The best independent shops for sunglasses in NYC

Girlprops

Photo: Francine Daveta

Eye Shoppe on 7th
TONY Discount! Don’t let the unassuming storefront fool you: Veteran optician Michael Stoff’s smallish shop has been framing faces on the Slope for more than 17 years, and his informative (if at times brusque) staff won’t rest until you’ve found the perfect pair. The walls and glass cases are jam-packed with offbeat shades from obscure European brands like Theo, Face à Face and Anne et Valentin. Prices start around $100, but mention TONY through May 15 and get them for 20 percent less. 107 Seventh Ave at President St, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-789-0841, eyeshoppe7.com)

H.L. Purdy
If you’re looking to splurge on shades, eyewear emporium H.L. Purdy is the place to do it. In addition to upscale labels like Oliver Peoples, Paul Smith and Persol ($250 and up), Purdy offers frames that come in solid gold or wrapped in leather. There are three locations and the flagship has been around for 70 years, so the staff knows a thing or two about the biz. 501 Madison Ave at 52nd St (212-688-8050, hlpurdy.com) • 1171 Madison Ave at 86th St (212-249-3997)

Fabulous Fanny’s
TONY Discount! Whether you’re channeling Brigitte Bardot or Benjamin Franklin, there’s a pair of sunnies to fit your mood at this treasure trove, which carries more than 40,000 vintage specs unearthed at flea markets and from opticians’ dead stock ($40 to $3,000; mention TONY and get 10 percent off until the end of April). Chests of drawers display antique frames dating as far back as the late 1800s, and are organized by style and era. If those pince-nez or aviator sunglasses are looking a bit too dated for your taste, the staff will happily reshape or bejewel them with Swarovski crystals. 335 E 9th St between First and Second Aves (212-533-0637, fabulousfannys.com)

Nakedeye Optical
Style mavens flock to George Lee and Owen Long’s meticulously curated boutique, which carries cutting-edge designers from around the world, including ic! berlin, Bevel from Japan, and U.K.-based Cutler and Gross. Their encyclopedic knowledge can also help you locate the vintage Cazal, Carlotti and Alpina shades that are right for you. 192 Orchard St between E Houston and Stanton Sts (212-253-4935, nakedeyeoptical.com)

Silver Lining Opticians
TONY Discount! If you dig retro-style sun shields but the idea of sporting anything preworn on your face grosses you out, head to this friendly neighborhood shop, which offers roughly 6,000 pristine vintage frames spanning from the ’60s to the ’80s, from labels like Balenciaga and Dior. You won’t find Oakleys here—owners Jordan Silver and Erik Sacher refuse to sell licensed brands—but you can pick up indie European designers such as London’s Anglo American, Hamburg Eyewear and Parisian line Lafont, plus the duo’s own in-houseline ($195–$1,000; mention TONY and knock 15 percent off through April). 100 Thompson St between Prince and Spring Sts (212-274-9191, silverliningopticians.com).

Moscot
Ever since Hyman Moscot started selling specs from a pushcart on Orchard Street in 1899, this family-run institution has been the most recognizable name in New York eyewear. Now run by fourth-generation brothers, the two sleek shops sell well-known labels, as well as their own two collections: vintage-inspired Moscot Originals and Moscot Spirit, the more modern line ($199—$249; both lines 15 percent off through May). 118 Orchard St at Delancey St (212-477-3796, moscot.com) • 69 W 14th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-647-1550)

Linda Derector
TONY Discount! The bright-red walls aren’t the only arresting things at this cheery accessories boutique: Never-worn vintage sunglasses by some of the most recognizable names (Gucci, Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier and Cartier) neatly line glass shelves in color-coded blocks. Styles range from iconic classics to out-there designs, but either way they don’t come cheap­—around $225–$495. Alas, fame comes at a price. Mention TONY for 20 percent off through April. 211 Mott St between Prince and Spring Sts (212-680-3023, lindaderector.com)

Artsee Eyewear
As evidenced by the way proprietors Oleg Rabinovich and Julio Santiago treat their inventory like objets d’art—only 100 or so frames ($375–$5,000) are displayed on illuminated shelves at a time—this well-curated space is for the serious sunglass collector. The stock changes every two months and includes custom-made buffalo-horn rims and avant-garde shapes. 863 Washington St between 13th and 14th Sts (212-414-0900, artseeeyewear.com)

Bond 07 by Selima
Optician and designer Selima Salaun made a name for herself with an extensive line of upscale eyewear popular with celebrity clientele. Here, she offers the 100 styles and shades she’s known for, alongside feminine clothing and accessories to pair them with. They’ll usually set you back $250 to $325, but discontinued styles are only $100­—until they run out. Forever. 7 Bond St between Broadway and Lafayette St (212-677-8487, selimaoptique.com)

Facial Index
While heavy on the tortoiseshell and horn-rimmed variety, the architectural frames ($180–$400) displayed on frosted glass at this loftlike industrial space still manage to be impossibly forward and hip. Hand-carved Japanese brands like Spivvy and Lazy Red come with tinted lenses, and are so mod you’ll want to wear them everywhere, even on the subway. But please, don’t. 104 Grand St at Mercer St (646-613-1055, facial-index.com)

Fred Flare
This ephemera-filled store stocks endearingly quirky shades in every recognizable shape and color for just $11 a pop. Risky Business frames are a top seller and come in eight different hues, but you’ll have just as much fun in checkered picnic or color-blocked glasses. Budget fashionistas will appreciate the Jackie O and Carrie styles—and the fact that the latter are named for fashion editor Carrie Donovan, not Bradshaw. 131 Meserole Ave at Leonard St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn (718-349-1257, fredflare.com)

Girlprops
Best known for its varied selection of I-can’t-believe-how-cheap baubles, this bling emporium also stocks insanely affordable sunglasses: Nothing costs more than $13, which is key, considering you know you’ll sit on or lose them in five days, anyway. Try foldable Wayfarers ($9.99) a Lolita-inspired heart-shaped variety with opaque, transparent and glitter frames ($6.99–$9.99); or sun shields with hearts, skulls and roses “tattooed” on the arms ($12.99). 153 Prince St at West Broadway (212-505-7615, girlprops.com)

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Shopping guide '09
Best independent shops Forget chain stores. It's the little guys we're loving right now.