The 12 Best Places to Buy Sunglasses in 2021

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The Rundown

Best Overall: Warby Parker

"With styles that come in a variety of lens and frame colorways."

Best Style: Madewell

"Offers a solid selection of updated Wayfarer and cat-eye shapes."

Best Splurge: Nordstrom

"Features iconic brands like Alexander McQueen, CELINE, and Chloé."

Best Budget: Target

"Find cute pairs for less than $20."

Best One-Stop Shop: Zappos

"An easy, quick place to gather plenty of gear from trusted names."

Best for Festivals: Urban Outfitters

"Perfectly on-trend, with styles like round, square, and cat-eye."

Best for Convenience: Amazon

"Makes it easy to grab a last-minute pair of vacation sunglasses."

Best for Thrifting: ThredUP

"Expect names like Dolce & Gabbana and CELINE for prices half off retail."

Best for Sports: Backcountry

"A great selection of sunglasses made specifically for almost any sport or activity."

Best for Variety: ASOS

"Ranges from its own, affordable in-house line of glasses to top names."

Our Top Picks

01 of 12

Best Overall: Warby Parker

Warby Parker x Tyler Oakley Eyeglasses & Sunglasses — Courtesy of Eyewear Blogger
https://www.eyewearblogger.com/warby-parker/sunglasses/warby-parker-x-tyler-oakley

Warby Parker, a big, eyewear disruptor that specializes in affordable prescription glasses, offers prescription sunglasses, too. Expect men’s, women’s, and unisex styles that come in a variety of lens and frame colorways so you can find a unique pair to call your own. The best part is the free home try-on, where you can pick up to five frames to try on and have them shipped to you. Even more, the company has brick-and-mortar locations if you'd like to try the glasses on in person.

02 of 12

Best Style: Madewell

Madewell Annie Winged Sunglasses — Courtesy of Shop It to Me
https://www.shopittome.com/sale/womens?b=5424&c=112&d=1

Madewell’s collection of top-quality, vintage-inspired sunglasses is just as stylish as their clothing, bags, and other accessories. At a reasonable price, they offer a solid selection of updated Wayfarer and cat-eye shapes, plus collaborations with typically high-end sunglass designers like Karen Walker. Although its offerings are small during the winter months, keep an eye out in-season for more sunglasses.

03 of 12

Best Splurge: Nordstrom

Bose Frames Rondo 49.5mm Audio Sunglasses — Courtesy of Nordstrom
https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/bose-frames-rondo-49-5mm-audio-sunglasses/5239526/full

While there are plenty of affordable sunglasses available online and in-store, Nordstrom is great if you’re looking to splurge on a pricey, designer pair. With iconic brands like Alexander McQueen, CELINE, and Chloé, as well as traditional designers like COACH and Burberry, there’s no shortage of sunglasses to contemplate blowing your next paycheck on. Plus, with plenty of locations, including a new NYC flagship, you can even try on some pairs.

04 of 12

Best Budget: Target

Women's Aviator Sunglasses w/ Blue Lenses - Wild Fable™ Gold — Courtesy of Target
https://www.target.com/p/women-39-s-aviator-sunglasses-w-blue-lenses-wild-fable-8482-gold/-/A-16699768

Target’s sunglass section is one of the best places for finding cute pairs at less than $20. With plenty of trendy styles available year-round, from aviators to fashion-forward, oversized square frames, the store also carries sunglasses for men and kids in addition to its women’s selection. Target even offers free order pick-ups that are usually available on the same day.

Continue to 5 of 12 below.

05 of 12

Best One-Stop Shop: Zappos

kate spade new york Karalyn/S — Courtesy of Zappos
https://www.zappos.com/a/the-style-room/product/9070613/color/499299?rl=true

Zappos’ wide inventory doesn’t just include shoes: the store carries plenty of travel bags, socks, and sunglasses for men, women, and kids, too, making the site an easy, quick place to gather plenty of gear from trusted names. From Vans to Quay, the brand names are verified at Zappos and the shipping is still free. Better yet, there are 365-day returns available.

06 of 12

Best for Festivals: Urban Outfitters

Shakedown Oversized Round Sunglasses — Courtesy of Urban Outfitters
https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shop/shakedown-oversized-round-sunglasses?category=womens-sunglasses&color=015&type=REGULAR

With dozens of affordable and designer offerings for men and women, Urban Outfitters has sunglasses for everyone, whether you’re heading to Lollapalooza or Coachella. Case in point: their sunglasses start around $20 and include Ray-Bans, Le Specs, and even Prada. The frames are all perfectly on-trend, with styles like round, square, and cat-eye.

07 of 12

Best for Convenience: Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAHV221

Amazon’s Prime membership makes it easy to grab a last-minute pair of vacation sunglasses delivered within two days — or even sooner in some markets. Plus, with a variety of price points and styles, you can find a pair for every member of the family. Just keep in mind that designer names aren’t always verified, so it might not be the place for a luxury splurge. Look out for lightning deals for the best deals of the day.

08 of 12

Best for Thrifting: ThredUP

Juicy Couture One SizeSunglasses — Courtesy of thredUP
https://www.thredup.com/product/x-juicy-couture-brown-sunglasses/63454837

ThredUP is like your favorite secondhand store — just more neatly organized and easier to find your next hidden gem. Their sunglass section is really something, with consigners selling glasses from names like Dolce & Gabbana and CELINE for prices half off retail, as well as affordable names like Vineyard Vines, too. Even more, you can filter your selection by condition (new with tags, like-new, gently used, or signs of wear).

Continue to 9 of 12 below.

09 of 12

Best for Sports: Backcountry

Kaenon Burnet Mid Polarized Sunglasses — Courtesy of Backcountry
https://www.backcountry.com/kaenon-burnet-mid-sunglasses-polarized

Outdoor-brand Backcountry has a great selection of sunglasses made specifically for almost any sport or activity. You’ll find names in-store and online like Kaenon, Oakley, and Julbo, as well as snow goggles for winter activities like snowboarding and skiing. If you’re shopping online, smart filters like “Recommended Use” and “Shape” help you find the perfect pair in just a few clicks.

10 of 12

Best for Variety: ASOS

ASOS DESIGN retro sunglasses in gunmetal & matte black — Courtesy of ASOS
https://www.asos.com/au/asos-design/asos-design-retro-sunglasses-in-gunmetal-matte-black/prd/9099410

ASOS’ wide collection of sunglasses ranges from its own, affordable in-house line of glasses to top names like Ray-Ban, Versace, and Quay. There’s also a huge variety of styles, from trendy, tiny rectangular glasses to classic shapes like Clubmasters. Whether you’re trying to be seen or just trying to see, there’s a frame on the site for you. Sign up for a free trial of their two-day delivery program to get yours now.

11 of 12

Best Value: Macy's

Ray-Ban Polarized Sunglasses , RB3025 AVIATOR — Courtesy of Macy's
https://www.macys.com/shop/product/ray-ban-polarized-sunglasses-rb3025-aviator?ID=1495533&CategoryID=28295&swatchColor=GOLD%2FGREEN%20POLAR&swatchColor=GOLD%2FGREEN%20POLAR

On any given day, some serious bargains on designer sunglasses can be found in Macy’s sale section. Expect Tory Burch cat-eye glasses for almost half off, the ever-popular Ray-Ban Ericas at a major discount, or oversized Dolce & Gabbana shades for a solid discount off retail price. Filters like frame style, face shape, lens technology, and lens color make the wide selection super-easy to shop, too.

12 of 12

Best Mid-Priced: Topfoxx

TopFoxx Indecent High Fashion Cateye Sunglasses for Women — Courtesy of Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CL9735Y/?tag=tripsavvy02-20

Not everyone wants to get a bargain pair of shades that’ll snap after one summer — nor do they want to drop serious cash on a designer pair. For that sweet, mid-priced spot, Topfoxx has a great selection of men's and women's sunglasses that'll still last a few seasons. Modern takes on classic styles like oversized cat-eyes and updated Wayfarer styles, plus quality construction, make this a pre-vacation go-to.