I have been wearing vintage cateye glasses since 1991. My first pair came from the basement of the practice my opthamologist took over. They had been sitting in the original box since the early 60s. Pink with silver glitter. Hello Kitty love!
However, since I stumbled upon Fanny’s years ago my collection has grown! And, Karl’s has, too. We get so many compliments on our glasses that we started to request stacks of cards from Fanny’s on each visit to give to friends and strangers who ask. My favorites are vintage and comprise most of my collection. 40s, 50s, 60s. But, I’ve been branching out lately and now have frames all the way up to the 90s. I even one pair of reproductions, Sophia Loren-esque wraps in imitation bone. Meow!
The experience of shopping at Fanny’s is as fabulous as their merchandise. It’s a long, narrow, cozy storefront lined with glass cases and antique drawers. Each drawer is labeled with a description of its contents. “Blue Cat Eyes.” “Wrap Sunglasses.” You get the idea. You can also browse their private collection, cases that house a museum of amazing eyewear from then to now. Owners, Stan and Ken, even have their own line of custom frames, aptly named Spectaculars.
Even better, the prices are very reasonable. Chances are you’re currently paying a lot more elsewhere.
Look out for future posts featuring our personal collections of specs from Fanny’s and also one on their attached vintage clothing store, which is Fabulous, too! Plus, we’ll be supplying the deets on where to get your prescription filled on the cheap. So y’all come back now.
Meanwhile, go see for yourself! It’s fun, it’s friendly, it’s Fabulous Fanny’s @ 335 E 9th Street (Between 1st and 2nd Avenues). Open Noon to 8pm seven days a week.
