DITA Frames in Chicago: Where to Find Them

DITA frames in Chicago are available at 6 of the 8 CustomEyes locations (Southport, LaSalle, Ogilvie, Roscoe Village, Broadway, and Logan Square). The brand is known for Japanese-finished titanium and acetate frames that can take up to 8 months and 350 production steps to build, which makes them a genuine investment piece rather than a quick off-the-shelf purchase.

If you’ve heard of DITA but aren’t sure what the fuss is about, this guide will walk you through what makes the brand different, which styles to look for, and exactly where in Chicago you can try on a pair.

What makes DITA different from other designer eyewear

DITA was founded in 1995 in Los Angeles by childhood friends Jeff Solorio and John Juniper. The brand’s origin story is worth knowing because it explains why the product feels different from most designer frames on the market. Solorio and Juniper weren’t interested in licensing a fashion name. They wanted to build an eyewear brand that competed with luxury watches and cars on craftsmanship alone, and they chose Japan as their manufacturing base because Japan’s eyewear artisans are considered the best in the world at titanium work.

The result is a product that almost no one else is making. As DITA describes its own process, creating a single frame can take as many as 350 separate production steps over 8 months. The acetate is hand-tumbled and polished. The titanium is worked in the same Sabae-region factories that produce some of the world’s finest watches. Branding is intentionally subtle, often hidden on the inside of the temple so the frame speaks for itself.

A few details that distinguish DITA frames when you have one in your hand:

• Hand-polished acetate with a depth of color and shine that injection-molded plastic cannot replicate
• Precision-milled titanium components that flex without fatigue
• Custom-engineered hinges built to hold tension across years of wear
• Zyl and 18-karat gold detailing on higher-end collections

These aren’t marketing buzzwords. Pick up a DITA frame and a budget frame side by side, and the weight, balance, and finish are immediately different.

DITA’s signature collections to know

DITA’s lineup is broader than most shoppers realize. A few collections stand out:

• Mach. The most recognizable DITA style, a bold aviator-inspired frame with a flat top bar and assertive proportions. Worn by musicians, athletes, and actors for nearly two decades.
• Statesman. The classic round-meets-square optical silhouette that fits a wide range of faces. The safe “first DITA” for shoppers new to the brand.
• Lancier. A titanium-heavy collection with architectural detailing on the temples. Lightweight, sharp, and very modern.
• Flight Series. Honors DITA’s aviator heritage with titanium work that reads closer to jewelry than eyewear.
• Grandmaster. DITA’s top tier. Limited runs, premium materials, and price points that reflect the labor involved.

Where to find DITA frames in Chicago

DITA is stocked at 6 of the 8 CustomEyes locations:

• CustomEyes Southport (3539 N Southport Ave) stocks a broad DITA selection alongside Barton Perreira, Ahlem, and Celine
• CustomEyes LaSalle (134 N. LaSalle St.) carries DITA alongside Dior and MOSCOT for downtown shoppers
• CustomEyes Ogilvie (500 W Madison) is inside the Ogilvie Transportation Center with a commuter-friendly DITA mix
• CustomEyes Roscoe Village (2110 W. Roscoe St.) pairs DITA with Lunor, Masunaga, and Lindberg
• CustomEyes Broadway (3123 N. Broadway) carries DITA alongside Chrome Hearts and Andy Wolf
• CustomEyes Logan Square (2650 N. Milwaukee) stocks DITA with Cutler and Gross and Mykita

DITA is not currently carried at CustomEyes River North or CustomEyes Evanston, so plan a trip to one of the six listed above. The full brand-by-location list is updated as inventory shifts.

What to expect when trying DITA frames in person

DITA isn’t a brand you shop well in a hurry. The construction detail (the weight of the acetate, the engineering of the hinge, the way the titanium nose pads sit) is part of what you’re paying for, and it’s hard to appreciate in a 30-second try-on.

A free frame styling appointment at the CustomEyes location closest to you is the most efficient way to shop. The optician will pull a few DITA shapes that suit your face, talk through the differences in the collection, and help you compare weight and balance across styles.

Expect to spend 20 to 30 minutes. DITA’s collections are deep enough that it’s easy to find two or three that look great, and often the deciding factor comes down to how a frame feels after five minutes of wearing it.

What to budget for DITA frames

DITA frames typically start around $500 for optical and climb well past $1,000 for the titanium-heavy and Grandmaster collections. Sunglasses follow a similar range. Lenses are priced separately based on your prescription and the coatings you choose.

Compared to licensed fashion eyewear at similar price points, DITA offers a real differentiator: you’re paying for materials and labor rather than a licensing fee. Over 5 to 7 years of daily wear, a DITA frame tends to hold up better than injection-molded alternatives, which is why many DITA customers become repeat buyers.

The full case for handmade eyewear over factory-pressed alternatives runs through exactly this kind of long-term math. For a broader market context, Chicago designer eyeglasses shoppers should know what’s available from the city’s other top brands.

Caring for your DITA frames

A few tips from the opticians who fit DITA daily:

• Always use two hands to take the frames off. Single-hand removal is the single biggest cause of loose hinges.
• Rinse the lenses under water before wiping them. Dust on a dry microfiber cloth is what causes micro-scratches.
• Bring the frames back in every 6 to 12 months for a free adjustment. Acetate relaxes over time, and the fit can drift.
• Store them in the DITA case, not loose in a bag. Acetate scratches more easily than you’d think.

Frequently asked questions about DITA frames in Chicago

Are DITA frames really made in Japan?

Yes. DITA has focused production in Japan since 1999, and since 2018 they’ve operated their own proprietary factory in Japan alongside long-standing partnerships with other leading Japanese eyewear artisans.

What’s the difference between DITA optical and DITA sunglasses?

The construction quality is identical, but the collections differ. Many DITA optical shapes have sunglass counterparts, and most optical frames can be fitted with prescription sun lenses if you prefer a single frame that does both.

Can I get DITA frames with my prescription?

Yes. Any DITA optical frame can be fitted with your prescription at the time of purchase. DITA sunglasses can also be ordered as prescription sunglasses or with photochromic lenses that adjust to daylight.

Is DITA covered by vision insurance?

Vision insurance typically covers a portion of the lens cost and may apply a frame allowance toward your total. Coverage varies by plan. The CustomEyes team will verify your vision insurance benefits before the purchase.

Which CustomEyes location has the deepest DITA selection?

Southport and Roscoe Village tend to carry the broadest DITA selections, but stock varies. Calling ahead is the most reliable way to confirm a specific style is in stock at a particular location.

Book your appointment at the CustomEyes nearest you to try DITA frames in person, or browse the latest designer eyewear online before you visit.