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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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Warby Parker

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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.]
1209 Lexington Ave New York, NY 10028
(646) 757-2290
(646) 757-2290

SEE Eyewear

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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]
160 Smith St Brooklyn, NY 11201
(347) 916-0011
(347) 916-0011

Oliver Peoples

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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]
812 Madison Ave New York, NY 10065
(212) 585-3433
(212) 585-3433

Selima Optique

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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]
59 Wooster St New York, NY 10012
(212) 343-9490
(212) 343-9490

Italia Independent

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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]
85 Mercer St New York, NY 10012
(212) 966-3377
(212) 966-3377

Anne et Valentin

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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]
200 Smith St Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 858-8839
(718) 858-8839

Surreal Eyewear

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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
(212) 414-0900

Fabulous Fanny's

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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]
335 E 9th St New York, NY 10003
(212) 553-0637
(212) 553-0637

Anthony Aiden Opticians

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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
(212) 533-1577

Silver Lining Opticians

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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]
92 Thompson St New York, NY 10012
(212) 274-9191
(212) 274-9191

Morgenthal Frederics

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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]
399 W Broadway New York, NY 10012
(212) 966-0099
(212) 966-0099

Dita

Copy Link
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]
273 Lafayette St New York, NY 10012
(212) 431-8900
(212) 431-8900

MOSCOT

Copy Link
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]
108 Orchard St New York, NY 10002
(212) 477-3796
(212) 477-3796

Devonshire Optical

Copy Link
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]
51 University Pl New York, NY 10003
(212) 982-3762
(212) 982-3762

Mykita

Copy Link
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]
109 Crosby St New York, NY 10012
(212) 343-9100
(212) 343-9100

Facial Index

Copy Link
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]
104 Grand St New York, NY 10013
(646) 613-1055
(646) 613-1055

The Monocle Order

Copy Link
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]
5 Devoe St Brooklyn, NY 11211
(866) 238-7963
(866) 238-7963
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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.]
1209 Lexington Ave New York, NY 10028
(646) 757-2290
(646) 757-2290

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]
160 Smith St Brooklyn, NY 11201
(347) 916-0011
(347) 916-0011

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]
812 Madison Ave New York, NY 10065
(212) 585-3433
(212) 585-3433

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]
59 Wooster St New York, NY 10012
(212) 343-9490
(212) 343-9490

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]
85 Mercer St New York, NY 10012
(212) 966-3377
(212) 966-3377

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]
200 Smith St Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 858-8839
(718) 858-8839

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
(212) 414-0900

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]
335 E 9th St New York, NY 10003
(212) 553-0637
(212) 553-0637

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
(212) 533-1577

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]
92 Thompson St New York, NY 10012
(212) 274-9191
(212) 274-9191

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]
399 W Broadway New York, NY 10012
(212) 966-0099
(212) 966-0099

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]
273 Lafayette St New York, NY 10012
(212) 431-8900
(212) 431-8900

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]
108 Orchard St New York, NY 10002
(212) 477-3796
(212) 477-3796

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]
51 University Pl New York, NY 10003
(212) 982-3762
(212) 982-3762

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]
109 Crosby St New York, NY 10012
(212) 343-9100
(212) 343-9100

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]
104 Grand St New York, NY 10013
(646) 613-1055
(646) 613-1055

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]
5 Devoe St Brooklyn, NY 11211
(866) 238-7963
(866) 238-7963