Persol Sunglasses Review | List Of Sunglasses And Their Available Size In Millimetres.

Last Updated on January 21, 2021 by

Persol was launched in 1962 and is appreciated worldwide up till now because of its high quality. Well, I would suggest that $260 for the 649 styles is undoubtedly worth it. You could wear these formally, casually, informally or in any event due to its very classic design. The cost per eyewear is reasonably terrific. 

The Persol Model

In 1957, Persol composed the model 649. It was developed for the tram drivers in Milan. The idea was meant for the large frames, to protect them from dust and light. Hindsight, model 64 distinctly marked the actual beginning of Persol as a sunglass brand of fashion even though at the time, they did not see themselves as what they have achieved by now. 

Steve McQueen In The Thomas Crown Affair

Later in the 60s, model 714 was launched in the market with novelty within the sense that it can fold. Except for some minor changes, it is the model 649 that could be folded. In 1962, Persol sunglasses were launched in the US.

In 1968, Steve McQueen magnificently wore them in one of his most famous movies “Thomas Crown Affair”. The model consists of caramel brown acetate with the light blue colour lenses. This model’s appearance put Persol on the map, so the 741 styles became compatible with the brand. It is the reason why today we are appraising and discussing that specific model and not any of the others that they are offering today.

Steve McQueen wore these sunglasses so often that people were always talking about how obsessed he is with them. He did not just wear them in the movie, but he was seen multiple times wearing those unique sunglasses in his spare time. Eventually, these Persol sunglasses became the paradigmatic “Steve McQueen look” especially whenever paired up with a “Baracuta G9 Harrington jacket.”

Persol was obtained in 1995 by Luxottica of real, known as the world’s largest eyewear brand. It usually seems like almost every brand has their sunglasses launched by Luxottica, because of its revenue per year which is over 9 billion dollars per year. However, Persol sunglasses are still produced in Italy, and their iconic symbol is a silver arrow that you could notice at the beginning of the temple.

What Makes Persol Sunglasses Famous?

Substantially, it comes down to star power. Apart from Steve McQueen in the 60s and 70s, Leo Dicaprio, Jay-Z, Ryan Gosling, and Pierce Brosnan were attracted to the Persol sunglasses.

In general, they are loved and worn by the public no matter how young or old they are. It is unquestionably one of those items that are still in trend and had not gone out of style in the last 50 to 60 years. It doesn’t matter whether you prefer the classic 649 styles or the foldable 714; these designs did not change much since the 1960s. Also, it would always be a popular sunglass choice for everyone.

Steve McQueen Wearing Persol Sunglasses With A Navy Harrington Jacket

The secret behind this kind of obsession or affection is that these sunglasses most likely flatter men of all ages. If you are a younger person, it will make you look a bit more mature. On the other side, it would make you look more relaxed, vintage styled, and seasoned if you are an older person. However, they are never so outdated, which means that these sunglasses are meant to add some spice to your look.

In my opinion, another secret for their success could be the way they bridge the gap or the difference between casual and formal amazingly. Most of their sunglasses are seen either being casual or formal.

Persol sunglasses, the 649, 714, and the Steve McQueen are lying right in the middle of that scale. Because of this reason, these sunglasses are worn with a three-piece suit, precisely like Steve McQueen wore in “The Thomas Crown Affair.”

So you see you could wear it casually at any pool party or you can go for it with your Harrington jacket. By the end of the day, you would have observed how this style of Persol sunglasses has proven itself and became one of the most adjustable frames out there. 

Why Is Persol So Iconic?

Persol is known for being the most iconic brand because it introduced the system of Meflecto. It was eventually started in 1917 by Giuseppe Ratti as a luxuriant sunglass brand built to focus on aviators and athletes. Around the 1930s, Persol was responsible for a spring forward in The World of Sunglasses by introducing the Meflecto System.

It is a very flexible metal piece inside the temple built in a way, so it gets adjusted. It is adaptable to change quickly according to your head shape so you don’t have to face any problem around pressure points that might cause any discomfort. I could say this undoubtedly that no other major brand today still uses that system. 

Persol 649, 714, And Steve McQueen Models

As we know, all these models are manufactured in Turin, Italy within acetate, which is way too expensive to handle. It is because of its procedure which requires it to be cut and hand polished. It means that there is so much waste of the products that are needed in the process. By the same time, you would not have noticed the closure of injection-moulded sunglasses which you usually see in the market these days.

Here Is The List Of Sunglasses And Their Available Size In Millimetres.

Sunglass Frame Shape	Small	Medium	Large
Aviator	45 – 55	56 – 61	62+
Wayfarer	45 – 49	50 – 53	54+
Clubmasters	45 – 49	50 – 53	54+
Butterfly	45 – 49	50 – 53	54+
Cat-eye	45 – 50	51 – 56	56+
Oval	45 – 53	54 – 59	60+
Oversized	45 – 53	53 – 58	59+
Rectangle	45 – 55	56 – 61	62+
Regular	45 – 55	56 – 60	60+
Round	40 – 48	49 – 54	55+
Shield	40 – 58	58 – 65	65+
Sports	One-size	One-size	One-size
Square	45 – 52	53 – 58	59+
Swimming	One-size	One-size	One-size

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