Collegiettes: is your future so bright you gotta wear shades? Or maybe it’s that powerful summer sun that's making you squint. Either way, we’ve got you -- and your eyes -- covered. Read on for our favorite stores for sunglasses.
For quirky, cool, so-hipster-it-hurts glasses, there’s no better place than Urban Outfitters. Here, you’ll find adorable heart-shaped and cat-eye versions, classic Ray-Bans, glasses that look like they could have belonged to John Lennon and more. They range in price from $12 to $385, but the vast majority are an affordable $16.
2. Forever 21
If you’re the type of girl who loses her sunglasses on the first or second day of vacation, consider buying your next pair at Forever 21. At $5.80 a pop, your wallet won’t shed any tears if you have to buy two pairs before the summer is up (or four, let’s be real). Plus, Forever 21 has some super cute options, from American flag-themed to glam animal print.
3. Etsy
You might think of Etsy as the place for monogrammed iPhone cases and pretty jewelry, but the site actually has a great selection of vintage sunglasses. Although these tend to be a little more expensive than the pairs you can buy at the mall, you’re guaranteed to be the only girl at the beach or bonfire that has ‘em.
4. Modcloth
Have you always felt like you were born in the wrong era? Then you’ll love Modcloth’s retro sunglass styles. You can channel your inner pin-up girl with an oversized pair in tortoiseshell, or your favorite Mad Men actress in some sorbet cat-eyes.
5. Wet Seal
If your style is more Hollywood than historical, try Wet Seal. They offer dozens of variations on the traditional oversized sunglasses that celebrities love to rock. Bonus: each pair is only $7.50, meaning that you don’t need Nicole Richie’s fortune or designer connections to look like her.
6. ASOS
Variety is the spice of life, and British fashion retailer ASOS is big on variety — especially when it comes to glasses. For the collegiettes who waltz through the store and can’t find a single thing they like enough to buy, we challenge you to search through ASOS’s 400-plus selection and not fall in love with at least one pair. Our favorites include their chunky, futuristic sunglasses and their traditional aviators.
Everyone needs a dash of whimsy in their life, and Anthropologie’s sunglasses will charm the socks… er, flip-flops off of everyone you come across. From their gorgeous, watercolor-inspired light blue Tana sunglasses to their striped, Mondrian-esque Tucker glasses, Anthro has the most feminine fare we’ve ever seen.
8. Nordstrom
Oh, you fancy huh! Sometimes, nothing but the best will do, so if you’re craving statement-making sunglasses, and you’re willing to part with the equivalent of, like, 30 hours of pay from your summer job, then go to Nordstrom for designer glasses. They offer lust-worthy brands like Prada, Ferragamo, Dior and Valentino. The one thing all of those brands have in common? The ability to produce sunglasses that go beyond mere useful accessory into work-of-art status. You may lose your paycheck, but you’re practically getting a Picasso.
So don't worry if you can't find your favorites from last summer, because there are tons of great places to hit up in your search for sunnies. Whether you love crazy styles or the classics, we guarantee there's a pair out there for you.