Where to buy Melbourne's best sunglasses

Looking to upgrade your sunnies this summer? Whether you're after luxe metal frames or a colour-popping statement piece, the search is over.

Carlton Eye Lab

Carlton Eye Lab is your one-stop shop for unique and hard-to-find brands. The lab provides both prescription services and regular sunglasses in store. Choose a pair that will stand out from the crowd. There are a heap of international brands available like Lowercase NYC, Paris’ Sabine Be, colourful Kirk & Kirk, and more. They also make their own brand of exclusive frames and sunglasses with a German frame-maker.

Sener Besim

This luxury jeweller and eyewear designer is one for those with cash to splash. With an exclusive boutique located in the 80 Collins precinct, Sener Besim delivers sunglasses that take luxe to the next level. One pair even features a 24k gold–coated lens. Their designs are all unisex, and it’s worth popping in-store to check out their unique jewellery as well.

Szade

Szade are an Australian brand taking discarded, faulty and wasted frames and recycling the plastic into a new pair of sunglasses. As fashion waste becomes a huge problem across the world, it’s always great to feel like you’re not creating new materials when purchasing your latest pair. Head to Universal Store in QV to check out their modern, statement-making range of non-binary sunnies.

Henderson's Optical

This popular optical store was established in 1950, and has now relocated to a new store at The Strand. Stocking a range of avant-garde eyewear, Henderson's Optical provide both prescription and regular sunglasses. Choose from a range of boutique and designer eyewear brands like Cartier, Chanel and Thom Browne.

Try vintage instead

If you’re into recycling and sustainable fashion, there are so many great vintage stores in Melbourne to choose from. Try your luck at American Rag in QV or Martin Fella in North Melbourne. Go thrifting at Hunter Gatherer in Royal Arcade off Bourke Street. Or pick up a new pair of retro-inspired sunnies at Retrostar Vintage in the Nicholas Building.