When I'm a wee bit older I don't want to be revered for my intelligence a la Germaine Greer or…read morecelebrated for being enduringly aesthetically pleasing like Sophia Loren. No, no. I want to be able to rock a pair of spectacles like the lovely lady at Fokus. A tiny little boutique located on Centre Place with its sights set firmly on the eyewear market, Fokus sells an incredible range of its own brand sunglasses and spectacles alongside pricier frames by brands including Sydney favourites Isson and ultra high-end label l.a.Eyeworks. Fokus' own brand sunglasses are fashion forward and beautiful looking - if a little flimsy feeling - with prices at around the $90 mark. And with more than a little of a Karen Walker eyewear feel about them, Fokus' sunglasses are as stylish as the pricier brands on offer but much more accessible. Whoever does the buying for this boutique obviously knows their stuff, as alongside an incredible eyewear collection, Fokus sells a few choice accessories - numbering hats, wallets, jewellery and more - which adhere firmly to the label's cool, functional aesthetic. If you're sick of the Guccis, Versaces and Ray Bans of the sunglass market, get yourself along to Fokus. Your peepers will thank you.

At first, they felt a little too bold, but they have turned into my favourite ones in no time…read more Although it was quite a while since I purchased them I remember the dedication, patience and kindness with which this frame was introduced to me:). A little bit belatedly but with all my heart thanks again. Looking forward to finding a similar magnificent pair of glasses with you.

Beyond the bespoke quality frames and superb Japanese service CAL is like no other eyewear shop in…read moreSouth Yarra. Owned and operated by Tetsuo Nishikawa, a former architecture, the place redefines experience and industry providing select designer frames and lenses within 15-30 min. time frame. Cal is by far a step into Japan with contemporary/modern design frames at their greatest. sl

One would think that you were walking in to a clothing store titled 'Mr Simple' as you walk past…read morethis Brunswick Street boutique however The Lab is just doing some advertising (albeit, over-the-top advertising) for one of their main labels. So don't be turned off by the name! This is a great place to shop for a man of any style - you can get some great basics like jeans and plain tees, but then also head down the relaxed-surfer-skater path if you choose. I love all the sunnies that they stock in the window and while this is specifically a store for men, I have purchased a few pairs in my time. Perfect for that sunny day at a festival. The staff are lovely and are happy to let you browse around and the prices are very reasonable.

The Lab Store is a men's clothing shop that sells dapper basics for the slightly more sophisticated…read moreex-skater type. Their clothes are free from bells and whistles and are generally quite plain. However, their stuff is still fashion-forward and not dull. They have a decent selection of jackets, crewnecks and hoodies, shirts, t's and jeans. They also have a good selection of shoes (mostly Vans, but a wide variety) and sunglasses.

Yes, this is the biggest OPSM in Australia. With multiple testing rooms, and literally thousands of…read moreoptions when it comes to frames, this is a great place to book when you need an eye wear update. The thing that really makes this store is the staff. After a recent eye test by one of the friendly optometrists I was handed over to Trent. His job (as far as I can tell) is to help people find the most flattering pair of glasses through a process of patient comparison. He was awesome and spent a good 30 minutes following me around the store, suggesting frames, and carrying them all in a little box so I could then look at them all together. He was a great help and made my experience actually fun, instead of the usual "I want to poke my eyes out" ordeal that comes with buying new frames. So, apart from Trent, OPSM Hub has a number of playback video screens scattered around the store. How do they work? Strut about in front of the screen in your potential new frames one after the other, and then play them all back in a row so you can compare. Genius.

From the owner: OPSM is the leading provider of eye care in Australia & New Zealand, and helps over one million…read morepeople to see better each year.

I'm like Arabella. I love sunglasses. I actually rely on them for sight when I'm outdoors,…read moreregardless of the sun shining or not. And I love how they can change the shape of your face, each pair making you look subtly, and sometimes ridiculously, different. Sunglasses are my fave accessory, steadily followed by bags and then shoes. And although I love the range of designer labels and the look of the fabulous range of glasses, I've always been too intimidated to ask to try them on. I mean, I'm the sort of person who can stand trying on glasses for over an hour. Easily. And I just don't think it would be appropriate to annoy a salesperson for that long, trying on everything she has in her beautiful display cabinet. It's that, and the fact that these beautiful sunnies would cost my kids their uni fund. And because I'm the sort of person who sits on my glasses, drops them, leaves them in harms way (i.e kids), I probably average a new pair a month, its just not possible for me to shop here. They are beautiful though.

I don't have many addictions, but sunglasses certainly number among the few. At once glamorous,…read moremysterious and just ruddy good sense eye-health wise, there is nothing more fun than shopping for sunglasses. And sometimes a trip to prosaic ole Sunglass Hut just won't do. My other favourite option? Moot Designer Sunglasses. Located within Melbourne Central station, Moot Designer Sunglasses stocks an incredible range of sunglass brands, from the expected - Tom Ford, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent - to the local - Ksubi, Le Specs - to the very expensively nichely hard to find. Balenciaga, Linda Farrow Luxe, Cazal, I'm talking to you. Prices are predictably frightening, staff predictably pretty and stock predictably locked away under lock and key. If I could change one thing about Moot it would be this. Sunglass shopping is so much more fun when you don't have to ask to try embarrassingly inappropriate things on.

This is my first ever negative review of anything. I have lived in 5 continents and the attitude…read morehere was unique. I had an appointment but was unable to find the store given the rabbit Warren of Melbourne central. so I was late. This was my bad. However, the phone call to my wife asking where I was, and the tone to me when I finally found the place was unconscionable. The place was far too myopic to even be human

I have shockingly bad eyesight, so have visited more than my fair share of optometrists over the…read moreyears. (Hey, at the time of writing this review, I'm already the Duchess of Specsavers.) Pros for the Melbourne Central Specsavers: It's conveniently located in the CBD and it's open 7 days a week. Which was a life-saver when I had to do an emergency drop in on a late Sunday arvo when my contact tore in my eye. And although it's busy, I've never had to wait very long to speak to an optometrist. For my initial visit, I saw optometrist Karina Stephens. She showed care about my optical health and I was happy with the eye exam she provided. However, there was miscommunication about what I was looking for in a new brand of contacts and the trial lenses that were actually ordered. Which brings me to the cons: it's a busy location so it also feels a bit rushed and stressed (not a great feeling when visiting a doctor.) There has also been a different optometrist in the store each time I've come back, which means there's been no continuity with the doctors (the downside of being open 7 days a week.) So far I've been fine returning to this Specsavers for follow-up visits. But recommend going in armed with a specific list of questions and needs, otherwise it seems easy for the staff to overlook something in the shuffle.

Wonderful range of frames, friendly and professional service. Sandra is a most thorough…read moreoptometrist, who makes an effort to get to know her clients. The same goes for Michelle and Adam, who over the years, have fitted me with the most flattering frames.

From the owner: We are one of Australia's most unique eyewear stores, specialising in high quality and limited…read moreedition eyewear. Our independently owned practice provides high levels of service and expertise when looking after your vision and selecting your eyewear.

Hooray, a place where I can buy glasses that don't make me look like an I.T consultant, or dowdy…read morelibrarian. Funnily enough I was brought to Funky Spex by my mother - a woman whose tastes are dubious at the best of times. At least she got this right. Funky Spex has great glasses. They've got super-modern-intellectual-architect style frames, and secretary in Mad Men vintage frames. They also have some plain and simple frames too if that's what your into. They also have optometrists who can give you an eye examination, and a fleet of helpful sales assistants who will happily spend hours with you browsing the collection and giving advise about which frames suit you best. They aren't cheap, but the quality is there and the frames really are unique. I always receive compliments about my frames (check out my profile picture if you want to see them). They also have a section attached to the main store that sells discounted stock, where you can try and pick up some bargain frames. Friendly service and unique frames make Funky Spex a winner.

The photograph on my library card has been decreed the 'geekiest photo ever' by my kindly friends…read more The reason? I was wearing my spectacles. They may be Marc Jacobs but they were chosen in haste. A spectacle faux pas that could easily have been avoided had I known about Funky Spex on Johnston Street. A boutique specialising in unusual spectacles and sunglasses by cult brands such as Oliver Goldsmith and Thierry Lasry, Funky Spex has its very own idiosyncratic optical style along with sales assistants that look like they'd be equally at home as stylists on some esoteric lifestyle magazine. The selection really is extraordinary with an emphasis on brightly coloured, retro spectacles and the kind of sunglasses that are almost too beautiful to wear. If you have a thing for high-end eyewear and don't mind spending a few bob procuring probably the most beautiful pair of specs you'll ever set eyes on, you should visit Funky Spex.