I've needed glasses for years but have sort of been stubborn about caving. Over the last year my eyes have gotten much worse. This past weekend I was in Manhattan and decided to stop by the HQ to check out some frames to just get an idea of what's out there. I loved all the styles a lot and a girl working there said for 50 bucks I could get an eye exam at their Meatpacking location.

I went down there, got an eye exam and ordered my frames. All together it came to 140 bucks. The glasses should arrive this week. The "in store" experience was really cool. It was pretty crowded but the staff were enormously helpful and cool. I don't see how Warby Parker doesn't become an even bigger success. Right now their line of lenses may be a little too hip for some people (my mother wasnt the biggest fan) but if they expand the line I'm sure they can reach many, many more people.

Also, I live in the Hamptons. My mother, who has bought glasses many times at our local optometrist, said she has never spent less than 200 dollars (with her insurance) to get a fashionable pair of glasses. Given increasing healthcare costs, even with insurance, this idea seems pretty strong.

Who is Goliath in this case? I just got glasses this year so I honestly don't know. My glasses are all made by little Californian, German or Belgin companies that my optometrist stocked.

edit

Answering my own question, it appears Luxottica and Safilo make most of the glasses out there.