Sunglasses have long been a necessity. Whether you need them for protection purposes, wear them as a stylish accessory or use prescriptive shades, they are a must-have item. Stores in the DC area are here to cater to your needs. It never hurts to have more than one pair of sunglasses, or even one for every shade of sunny, so stock up for the summer.

Designer Shades
Hu’s Wear
2906 M St NW
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 342-2020
www.husonline.com

Hu’s Wear is a Georgetown staple, along with its sister store, Hu’s Shoes. As an upscale boutique known to carry only the latest designer fashions, Hu’s Wear has an equally impressive sunglasses selection. You will find shades with designer names like Oliver Peoples, Lanvin, Gucci, Celine and YSL – it doesn’t get much better than that. The store’s owner travels the world to visit various fashion capitals and beyond to acquire only the best and boldest for Hu’s.

Prescription Eyewear
MyEyeDr
1330 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 785-5700
www.myeyedr.com

The answers to all of your prescription sunglasses questions can be answered at one of the many MyEyeDr locations. MyEyeDr has five locations in DC, more than 15 in Maryland and nearly 20 in Northern Virginia, so there’s guaranteed to be a store near you. With thousands of satisfied patients, MrEyeDr has the right look for everyone. Prescriptions can be added to almost any pair of sunglasses from the extensive collection, which includes protection from UVA and UVB rays or polarization. Find styles from Ray Ban, Chanel, Oakley, Gucci, Prada, Coach and more. MrEyeDr makes scheduling a visit easy by allowing customers to simply request an appointment online.

Sporting Sunglasses
Sun & Ski Sports
14130 Sullyfield Circle
Chantilly, VA 20151
(703) 631-7880
www.sunandski.com

Sun & Ski is part of the infamous Ski Chalet store in Northern Virginia, the go-to for everything sun and snow related. The staff is comprised of extremely knowledgeable and friendly certified professionals that understand the importance of protective eyewear. The sunglasses collection is broken down into categories: active and sport, lifestyle and fashion and polarized. Select sunglasses come with interchangeable lenses and nose pieces. Sun & Ski has a 100 percent performance and price guarantee, meaning if you are unhappy with your purchase, they are happy to work with you in finding a more suitable pair or offer store credit.

Related: Staying Safe In The Summer Sun

Trendy Sunglasses
Lou Lou
7125 Bethesda Lane
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 652-0048
www.loulouboutiques.com

Lou Lou Boutique comes highly rated by locals, an exceptional honor considering the growing number of boutiques in the Washington, DC area. Lou Lou’s sunglasses collection is affordable and trendy, which is why shoppers often purchase more than one pair at a time. Find cute aviators in differed colors and chic studded glasses. The inventory is constantly changing, and Lou Lou also carries reliable sunglasses cases. If you want to take care of all your accessory needs in one place, Lou Lou has you covered with great handbags and amazing jewelry.

Vintage Sunglasses
Meeps DC
2104 18th St. NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 265-6546
www.meepsdc.com

Meeps is one of DC’s top-rated vintage stores where shoppers can find unique, retro sunglasses. Most sunglasses are between $10 and $20, which is quite the bargain. Vintage garments and accessories tend to be overpriced, but not at Meeps. After calling U Street home for nearly 15 years, the savvy shop is now located in the fresh, vibrant neighborhood of Adams Morgan. The independent business has DC residents to thank for years of support and frequent visits.

Related: Best Vintage Stores In DC

Kelly Johnston is a freelance writer living in D.C. She is a soon-to-be University of Alabama graduate who hopes to have a successful career in fashion journalism. Her major is Apparel and Textiles with a Concentration in Fashion Retail and Merchandising and her minor is Journalism. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.