Oliver Peoples Eyeglasses

THE ASKMEN TAKE

Oliver Peoples is an eyewear line shrouded in a healthy sense of mystery. The story begins in 1986, when optician brothers Dennis and Larry Leight purchased an estate collection of vintage glasses. A curious receipt, signed Oliver Peoples, accompanied the lot of mint-condition, unworn frames, and as a nod to their supposed source, the two opened an optical boutique by the same name. The mysterious moniker for their first Sunset Boulevard retail outlet was perhaps fitting for eyeglasses that were respectful of the past, while the rest of the world was focused on the futuristic angles of overworked '80s designs. The brand achieved success relatively quickly with features in major fashion magazines and the opening of a second flagship gallery in Tokyo by 1989. While much of the recent focus for the label has been on expanding the sunglasses business (Mosley Tribes, Paul Smith and a new venture with Zooey Deschanel all lay claim to Peoples as their parent), the retro styling of Oliver Peoples' eyeglasses will still get you the same look of approval they did 20 years ago.

UNIQUENESS

What makes Oliver Peoples even more of an anomaly today is its commitment to being understated. In a world where so much eyewear looks as though it was tricked out with an overly zealous glue gun, Oliver Peoples sticks to relevant basics that pay homage to years past. The half-rim Advocate frame is a sleek update to the original made popular in the 1930s and 1940s, and the Andy Warhol-inspired Sheldrake feels like the 1950s. However, in addition to the stark and potentially harsh black, the acetate Sheldrake with traditional silver plaques at the temples also comes in clear crystal, rosy rococo and gold. The Riley, Boxley and Cady follow a similar design with a slightly thinner, less imposing use of plastic. And for those who really want to make a statement, the Tycoon model offers a thick, bold plastic in black or tortoise with retro triple-pin detailing. The Grayson and Alter-Ego styles round out the collection with a modern take on a Clark Kent look.

In reality, any one of the bunch should be enough of a disguise to channel your inner superhero. 

DURABILITY

Oliver Peoples' designs are the foundation upon which eyewear was built. The tendency toward or rather the exclusive obsession with plastic frames is distinguished without being dated. You can get your hands on a pair for under $200, and thankfully there is an attention to quality that goes beyond the price. The frames are made in Japan, which has relatively recently stepped up as a challenge to Italy on the eyeglasses scene, and come with their own embossed hard case and microfiber cloth for easy cleaning.