Summon Brighter Days with These Unique Sunglasses
The products listed here were selected by a member of the editorial staff. Should you choose to purchase a product through a link on this page, we may receive an affiliate commission.
Bet you can't pick just one.
Image: Patrick Tak
We hate to jinx Seattle's fickle weather—like buying a brand-new raincoat just as spring comes to a close all but guarantees a drought, investing in a new pair of sunglasses tempts PNW fate. These pairs, mostly from local shops, are so cute they might be worth it.
Illesteva Leonard II E Sunglasses in Blonde, Glasswing Local
$240
Image: Glasswing
Illesteva's large round unisex sunglasses flatter faces of all shapes and sizes, while warm blonde acetate offers a subtler take on the clear-frame trend.
Raie Eyewear Voodoo Sunglasses in Pistachio, Pipe and Row Local
$145
Image: Pipe and Row
Light lenses make this earthy green pair from Raie's effortlessly cool line of sunglasses best suited to overcast days, not all-out summer sunshine. BRB, adding them to a list of Seattle must-haves.
Reality Eyewear Faster Love Sunglasses, Re-Soul Local
$68
Image: ReSoul
Just about everyone had a pair of these rhinestone-adorned sunnies at some point in the early aughts—and like all our favorite fashion statements from that time period, we're looking at this pair (lightly modernized by a wire frame) through rose-colored glasses.
Gemini Sunglasses, Fashion Brand Company
$124
Image: Fashion Brand Company
Fashion Brand Company—"unique and affordable clothing specifically designed for lizards but modeled by humans in human sizes"—carries some seriously one-of-a-kind sunnies, like this wavy pink pair with acetate teeth on the arms. Split-tone frames still inspire double takes, no body horror required.
Brain Dead Sugi Sunglasses, Likelihood Local
$175
Image: Likelihood
Artist collective Brain Dead's huge line of high-quality eyewear runs the gamut from experimental to classic. This pair falls in the latter camp without sacrificing the brand's signature streetwear-ready aesthetic.
Broseph Sunglasses, KAVU Local
$90
Image: KAVU
Ballard-based KAVU brings a uniquely fun and fashion-forward vibe to crunchy PNW outdoor fashion: think high-performance coverage, plus a clean, wear-everywhere look that doesn't scream "hiking" or "sports."
Machete Suzy Sunglasses in Tortoise Checker, Madewell
$155
Image: Machete
Checkers forever; Machete sunglasses for even longer than that.
Wonderland Sunglasses in Watermelon, Sito
$70
Image: Sito
Colored frames are always cool, but colored lenses are a trend made just for 2022. Smaller, angular frames prevent the look from becoming too costumey.
Grace Sunglasses in Jade, Maiden Noir Local
$250
Image: Maiden Noir
Tokyo- and Seattle-based clothing brand Maiden Noir has a penchant for elevating classic silhouettes into high-fashion streetwear—mixing up a classic pair with near-black, emerald frames and green-tinted lenses fits right in their wheelhouse.
Raie Eyewear the Lucky Clover in Cream, Pipe and Row Local
$131
Image: Pipe and Row
Cream sunglasses strike the perfect balance between "goes with everything" and "isn't tortoise or black." Note that the lighter lenses on this pair don't lend themselves well to people watching, but at least those people will see your eyeliner.
Pollux Polished Steel, A Better Feeling
$190
Image: A Better Feeling
It's about time metal had its time to shine in the eyewear world. Literally—those frames look incredible when they catch the sun. Exercise caution on extraterrestrial voyages.
