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Where to Buy Sunglasses: Sixteen New York City Shops

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Photo by Driely S. for Racked

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Whether or not you're on board with this year's mirrored lenses trend, you could probably use another pair of sunglasses in your typical rotation. Though shades are typically thought of as summer wear, they really serve you all year long, so it's wise to invest in a good pair or two.

Ahead, we've mapped out 16 spots that have a particularly good selection of sunglasses, from a dedicated vintage shop to a national chain that installed a bling wall in their most recent New York City store. Read on to find your next favorite pair.


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Warby Parker

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The Upper East Side branch of the online-born brand opened earlier this year, bringing their total number of shops in the city to three. Most pairs of non-prescription sunnies ring in at $95, and Karlie Kloss just debuted a collection here. [Photo by Driely S.]

Oliver Peoples

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If you're shopping for sunglasses uptown, then Oliver Peoples is a pretty obvious destination. The brand has collaborated with just about everyone—from Zooey Deschanel to Balmain—and also runs the Mosley Tribes and Paul Smith eyewear companies. Needless to say, the Madison Avenue store has a pretty wide selection of frames to choose from. [Photo: Brian Harkin]

Sunglass Hut

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We normally wouldn't suggest you go shopping in Times Square, but since you can get sunglasses here from a 24/7 vending machine, we couldn't pass this up. The store carries your typical huge selection from brand names ranging from Ray Ban to Chanel, and also features a bling wall. [Photo courtesy of Sunglass Hut]

SEE Eyewear

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See prides itself on editing the best eyewear from around the world, offering exclusive styles at prices that won't break the bank. A pair of statement-making nonprescription sunglasses will run you $99. [Photo]

Fabulous Fanny's

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"If you have to wear them... make it fun," is the store's slogan. Specializing in vintage eyewear, this East Village mainstay is a catalogue of authentically old school frames in quantities you won't find anywhere else. Expect to spend hours here trying on funky shapes to find the perfect quirkiness. [Photo]

Silver Lining Opticians

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Vintage and contemporary frames mingle at this West Soho shop. They have nine commandments, one of which is "Lots of things may look good on your face shape, it's about personality and desire." Plus, they have a semi-secret back room for private consultations. [Photo]
Since shopping for shades can sometimes be just as tricky as shopping for prescription frames, take advantage of Ilori's personal style appointments. On the boutique's website, you can even select your frame and designer preference ahead of time, so they'll be waiting for you upon your arrival. [Photo]
The German-based brand arrived to Soho last summer, debuting an all-white decor that makes sure you're only focused on the frames in store. [Photo via Mykita]

Three Monkeys Eyewear

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Alongside their own brand, which hails all the way from Chile, the Soho shop also carries shades from Marc Jacobs, Ray Ban, DSquared, and Prada. Round out your sunglass purchase with a vinyl monkey akin to those seen in the store's "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” logo. [Photo via Flickr/Scott Beale]

Cutler and Gross

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The British brand debuted its first stateside store here last year, and offers a bespoke frame-making service in addition to the more than 4,000 styles that they keep in stock. Expect to pay a pretty penny—at least $500—for any one of these hand-made styles. [Photo]

Selima Optique

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Selima Boutique operates eight shops out of New York, LA, and Paris combined, but the Soho one has always been near-and-dear to sunglass aficionados, celebrities, and fashion editors alike. The shop carries designer Selima Salaun's own well-crafted frames, as well as vintage sunglasses and spectacles. [Photo]

Anne Et Valentin

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This French brand is yet another of the several eyewear stores that came to Lower Manhattan this year, bringing with them graphic, glamorous frames in striking colors. [Photo]

RETROSUPERFUTURE

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The Italian brand has gained major popularity in its seven short years of existence, and opened this flagship store last year. Start by choosing your hand-made frame shape, ranging from classic to the geometric Luciano, and select frame and lens color from there. [Photo: Paul Barbera for Retrosuperfuture]
This LES stalwart—which moved down Orchard Street last year—has a mix of styles ranging from archival styles (some dating as far back as the 1930s) and seasonal trend collections. Most pairs come in under $300, and you often have a choice of lens color. They're also got a store on West 14th Street and a mini-shop inside Dover Street Market. [Photo]

The Monocle Order

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The "online members club for sunglass lovers" opened this showroom last year to showcase their collection of indie and vintage brands. Stop in to pick up your free steel membership card to receive exclusive discounts and party invites. [Photo]

Steven Alan - Brooklyn

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Seriously, what doesn't this man make? The Brooklyn store was one of the first locations to get the optical line last year, but you can shop sunglasses in nearly all of the New York City stores now. [Photo]

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Warby Parker

The Upper East Side branch of the online-born brand opened earlier this year, bringing their total number of shops in the city to three. Most pairs of non-prescription sunnies ring in at $95, and Karlie Kloss just debuted a collection here. [Photo by Driely S.]

Oliver Peoples

If you're shopping for sunglasses uptown, then Oliver Peoples is a pretty obvious destination. The brand has collaborated with just about everyone—from Zooey Deschanel to Balmain—and also runs the Mosley Tribes and Paul Smith eyewear companies. Needless to say, the Madison Avenue store has a pretty wide selection of frames to choose from. [Photo: Brian Harkin]

Sunglass Hut

We normally wouldn't suggest you go shopping in Times Square, but since you can get sunglasses here from a 24/7 vending machine, we couldn't pass this up. The store carries your typical huge selection from brand names ranging from Ray Ban to Chanel, and also features a bling wall. [Photo courtesy of Sunglass Hut]

SEE Eyewear

See prides itself on editing the best eyewear from around the world, offering exclusive styles at prices that won't break the bank. A pair of statement-making nonprescription sunglasses will run you $99. [Photo]

Fabulous Fanny's

"If you have to wear them... make it fun," is the store's slogan. Specializing in vintage eyewear, this East Village mainstay is a catalogue of authentically old school frames in quantities you won't find anywhere else. Expect to spend hours here trying on funky shapes to find the perfect quirkiness. [Photo]

Silver Lining Opticians

Vintage and contemporary frames mingle at this West Soho shop. They have nine commandments, one of which is "Lots of things may look good on your face shape, it's about personality and desire." Plus, they have a semi-secret back room for private consultations. [Photo]

ILORI

Since shopping for shades can sometimes be just as tricky as shopping for prescription frames, take advantage of Ilori's personal style appointments. On the boutique's website, you can even select your frame and designer preference ahead of time, so they'll be waiting for you upon your arrival. [Photo]

Mykita

The German-based brand arrived to Soho last summer, debuting an all-white decor that makes sure you're only focused on the frames in store. [Photo via Mykita]

Three Monkeys Eyewear

Alongside their own brand, which hails all the way from Chile, the Soho shop also carries shades from Marc Jacobs, Ray Ban, DSquared, and Prada. Round out your sunglass purchase with a vinyl monkey akin to those seen in the store's "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” logo. [Photo via Flickr/Scott Beale]

Cutler and Gross

The British brand debuted its first stateside store here last year, and offers a bespoke frame-making service in addition to the more than 4,000 styles that they keep in stock. Expect to pay a pretty penny—at least $500—for any one of these hand-made styles. [Photo]

Selima Optique

Selima Boutique operates eight shops out of New York, LA, and Paris combined, but the Soho one has always been near-and-dear to sunglass aficionados, celebrities, and fashion editors alike. The shop carries designer Selima Salaun's own well-crafted frames, as well as vintage sunglasses and spectacles. [Photo]

Anne Et Valentin

This French brand is yet another of the several eyewear stores that came to Lower Manhattan this year, bringing with them graphic, glamorous frames in striking colors. [Photo]

RETROSUPERFUTURE

The Italian brand has gained major popularity in its seven short years of existence, and opened this flagship store last year. Start by choosing your hand-made frame shape, ranging from classic to the geometric Luciano, and select frame and lens color from there. [Photo: Paul Barbera for Retrosuperfuture]

Moscot

This LES stalwart—which moved down Orchard Street last year—has a mix of styles ranging from archival styles (some dating as far back as the 1930s) and seasonal trend collections. Most pairs come in under $300, and you often have a choice of lens color. They're also got a store on West 14th Street and a mini-shop inside Dover Street Market. [Photo]

The Monocle Order

The "online members club for sunglass lovers" opened this showroom last year to showcase their collection of indie and vintage brands. Stop in to pick up your free steel membership card to receive exclusive discounts and party invites. [Photo]

Steven Alan - Brooklyn

Seriously, what doesn't this man make? The Brooklyn store was one of the first locations to get the optical line last year, but you can shop sunglasses in nearly all of the New York City stores now. [Photo]