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 Photo: Eye Spy Optical
Photo: Eye Spy Optical

Sunny Days: Where to Buy Sunglasses in Chicago

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Photo: Eye Spy Optical

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Chicago's blessedly sunny, all-too-short days of summer are upon us. If you're anything like us, you've misplaced last year's sunglasses already (or, you know, sat on the pair you bought last weekend.) So, we're once again rolling out our map of Chicago's best spot for sun-shielding specs. Take a look at the lineup, below, and save yourself from some major squinting. Here's to sunny days ahead!


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Quality Optical

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Originally open in the Loop in 1920, this shop is now in the heart of Lincoln Square. Its eyewear selection ranges from on-trend to rare and vintage, and specs represent eras from 1930s through the 1970s. [Photo: via Yelp]

CustomEyes

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Open since 2004, this Southport shop is the real deal: it's owned by optometrists. The store's offerings range from comprehensive eye exams to laser-vision correction, and it also stocks sunglasses. Frames come from Paul Smith, Oliver Peoples, and Prada. [Photo: via Yelp]

Eye Spy Optical

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This adorable Lakeview shop— decked in hues that remind us of Pee-Wee's Playhouse—has been kicking since 1998. A selection of "unique frames" includes includes limited-production goods from small labels in Europe, Japan, and North America. [Photo: via Yelp]

Red Eye Optical

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This Ravenswood shop—which stocks sunglasses from brands such as Persol and Gucci—is dedicated to good deeds. Its owner, Dr. Matthew Gifford, travels to Honduras each year to give eye exams. [Photo: via Yelp]

Eye Want

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The team at Eye Want believes that eyewear should be made in small batches and assembled by hand in a country known specifically for eyewear production. Visit their shop for hundreds of styles from independent brands hailing from France, Japan, England, Italy, Germany as well as original vintage styles from America. [Photo credit]

d/vision optical

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A Division Street staple for sunglasses and prescription frames, this spot carries brands like Mykita and Paul Smith. Bonus: rotating art exhibits spruce up its walls. [Photo: via D/Vision]

Labrabbit Optics

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One of Chicago's retail treasures, Labrabbit is where the stylish, bespectacled set heads for contemporary and vintage frames. [Photo: via Labrabbit Optics]

Oliver Peoples

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The Gold Coast outpost of this national chain carries vintage-style and on-trend shades for men and women. [Photo: via Oliver Peoples]

Glasses, Ltd.

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Tucked away on the fifth floor of the 900 Shops, this hidden gem stocks stylish eyewear from brands like Oliver Peoples, Prada, Mykita, and Robert Mark. [Photo: via Glasses Ltd.]

Solstice

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Designer brands are the focus (get it?) at his Mag Mile shop. Find frames from McQueen, Persol, Balenciaga, Gucci, Armani, and more. [Photo: via Solstice]

Solo Eye Care

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Laid out like an art gallery with gilded frames and gleaming wood fixtures, this is the South Loop spot for serious eyewear. Co-owned by a duo of highly pedigreed optometrists, the shop offers eye exams, specialized contact lenses, and eyewear from brands like Chanel, Salt. Optics, and IC! Berlin. [Photo: via Solo Eye Care]

Occhiali Eyeglass

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This Old Town shop has a doctor on site, and carries sunglasses from global brands. Items come from Tom Ford, Salt, Lafont, and more. [Photo: via Facebook]

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Quality Optical

Originally open in the Loop in 1920, this shop is now in the heart of Lincoln Square. Its eyewear selection ranges from on-trend to rare and vintage, and specs represent eras from 1930s through the 1970s. [Photo: via Yelp]

CustomEyes

Open since 2004, this Southport shop is the real deal: it's owned by optometrists. The store's offerings range from comprehensive eye exams to laser-vision correction, and it also stocks sunglasses. Frames come from Paul Smith, Oliver Peoples, and Prada. [Photo: via Yelp]

Eye Spy Optical

This adorable Lakeview shop— decked in hues that remind us of Pee-Wee's Playhouse—has been kicking since 1998. A selection of "unique frames" includes includes limited-production goods from small labels in Europe, Japan, and North America. [Photo: via Yelp]

Red Eye Optical

This Ravenswood shop—which stocks sunglasses from brands such as Persol and Gucci—is dedicated to good deeds. Its owner, Dr. Matthew Gifford, travels to Honduras each year to give eye exams. [Photo: via Yelp]

Eye Want

The team at Eye Want believes that eyewear should be made in small batches and assembled by hand in a country known specifically for eyewear production. Visit their shop for hundreds of styles from independent brands hailing from France, Japan, England, Italy, Germany as well as original vintage styles from America. [Photo credit]

d/vision optical

A Division Street staple for sunglasses and prescription frames, this spot carries brands like Mykita and Paul Smith. Bonus: rotating art exhibits spruce up its walls. [Photo: via D/Vision]

Labrabbit Optics

One of Chicago's retail treasures, Labrabbit is where the stylish, bespectacled set heads for contemporary and vintage frames. [Photo: via Labrabbit Optics]

Oliver Peoples

The Gold Coast outpost of this national chain carries vintage-style and on-trend shades for men and women. [Photo: via Oliver Peoples]

Glasses, Ltd.

Tucked away on the fifth floor of the 900 Shops, this hidden gem stocks stylish eyewear from brands like Oliver Peoples, Prada, Mykita, and Robert Mark. [Photo: via Glasses Ltd.]

Solstice

Designer brands are the focus (get it?) at his Mag Mile shop. Find frames from McQueen, Persol, Balenciaga, Gucci, Armani, and more. [Photo: via Solstice]

Solo Eye Care

Laid out like an art gallery with gilded frames and gleaming wood fixtures, this is the South Loop spot for serious eyewear. Co-owned by a duo of highly pedigreed optometrists, the shop offers eye exams, specialized contact lenses, and eyewear from brands like Chanel, Salt. Optics, and IC! Berlin. [Photo: via Solo Eye Care]

Occhiali Eyeglass

This Old Town shop has a doctor on site, and carries sunglasses from global brands. Items come from Tom Ford, Salt, Lafont, and more. [Photo: via Facebook]