18 Brands Like Illesteva for Chic & Unique Eyewear

Discover eyewear brands like Illesteva offering chic, unique frames that blend New York cool with Parisian elegance. Find your next statement pair today.
Written by: 
Ash Read
Last updated: 

If you're a fan of chic, statement eyewear, chances are you already have a pair (or two) of Illesteva sunglasses on your wishlist. The brand is a master at blending New York cool with Parisian chic, creating unique frames that feel both vintage and modern at the same time. Their bold shapes and high-quality craftsmanship make them a go-to for anyone looking to make their accessories count.

But when you've already explored every color of the Leonard II or want to expand your collection with a similar vibe, where do you turn? For those who love Illesteva's unique point of view, here are 18 other eyewear brands that deliver on style, quality, and personality.

1. Celine Eyewear

For the sophisticated minimalist, Celine delivers sleek, high-end eyewear with unmistakable elegance. Characterized by clean lines and geometric shapes, Celine frames are all about understated luxury. While Illesteva offers more playful, artistic flair, Celine provides a more polished and modern alternative, perfect for creating a sharp, refined look. Expect premium materials and timeless designs that feel effortlessly chic.

Shop now at celine.com

2. Persol

Loved for its Italian heritage and handcrafted quality, Persol is a master of timeless eyewear. Known for iconic details like the patented Meflecto system for flexible stems and the signature silver Supreme Arrow, the brand’s frames have a classic, vintage-inspired charm. If you appreciate Illesteva’s craftsmanship but prefer a less trend-driven and more enduring style, Persol offers refined silhouettes that never go out of fashion.

Shop now at persol.com

3. Le Specs

If you love making a bold statement without the investment, Le Specs is your brand. Offering high-impact, influencer-approved styles at an incredible price point, Le Specs is incredibly trendy and fun. You’ll find daring oversized shapes, futuristic visors, and slim cat-eyes in their collection. They share Illesteva's love for standout designs but operate at a much more accessible price, making them perfect for experimenting with new trends.

Shop now at lespecs.com

4. Ray-Ban

An undeniable icon in the eyewear world, Ray-Ban offers styles that have defined coolness for decades. Home to the legendary Wayfarer and Aviator, Ray-Ban focuses on universally flattering, classic shapes that work for everyone. While Illesteva leans into more niche, avant-garde designs, Ray-Ban is the go-to for dependable, timeless styles that are always in vogue.

Shop now at ray-ban.com

5. Oliver Peoples

Defined by its understated elegance and meticulous craftsmanship, Oliver Peoples is the brand for quiet luxury. Their eyewear features vintage-inspired silhouettes and subtle detailing, avoiding prominent logos in favor of letting the design speak for itself. If Illesteva's bold colors and shapes are a bit too loud for you, Oliver Peoples offers a more subdued, intellectual take on high-end frames.

Shop now at oliverpeoples.com

6. Retrosuperfuture

As the name suggests, this Italian brand is all about edgy, forward-thinking eyewear. Known for its oversized, geometric, and often futuristic frames, Retrosuperfuture makes pieces designed to grab attention. Both they and Illesteva appeal to the trendsetter, but Retrosuperfuture pushes the boundaries even further with more experimental and architectural shapes, perfect for a true fashion daredevil.

Shop now at retrosuperfuture.com

7. Karen Walker

For those who love eyewear with a sense of humor, Karen Walker delivers bold, quirky, and theatrical styles. The brand is known for whimsical details, unexpected shapes, and fun prints that infuse personality into every outfit. While Illesteva blends artiness with sleekness, Karen Walker fully embraces the playful side of fashion, making them the perfect choice when you want your sunglasses to be the main event.

Shop now at karenwalker.com

8. Salt. Optics

Inspired by nature and focused on exceptional fit, Salt. Optics creates premium, handcrafted eyewear with a minimalist aesthetic. Their designs feel elegant and effortless, favoring timeless silhouettes and superior materials that are built to last. If you appreciate Illesteva's commitment to quality but are looking for something more understated and classic, Salt. offers beautifully crafted frames with a subtle, chic vibe.

Shop now at saltoptics.com

9. Garrett Leight

Capturing the cool, laid-back yet polished vibe of Southern California, Garrett Leight creates eyewear that's both stylish and easygoing. He focuses on classic shapes updated with modern details and premium materials. While Illesteva has more of a cool, city edge, Garrett Leight's designs are imbued with a relaxed, coastal sensibility, making them perfect for everyday wear from the beach to the office.

Shop now at garrettleight.com

10. Moscot

With over a century of history in New York City, Moscot is a true heritage brand known for its iconic, vintage-inspired frames. Specializing in durable, timeless designs like classic round and rectangular opticals, Moscot embodies classic cool. Their eyewear has a more scholarly, classic feel compared to Illesteva's fashion-forward aesthetic, making them ideal for someone who values enduring design and brand legacy.

Shop now at moscot.com

11. Thom Browne Eyewear

Bringing his signature tailored aesthetic to eyewear, Thom Browne offers frames that are structured, sophisticated, and instantly recognizable. Expect bold, geometric shapes with polished finishes and the designer's iconic red, white, and blue stripe detail. If you find Illesteva’s styles creative, Thom Browne refines that creativity with a more structured, high-fashion, and preppy twist.

Shop now at thombrowne.com

12. Kuboraum

Described as "masks" instead of eyewear, Kuboraum’s pieces are genuinely wearable art. Designed in Berlin and handcrafted in Italy, these frames are bold, avant-garde, and often sculptural. They take the artistic impulse you see in Illesteva to a much more conceptual and expressive level. If you want eyewear that feels like a powerful statement piece, Kuboraum is not for the faint of heart.

Shop now at kuboraum.com

13. Mykita

Handmade in Berlin, Mykita combines cutting-edge technology with minimalist design. Renowned for their ultra-lightweight stainless steel frames and patented screwless hinges, their eyewear is both incredibly stylish and unbelievably comfortable. Mykita shares Illesteva’s commitment to innovative design but channels it through a lens of tech-forward minimalism and precision engineering.

Shop now at mykita.com

14. Victoria Beckham Eyewear

Victoria Beckham’s brand is synonymous with polished, modern sophistication, and her eyewear line is no exception. Her frames are elegant and refined, featuring clean lines, subtle hardware, and luxurious materials. Compared to Illesteva’s bolder, art-inspired shapes, her collection offers a more understated and timeless take on luxury eyewear, perfect for elevating a professional wardrobe.

Shop now at victoriabeckham.com

15. Blake Kuwahara

Blake Kuwahara creates "frame-within-a-frame" designs, resulting in eyewear that feels architectural and completely original. Using a unique lamination process, each piece fuses two distinct silhouettes into one, creating a sculptural effect. This brand takes the experimental spirit of Illesteva and focuses it on structural innovation, making its glasses true collector's items for design aficionados.

Shop now at blakekuwahara.com

16. Gentle Monster

Known for its experimental, oversized silhouettes and high-concept retail stores, this South Korean brand has become a global phenomenon. Gentle Monster’s designs are futuristic, edgy, and always pushing the envelope. They share Illesteva's knack for creating buzz-worthy, statement-making eyewear, but lean heavily into an avant-garde and unapologetically bold aesthetic.

Shop now at gentlemonster.com

17. L.G.R.

Inspired by the founder's adventures in Africa and handcrafted in Italy, L.G.R. specializes in timeless, elegant sunglasses and opticals. The brand uses classic materials like cellulose acetate and mineral glass lenses to create durable, refined frames. L.G.R. offers a more subtle and classic alternative to Illesteva’s playful pieces, perfect for those seeking sophisticated, adventure-ready heritage style.

Shop now at lgrworld.com

18. Jacques Marie Mage

For those looking for the ultimate luxury in eyewear, Jacques Marie Mage creates limited-edition, collectible frames handcrafted in Japan. The designs are bold, cinematic, and inspired by historical figures, art movements, and cultural icons. Think of this brand as Illesteva's maximalist, art-collector cousin - it takes the statement-making concept to a level of unparalleled craftsmanship and exclusivity, with a price tag to match.

Shop now at jacquesmariemage.com

At Apart Style, we're obsessed with curating the best in fashion, beauty, and jewelry to help you discover new brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, style, and uniqueness. When you make a purchase through our links, Apart Style may earn a commission - which helps support our small team, and allows us to continue bringing you the best in online style brands.

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