Linda Derector

This place lives up to its reviews. The selection is unique in the city, the country, maybe the world. Linda is as eclectic and fabulous as her collection. I bought a pair of harry lary’s and Linda had the great suggestion of making them sunglasses, as well as, what color and gradient to use. I will wait to be in town to buy my next frames.
On a separate note: Based on my one experience with the optical place next door, I would give them 1 – 2 stars. They fulfilled my prescription and we had about three interactions in the process. Some attitude once from the front desk girl, and also, I found out later, they did not measure or ask about my pupillary distance, so my glasses had the wrong center focus for my eyes.

I don’t normally write reviews but this place blows everything else in the city out of the water! I have worn glasses all my life and have bought or surveyed glasses from all the high end eye stores in the city — Facial Index, AR Trapp, Selima Optical, See, Morganthal Frederics, Zeitland, etc. etc. I am super picky about my glasses — I want something that is of high quality, not a cookie-​cutter frame, that will last and be elegant, fun, and distinctive. I can’t believe for all these years I didn’t know about Linda Derector. She is known apparently for her vintage glasses but don’t be fooled, she has an outstanding selection of modern, sleek, and unusual glasses too.
I came in looking for optical lenses and am quite certain that I am going back to get sunglasses as well. From now on, I’m getting all my eyewear from this place — or at least heading here first.
The service is really excellent — Linda has a high fashion eye and will be honest with you, and then Elena will fix up the technical aspects of your lenses really well.
The selection of glasses is phenomenal — and the great thing is that Linda Derector is attached to a more staid opticians with more ordinary glasses so if you don’t find anything at LD you can just take 5 steps and be in another opticians with a wide selection of more conventional frames.
LD also has an amazing selection of frames that will fit an Asian bridge (or lack thereof — that’s my problem and she and Elena instantly solved it by showing me only frames that would work with my face. Usually I end up with 1 pair at a store that is okay but has problems and isn’t all that great. At LD, I found 4 frames I just loved to death! And the strange thing is, unlike the $ 600 frames you get at other high end boutiques, LD’s frames are very reasonably priced. After talking with her, I get the sense that her aim is to make people happy not gouge you.
Re-​reading this review I probably sound like Linda’s sister, but I assure you I’m just a regular New Yorker who is enthusiastic when she hits paydirt! And paydirt it is!!! This place is a hidden gem. LD if you ever read this, please don’t expand too much b/​c I like the boutiquey special feel to the place. And there’s nothing like being serviced by the owner herself, with years of experience in eyewear.
BEST EYEGLASSES IN NYC HANDS DOWN!!!

The glasses here are beyond any I’ve seen anywhere! I’m glad to see Linda back in business. Her glasses boutique is as cute as ever. I get compliment everywhere I go with my glasses. Thanks ;)

This is the best place I have ever been to for glasses! I bought new frames for my perscription and my friend bought sun glasses. There is something for everyone. Both Linda and her staff offered outstanding service and gave thoughtful input to styles suitable for our face shapes. My glasses arrived in San Francisco carefully wrapped and with an extra case. I have already recommended Linda Derector to my friends living in NY as well as those traveling to NYC in the near future.

It’s THE best place in NYC for vintage glasses. Everytime I bring someone in there, they find something great…
Not many eye-​wear shops could survive on strictly vintage. These are all perfect shape and the selection is huge!
If you want frames that truly are unique, sunglasses or everyday, this is it.
Many times the owner herself is there too. A great neighborhood spot giving us the best in the country.

A pretty fabulous place to get fabulous glasses. They have a ton of frames and you don’t have to have them unlock each pair or bring it out from behind a glass case. While to be honest, I find it annoying when salespeople keep bringing pairs of glasses for you to try on (even though she was super nice), I did end up choosing one of the pairs she suggested. It’s not cheap. But they are hot glasses.

Okay, I love sunglasses. Shoes for the face, right?
Wow — I happened to walk by this store and not one, but several pairs of truly eye-​catching shades in the window caught my attention, which in hindsight might be the luckiest thing that has happened to me in days/​weeks. I bought two pairs, and they rock!
What an amazing selection of sunglasses, from vintage to tastefully glam, to funky and eclectic (my personal favorites…), and just plain stylish — lots of designers & many uniquqe frames. The selection is seemingly limitless as Linda has shelves upon drawers full, and once she tapped into my taste was able to steer me towards one terrific pair after another. Just a treasure trove of sunglasses — fabulous selection, outstanding service (the optician even darkened a pair of sunglass lenses for me while I waited…).
Also, I found the prices to be very reasonable for high quality product. I don’t want to say it’s a discount store per se, but I was surprisingly pleased by the prices overall, I have to say, very competitive and not Soho-​inflated whatsoever.
This will be on Soho itinerary from now on whenever I go to NYC!
LOVED IT.

Cute little boutique that sells unique eyewear. They have a lot in terms of style range (funky to chic) and brands. I love their vintage items and saw a fantastic pair of vintage Dior glasses in the window. Sadly, they were not for sale!
The ladies who work here are nice and have fun with their jobs. They are good about offering suggestions and finding glasses you may like. Check it out and have fun!

The assortment of sunglasses at Linda Derector’s Nolita shop is astonishing. From vintage Versace frames, to unusual contemporary lines like Ottica Veneta. You can go glitzy/​glam, or try for something more understated. There are even shades for men.
The sunglasses aren’t cheap, but the service is excellent. Linda herself helped me select a pair of sunglasses, and I am delighted by my purchase.