear brand’s first and only US store (opened this November) includes look-at-me styles like velvet, denim, and glittery frames, as well as a collab with the Blonde Salad blogger Chiara Ferragni. Bonus: There’s a mini Fiat 500 parked inside the store. [Photo]
(212) 966-3377
Visit Website

6. Anne et Valentin

200 Smith St Brooklyn, NY 11201
After opening near the Bowery two years ago, the French brand made its Brooklyn debut last month. Known for unabashedly bold frames, Anne et Valentin's newest store also provides plenty of cozy seating that'll likely induce apartment envy. [Photo]
(718) 858-8839
Visit Website

7. Surreal Eyewear

70 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011
As one of the West Village’s best eyewear boutiques, Surreal carries new and vintage frames from lesser-known international brands you won’t find elsewhere, as well as its own house label. Those looking to differentiate themselves from the Warby Parker-ed masses can even work with the staff to design a custom pair. [Photo]
70 Greenwich Ave
New York, NY 10011
(212) 414-0900
Visit Website

8. Fabulous Fanny's

335 E 9th St New York, NY 10003
The iconic eyewear shop that New Yorkers frequently flock to for funky sunglasses also has a huge selection of vintage frames that are suitable for regular eyeglasses. Have a deep-dive into the drawers here to find a pair that'll cause double-takes on the sidewalks. [Photo]
(212) 553-0637
Visit Website

9. Anthony Aiden Opticians

42 Saint Marks Place, New York, NY 10003
When this East Village boutique first opened in 1989, it was widely considered one of the first stores in the city to bring an element of fashion to glasses. And 26 years later, it's still serving the neighborhood with frame styles that creep to the edge of too cool—not to mention keeping up a good window display. [Photo]
42 Saint Marks Place
New York, NY 10003
(212) 533-1577
Visit Website

10. Silver Lining Opticians

92 Thompson St New York, NY 10012
Co-founded by a vintage eyewear collector, Silver Lining has been serving Soho with hard-to-find frames since 2005. If you're looking for a different mix of designers (ever heard of Masunaga, Barton Perreira, or Andy Wolf?) make Thompson Street your first stop. [Photo]
(212) 274-9191
Visit Website

11. Morgenthal Frederics

399 W Broadway New York, NY 10012
Come to the corner of Spring and West Broadway if you're not sure whether you want to go high-end or more budget-friendly—at least budget-friendly in terms of frames. The staff here is great at helping you narrow down styles based on your face shape and wearing preferences, and they have a major sale going through the end of February, too. [Photo]
(212) 966-0099
Visit Website

12. Dita

273 Lafayette St New York, NY 10012
The popular Los Angeles-based eyewear shop only just made its way to our city in recent months, and the celeb-favored frames are right at home in 900 square feet on Lafayette Street, adding to Soho's already incredible existing range of eyeglasses shops. [Photo]
(212) 431-8900
Visit Website

13. MOSCOT

108 Orchard St New York, NY 10002
The Lower East Side store has been a cool-kid staple for a century, and it just celebrated its 100th anniversary this year with an all-new vintage-inspired collection. Most frames stay under $300 and reference styles that wouldn’t look out of place when the store originally opened. [Photo]
(212) 477-3796
Visit Website

14. Devonshire Optical

51 University Pl New York, NY 10003
Fitting customers since 1984, the Greenwich Village shop has a thing for rimless frames, but also stocks a variety of stainless steel styles, as well as classic options by brands like Oliver Peoples and Paul Smith. Make sure to check out their adventurous sunglasses section, which includes mirrored shades by Coco and Breezy and architectural Kuboraum designs. [Photo]
(212) 982-3762
Visit Website

15. Mykita

109 Crosby St New York, NY 10012
This German eyewear brand offers unisex frames in its modern-industrial Crosby Street shop. Prices start at $400 and go up to $2,000 (excluding prescription lenses), so consider these investment glasses. Look out for the label’s frequent collaborations—current guest designers include Maison Margiela and Damir Doma. [Photo]
(212) 343-9100
Visit Website

16. Facial Index

104 Grand St New York, NY 10013
The Japanese-based shop, established here in 2000, only carries its own lines of handcrafted frames that can get a little pricey for the average shopper, but the number on the tag is offset by the cool factor you earn just by wearing them. [Photo]
(646) 613-1055
Visit Website

17. The Monocle Order

5 Devoe St Brooklyn, NY 11211
This Williamsburg optical shop specializes in vintage frames and eyewear by independent labels like RVS, Illesteva, and Westward Leaning. The space is clean and minimal, and glasses are displayed so that they appear to be floating in front of an exposed brick wall. [Photo]
(866) 238-7963
Visit Website