The future's so bright... Here's a little round-up of some options for stylish sunglasses in Shanghai if you're looking to pick up a new pair for the summer. Starting with the obvious glasses market, and then moving on into boutique territory, there's something for everyone out there -- especially if you have thousands and thousands of kwai...

Glasses Market

Within a stones throw of Shanghai’s Railway Station (the north one) lies the massive isles of "3yeh Optical". Located on the fourth and fifth floor of the above address -- above a pretty great camera market, incidentally -- the "glasses market" it is a pretty stocked place to hunt for prescription glasses and sunglasses. If you're newer to Shanghai, it's basically where everyone goes to get cheap glasses -- knock-offs frames, although variously poor quality, are a fraction of the cost compared to most western countries. Here you’ll find everything from normal glasses ready to make with your prescription, to colored contact lenses, and sunglasses, in all styles and colors of the rainbow. It's a standard Shanghai market sort of deal with touts calling to you to look at their wares and excessive bargaining the order of the day. Prices here are pretty reasonable for sunglasses and range from 20-200rmb depending on style and lenses quality. Basic wayfarer frames are 20rmb, the heavier, better quality ones can go up towards 200rmb, depending on how poorly your bargain. Most glasses come without labels or brands so no need to worry about a “Cucci” sticker ruining your new specs. It's also an alright place to look for gimmicky, fun frames, and we scored these floro-orange and black sunnies that we too fun to pass up for 40rmb each. I’m sure another two minutes of bargaining could have gotten them lower based on the grin on the sales lady’s face... oh well. For perpetual four-eyed folk you can get prescription lenses put in almost any pair in the place for as low as 120-180rmb extra, depending on the quality and width of the prescription lens. Lots of variety in colors and gradients. Don't worry if you didn't bring your prescription, as most shops are equipped to give you a quick eye exam and craft your lenses on the spot or within a day or two.

Shanghai Code

Nestled in the winding alleyways of Taikang lu’s Tianzifang, is Shanghai Code Vintage Glasses who sell vintage frames -- with real glass lenses, no less -- ranging from small rounded Beatles frames, wayfarers, and some funky large Audrey Hepburn-esque sunnies. Prices range from 240-1800rmb for authentic, unique finds. They have frames from the 1940s to the 1990s and a lot of their styles are pretty fashionable today as we all embrace a resurgence of the retro-chic and throwback nods to those eras. With three locations now and different frames at each place you can make a nice little afternoon in and around Tianzifang, stopping by their newest location across from the Jianguo Lu entrance.

O.D.C. Shanghai

For really high-end, hard-to-find-in Shanghai brands, check out O.D.C. on Zizhong Lu in Xintiandi. Inside you’ll find display cases with a small but elegant selection of spectacles and sunglasses, sourced from small European brands and some local designers. O.D.C. is one of the few stockists in the city for the Italian brand Super Sunglasses, which is surely one of the most unimaginative names for a company that makes shades, but don’t let that put you off. Super was created by Daniel Beckerman, who publishes PIG Magazine, one of the best independent music and fashion rags in Italy. The brand does a beautiful line in handmade retro glasses with Zeiss lenses and acetate frames. Most of its designs are twists on the classic Wayfarer look, but with more upfront, punked-out touches. The rest of the store's collection draws on a similar 1950s and ’60s aesthetic. They have high-end, small-edition frames from Japanese, German, and Polish brands including a few pairs of handmade, hand-finished retro half-rims that are real hot shit. But nothing this cool comes cheap. Expect to pay around 4000rmb and up for most of the sunnies, which is a crippling markup on their cost in Europe. There are optometrist facilities if you want proper lenses, but the guy who runs the place is one of those grouches who grunts at his customers, so don’t expect any sunny smiles.

Mu Gen Sunglasses

If designer frames at cheaper prices is what you're looking for, another place to venture into is Mu Gen Sunglasses -- a bit off the beaten track, but if you can find it you’ll soon see it’s worth the initial confusion. Basically, it's an incognito glasses mecca inside an office building. They offer (what seem to be) real designer glasses and sunglasses (also available in prescriptions) for discounted designer prices. Don't expect to bargain, as most glasses are tagged with discount stickers only discernible by the staff. These glasses are still are cheaper than what you’d find at the designer stores themselves (think on-sale in Hong Kong prices -- 20-40% discount). Here you’ll find the latest Karen Walkers, Ray Bans, Marc Jacobs, and smaller designers to fulfill your framed fantasies. If you want to have a look at what the have in stock, check out their webpage right here. The majority of their stock is priced in the 2,000rmb to 3,000rmb range. Ouch.

Coterie

A recent addition to the city, Coterie on Julu Lu offers high-end designer sunglasses, without the excessive label branding, giving you a chance to let your specs speak for themselves. They stock looks and refined designs by Dior Hommes, Elizabeth & James, Dita and Persol, to name a few. The shop itself almost feels like an art gallery with chic and tasteful displays adding thoughtful context to the frames. With their creative displays and beautiful frames it’s hard not to fall in love with this place. They even stock the super-functional Sun Pocket II foldable frames, equipped with mirrored lenses that have recently made a comeback. Our favorite were the Fairfax frames with gold lenses that would be in our possession now if not for their steep price tag (1,750rmb, respectively). They were pretty sweet. These glasses would definitely warrant a neck chain so you wouldn’t loose these puppies, which may even make their cool-factor skyrocket even higher. For guys, they have some Thom Browne pairs that would make any outfit instantly hipster-ized, and plenty hints of neon throughout the store to satisfy your summer hankering to flash some obnoxious color. Check out their website here to see the brands they carry. ***