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Although the sun shines bright in LA year-round, summer's rays are on another level, which is why you're likely in the market for a new set of sunnies that are as protective as they are photo-worthy. Just in time for National Sunglasses Day, we've rounded up a handful of popular shops — and hidden gems! — that are stacked with eye-catching frames, from retro to modern to futuristic.
Given that our city is filled with tons of sunwear stores, we've narrowed it down to the 17 best, approved by local style stars, global tastemakers, and Hollywood celebrities alike.
From Chanel to Celine to Versace, this is your place for top-tier designer frames. A favorite among LA's top artisans, Dan Deutsch operates eight locations in LA. We're frequent visitors of the West 3rd St store.
Sleek and futuristic, this store carries Dita's full range of oversize, glam frames as well as vintage options from labels like Carrera. For OC folks, Dita just opened a stunning shop in Newport Beach.
Following in the footsteps of his parents (founders of Oliver Peoples!), Garrett Leight carried on his family's eyewear legacy with his own shop which stocks a variety of too-cool, logo-free shades that you'll want to wear season after season. GLCO also has a must-see shop in Venice.
As the name states, this boutique specializes in men's vintage eyewear—specifically, from the 1920s through the 1980s. Owner Van de la Plante travels the world in search of pristine frames from years past. He sells his finds alongside other old school men's accessories; to complete the men's club vibe, scotch is on offer.
Eyewear guru Julia Gogosha is seriously committed to sourcing the newest and most unique glasses out there. From limited editions to collaborations and one-of-a-kinds from brands like Cutler and Gross, Salt. and RVS, the frames at times approach work-of-art status.
There are three reasons why l.a. Eyeworks is awesome: 1) they have LA in their name, 2) they have stellar sales on a truly eclectic mix of glasses, and 3) Simpsons creator Matt Groening draws their sale flyers.
What do Zooey Deschanel, Kristen Stewart, Robert Downey Jr., and Rooney Mara all have in common? Besides being screen-stealing brunettes, they're all high-flying fans of Oliver Peoples. Co-founded in 1987 by native Angeleno Larry Leight, the iconic eyewear house is known for producing classically cool specs that transcend trends.
RetroSpecs specializes in one-of-a-kind eyewear, much of it hand-crafted. They're also restoration specialists, and run every antique frame that they find through an intensive cleaning and polishing process.
Sisters and frame obsessives Amy and Katie O’Connell have been serving the Eagle Rock population since 2007, offering retro-ish designs from cool brands both well and lesser known. On the shelves are styles by Garrett Leight, Francis Klein, Fiction, Dita, and Salt., among others.
Find all of Warby Parker's cool-kid sunnies at their new permanent shop in the lobby of The Standard, Hollywood. From cat-eyed to wayfarers to aviators, they've got all sorts of frames for every style.
Last year, Crap Eyewear opened its vibrant showroom and headquarters, to the public, just in time for festival season. The quaint space features high ceilings, tons of natural light (perfect for selfies), and hosts Crap's full range of sunglasses, including all of its bestsellers.
This cult-favorite, NY-based brand opened its first West Coast flagship last year, offering Venice shoppers its full range of stylish specs and sunglasses. The space also features a build-your-own bar, where customers can learn how to customize their frames.
Ahlem Eyewear recently slipped into its very first brick and mortar store and studio, right here in LA. Located on up-and-coming Lincoln — just a few steps from Flowerboy Projects and a few blocks from dressmaker Christy Dawn — Ahlem Manai-Platt's debut digs offer an intimate introduction to the frames that stars like Beyonce and Kendall Jenner can't get enough of.
This sleek boutique at Culver City's Platform lifestyle center showcases the London-based luxury label's bestselling opticals and sunglasses for women and men. Interior elements include unique gold fixtures for showcasing Farrow's frames.
The just-launched LA brand is seeing to it that our peepers are properly protected, starting with its first boutique in Larchmont Village. Already beloved by blogstars and celebs (Cara Delevigne, Kendall and Kylie, and Emma Roberts, to name a few), Perverse's debut shop stocks its full range of statement sunnies ($40 to $70) and accessories, from out-of-this-world cat eyes to oversized wonders to retro-modern styles and beyond.
Milan-based contemporary eyewear company Retrosuperfuture has opened its second retail space in the United States, right here in LA. Located in a prime, can't-miss space in Silver Lake, the shop was designed by Mexico City's Savvy Studio and features metal, stone, wood, and nature elements to house its stylish options.
From Chanel to Celine to Versace, this is your place for top-tier designer frames. A favorite among LA's top artisans, Dan Deutsch operates eight locations in LA. We're frequent visitors of the West 3rd St store.
Sleek and futuristic, this store carries Dita's full range of oversize, glam frames as well as vintage options from labels like Carrera. For OC folks, Dita just opened a stunning shop in Newport Beach.
Following in the footsteps of his parents (founders of Oliver Peoples!), Garrett Leight carried on his family's eyewear legacy with his own shop which stocks a variety of too-cool, logo-free shades that you'll want to wear season after season. GLCO also has a must-see shop in Venice.
As the name states, this boutique specializes in men's vintage eyewear—specifically, from the 1920s through the 1980s. Owner Van de la Plante travels the world in search of pristine frames from years past. He sells his finds alongside other old school men's accessories; to complete the men's club vibe, scotch is on offer.
Eyewear guru Julia Gogosha is seriously committed to sourcing the newest and most unique glasses out there. From limited editions to collaborations and one-of-a-kinds from brands like Cutler and Gross, Salt. and RVS, the frames at times approach work-of-art status.
There are three reasons why l.a. Eyeworks is awesome: 1) they have LA in their name, 2) they have stellar sales on a truly eclectic mix of glasses, and 3) Simpsons creator Matt Groening draws their sale flyers.
What do Zooey Deschanel, Kristen Stewart, Robert Downey Jr., and Rooney Mara all have in common? Besides being screen-stealing brunettes, they're all high-flying fans of Oliver Peoples. Co-founded in 1987 by native Angeleno Larry Leight, the iconic eyewear house is known for producing classically cool specs that transcend trends.
RetroSpecs specializes in one-of-a-kind eyewear, much of it hand-crafted. They're also restoration specialists, and run every antique frame that they find through an intensive cleaning and polishing process.
Sisters and frame obsessives Amy and Katie O’Connell have been serving the Eagle Rock population since 2007, offering retro-ish designs from cool brands both well and lesser known. On the shelves are styles by Garrett Leight, Francis Klein, Fiction, Dita, and Salt., among others.
Find all of Warby Parker's cool-kid sunnies at their new permanent shop in the lobby of The Standard, Hollywood. From cat-eyed to wayfarers to aviators, they've got all sorts of frames for every style.
Last year, Crap Eyewear opened its vibrant showroom and headquarters, to the public, just in time for festival season. The quaint space features high ceilings, tons of natural light (perfect for selfies), and hosts Crap's full range of sunglasses, including all of its bestsellers.
This cult-favorite, NY-based brand opened its first West Coast flagship last year, offering Venice shoppers its full range of stylish specs and sunglasses. The space also features a build-your-own bar, where customers can learn how to customize their frames.
Ahlem Eyewear recently slipped into its very first brick and mortar store and studio, right here in LA. Located on up-and-coming Lincoln — just a few steps from Flowerboy Projects and a few blocks from dressmaker Christy Dawn — Ahlem Manai-Platt's debut digs offer an intimate introduction to the frames that stars like Beyonce and Kendall Jenner can't get enough of.
This sleek boutique at Culver City's Platform lifestyle center showcases the London-based luxury label's bestselling opticals and sunglasses for women and men. Interior elements include unique gold fixtures for showcasing Farrow's frames.
The just-launched LA brand is seeing to it that our peepers are properly protected, starting with its first boutique in Larchmont Village. Already beloved by blogstars and celebs (Cara Delevigne, Kendall and Kylie, and Emma Roberts, to name a few), Perverse's debut shop stocks its full range of statement sunnies ($40 to $70) and accessories, from out-of-this-world cat eyes to oversized wonders to retro-modern styles and beyond.
Milan-based contemporary eyewear company Retrosuperfuture has opened its second retail space in the United States, right here in LA. Located in a prime, can't-miss space in Silver Lake, the shop was designed by Mexico City's Savvy Studio and features metal, stone, wood, and nature elements to house its stylish options.
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