A Visit to Cubitts West Village

An eyewear brand making waves from across the pond.

Dec 07, 2024

I want to talk eyewear. Specifically, Cubitts—the British brand making glasses that are, quite literally in my case, a sight for sore eyes. They’ve been around since 2012, but I only came across them in the past year after their founder, Tom Broughton, was on Esquire’s Five Fits series. Seeing the frames on him and some of my friends, I noticed a refined attention to detail—a mix of visible craftsmanship and modern design. I kept passing by their outposts in London and Brighton last month, surprised at how well-designed and neighborhood-specific the shops were [think Aesop], so when I heard they’d opened a new spot in the West Village, I figured it was time to pay them a visit.

Spoiler alert: I left with a pair of Argyll Sunglasses in Sepia Haze, and yes, they’re every bit as good as I expected.

First Impressions: The Shop

Cubitts West Village is the kind of place where you walk in and immediately feel like a welcome audience. Set in a building once home to seminal playwright Lorraine Hansberry (the first black woman to have a play on Broadway), the store is both an homage to the traditional Bleecker Street storefront and a celebration of the Village’s theatrical quarter. ⁠The space is compact but feels airy, with the front room as the “on-stage” public display and a partitioned back area as the “backstage” where bespoke appointments are held. At the front, warm white walls, a velvet couch, sleek metallic fixtures, and just enough of that signature British charm remind you this isn’t your average eyewear shop. A curved wall provides an inviting display of frames that practically beg you to try them on (and you will be encouraged to).

My Choice: The Argyll Sunglasses

After a brief consultation with the staff, I was offered a handpicked selection of readymade frames to try on, and one in particular, the Argyll Sunglasses in Sepia Haze, caught my eye immediately. With their bold rectangular shape and a warm, almost golden tint, they’re a 1960s kind of frame—one that feels like reclining into a leather-bound Eames chair and just happens to make me look like a stunt double for a Bob Dylan biopic. As for the construction, the acetate has this beautiful depth to it that feels vintage without being too precious.

After a quick try-on and a little friendly nudge from the Cubitts staff (who, by the way, are excellent at offering honest opinions without pushing), I knew they were coming home with me. Along with the frame, they also provided an Edward Hopper printed dust cloth (made especially for NY with proceeds going to a local arts foundation) and a sturdy aluminum case.

Why Cubitts Stands Out

Cubitts is the opposite of trendy—it’s about good design at a great value. At around $200 for a pair (and FSA/HSA-eligible for corrective lenses), every frame is meticulously crafted, with an attention to detail you rarely see in eyewear at this price point. I’d compare them to a more streamlined, less ostentatious Jacques Marie Mage with a much more palatable price tag. Their ethos is rooted in sustainability, too, with repair services that encourage you to keep your frames for years. In a world of fast fashion and disposable luxuries, it’s a refreshing philosophy.

It’s also one rooted in the brand's foundation, named after three brothers who were engineers and architects. The youngest of them, Lewis Cubitt, used a rivet design in his buildings that Cubitts shrunk down for their riveted frames. The idea is that good design transcends mediums, is enduring and universal, and can be applied at various scales. It’s something they promulgate in print and online stories via their publication, The Spectacle.

How I’m Wearing Them

Back at home, my Argyll shades have been getting a lot of wear on morning walks and drinks at sunset. Without getting too woo-woo, I’ve found the sepia tones match my relaxed pace of life and have a soothing effect that makes me want to wear them all the more—even indoors sometimes. 😎