Sunglasses are an essential accessory for anyone who wants to protect their eyes and look stylish while doing it. With so many brands on the market, it can be tough deciding between luxury titans like Persol and Oliver Peoples.
Both companies make high-quality shades with iconic styles worn by celebrities and discerning eyewear aficionados. This comprehensive guide will compare Persol and Oliver Peoples sunglasses to help you determine which brand best suits your needs and preferences.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Aspects | Persol | Oliver Peoples |
| Origin | Italy | USA (frames made in Italy) |
| Most Iconic Styles | PO Foldable Arrow, Aviators | Vintage Wayfarers, Aviators |
| Frame Materials | Premium Italian Acetate | Premium Italian Acetate |
| Notable Features | Flexible Arrow Hinges | Vintage Keyhole Bridges, Filigree |
| Lens Technology | Carl Zeiss Polarized Lenses | Polarized, Gradient, Photochromic |
| Frame Variety | Classic Shapes | More Trendy Shapes |
| Frame Colors | Traditional Tones | Dynamic Colors/Patterns |
| Price Range | $$$ – $$$$ | $$$$ – $$$$$ |
| Ideal Customer | Understated Traditionalist | Fashion-Forward Vintage Lover |
Overview of Persol Sunglasses
Founded in 1917 in Turin, Italy, Persol has a long legacy of crafting stylish and durable eyewear.
The family-owned company takes immense pride in producing sunglasses with high-quality materials and meticulous attention to detail.
Persol frames are still made in Italy using proprietary techniques like the Meflecto and Supreme Arrow systems for flexible, lightweight temples.
Persol is best known for its iconic foldable sunglasses with arrow hinges and flexible spring arms. The Persol PO frame series features the signature arrow on each arm, allowing the glasses to fold up neatly into a compact size.
Persol lenses provide crystal clear vision and 100% UVA/UVB protection with polarization technology to cut glare. The brand offers classic sunglass shapes with a vintage-inspired aesthetic perfect for everyday wear.
Notable Persol sunglass collections include:
- PO Frames – The legendary foldable arrow sunglasses line with flexible spring hinges. Iconic style worn by Steve McQueen, Marcello Mastroianni and other stylish gents.
- Aviator – Persol’s take on the classic aviator style with the Supreme Arrow flexible hinge. Features a double or single bridge and teardrop shaped lenses.
- Steve McQueen – Vintage inspired frames with keyhole bridges, arrow temples and round or oval lenses. A tribute to McQueen’s signature shades.
- PO64 Series – Updated folding Persols with slim arrow temples and smaller round lenses. Features acetone keyhole nose bridge.
In addition to classic optical frames, Persol also makes sunglass styles designed for sports like cycling, golf and fishing. The brand frequently collaborates with Italian car maker Maserati to produce limited edition driving sunglasses.
Persol Sunglasses Pros:
- Timeless vintage-inspired Italian designs
- Innovative folding styles with flexible spring hinges
- High quality construction and materials
- Crystal clear polarized lens technology
- 100% UVA/UVB protection
- Made in Italy craftsmanship and attention to detail
- Durable frames built to last
- Celeb-favorite brand with iconic stylish looks
Persol Sunglasses Cons:
- More expensive than non-luxury brands
- Limited trendy/fashion-forward styles
- Not as many specialty lens options like photochromic or prizm
Also Read: Differences Between Persol And Tom Ford Sunglasses.
Overview of Oliver Peoples Sunglasses
Founded in 1987 in Los Angeles, Oliver Peoples set out to create unique, high-quality sunglasses inspired by vintage American culture and old Hollywood.
The brand is known for its classic retro styles with clean lines and understated details.
Each pair of Oliver Peoples sunglasses is handcrafted from custom acetate with premium lenses to provide optical clarity and UV protection.
Oliver Peoples frames feature vintage-inspired shapes like aviators, wayfarers and rounded cat eye styles for women. The designs are elegantly simple allowing the beautiful colors and patterns of the Italian acetate to take center stage.
Signature elements include vintage keyhole nose bridges, filigree engravings and customized core wire in the temples. Lenses come in solid tints or with gradient, polarized and photochromic options.
Some iconic Oliver Peoples sunglass collections include:
- Gregory Peck – Chunky rounded wayfarers inspired by Peck’s frames in To Kill a Mockingbird.
- Moscot Lemtosh – Made in collaboration with NYC heritage brand Moscot, these acetate glasses feature a retro square shape.
- Cary Grant – Classic P3 shape rounded aviator with bold acetate patterns and colors.
- Sheldrake – Thin metal aviators with double or single bridge and oval gradient lenses. Very understated style.
- Claire – Vintage cat eye sunnies designed specifically for women. Features intricate engraving and custom colors.
Oliver Peoples Sunglasses Pros:
- Vintage Americana inspired designs
- Handcrafted custom Italian acetate frames
- Luxe retro details like decorative engravings
- Range of specialty lens options available
- Celeb favorite – worn by Zooey Deschanel, Robert Downey Jr and others
- High end craftsmanship and construction
- Unique limited edition collaborations
Oliver Peoples Sunglasses Cons:
- More expensive than average sunglasses
- Traditional styles less trendy than other fashion brands
- Limited sports/active eyewear options
- Not all frames available with prescription lenses
Persol And Oliver Peoples: Key Differences
Now that we’ve provided an overview of both luxury sunglass brands, let’s directly compare some of the key differences between Persol and Oliver Peoples:
- Origin – Persol hails from Italy; Oliver Peoples is American-designed with Italian manufacturing
- Styles – Persol excels at foldable arrows; Oliver Peoples is know for vintage wayfarers and aviators
- Features – Persol has innovative flexible hinges; Oliver Peoples features more decorative details
- Fit – Persol offers better grip with arrow temples; Oliver Peoples has more sizing options
- Lenses – Persol specializes in polarization; Oliver Peoples has more lens finishes
- Price – Oliver Peoples starts ~$50+ more than Persol
While both brands produce similarly high-quality sunglasses with luxe design, Persol edges ahead when it comes to innovation while Oliver Peoples wins for style customization. Keep reading to see how they compare in terms of quality, cost and more.
Quality Comparison
One of the biggest considerations when buying designer sunglasses is whether the price tag truly matches the quality craftsmanship. Both Persol and Oliver Peoples pride themselves on making long-lasting eyewear using premium materials like acetate and crystal lenses. Here’s an overview of how they stack up:
Frame Materials
- Persol – Uses acetate sourced from Italian company Mazzucchelli. Flexible arrow hinges made from custom tempered steel.
- Oliver Peoples – Also uses premium Mazzucchelli acetate. Decorative core wire and engraved filigree temples.
Winner: Tie – both use top-notch Italian acetate for handcrafted frames.
Lenses
- Persol – Crystal tempered glass lenses made by Carl Zeiss Vision. Signature polarization treatment.
- Oliver Peoples – CR-39 lenses with polarization, gradient and photochromic options. Some plastic options.
Winner: Persol – their partnership with Zeiss gives better optical clarity.
Durability
- Persol – Arrow hinges specifically engineered for flexibility and durability. Withstands folding/unfolding.
- Oliver Peoples – Durable acetate frames. Lenses scratch-resistant thanks to hard coating.
Winner: Persol – the arrow hinges allow the glasses to take more wear and tear.
Protection
- Persol – Offers 100% UVA/UVB protection. Polarized lenses standard.
- Oliver Peoples – Also 100% UVA/UVB blocking. More lens treatments available.
Winner: Tie – both provide full UV protection and lens enhancements.
Overall, Persol just barely edges out Oliver Peoples when it comes to quality and durability thanks to the innovation behind the arrow hinges. However, both brands make eyewear designed to last years with proper care.
Also Read: Differences Between Persol And Maui Jim Sunglasses.
Style Comparison
Beyond build quality, when buying designer shades style is paramount. From trendy to timeless, let’s explore how Persol and Oliver Peoples sunglasses stack up in terms of fashion appeal:
Frame Shape Variety
- Persol – Best known for round, oval, square and aviator frames. Very classic shapes.
- Oliver Peoples – More variety including wayfarers, cat eyes and aviators. Contemporary options too.
Winner: Oliver Peoples offers more frame shape choices.
Color Options
- Persol – Traditional colors like black, brown, gray. Some limited tortoiseshell.
- Oliver Peoples – Dynamic range including bright gradients and patterns. Luxe look.
Winner: Oliver Peoples has more frame colorways.
Style Ethos
- Persol – Vintage mid-century charm. Retro but not flashy.
- Oliver Peoples – Classic frames with modern edge. Think old Hollywood updated.
Winner: Tie. Both go for throwback appeal but Oliver Peoples feels more contemporary.
Trend Potential
- Persol – Iconic but not particularly trendy. Very traditional styling.
- Oliver Peoples – More fashion-forward collaborations and limited editions.
Winner: Oliver Peoples styles have a better change of becoming eyewear trends.
If you want variety and more fashionable frames, Oliver Peoples is the way to go. But Persol still offers timelessly appealing sunglasses.
Pricing Differences
Let’s breakdown the cost of Persol vs. Oliver Peoples eyewear:
Persol Sunglasses
- Frames start around $279 – $329
- High-end or limited frames go up to $369+
Oliver Peoples Sunglasses
- Frames start around $320 – $350
- Luxury frames go up to $500+
Biggest Pricing Factors:
- Frame material – premium acetate is pricier
- Made in Italy – higher manufacturing costs
- Rare frames cost more – special editions, vintage reissues, collabs
- Lens enhancements add cost – polarization, gradients, etc.
Overall, Oliver Peoples shades cost $50+ more than Persols on average.
But keep in mind Persol’s folding styles with arrow hinges necessitate more advanced production.
Both brands offer frames costing up to $500 or beyond depending on materials used and limited availability.
Also Read: Comparison of Persol 649 And 714 Sunglasses.
FAQ – Persol vs Oliver Peoples Sunglasses
Yes, Oliver Peoples makes high quality sunglasses and optical frames. They use premium Italian acetate and modern manufacturing techniques for durability. The lenses offer full UV protection and enhancements like polarization. Overall construction and style is on par with Persol.
Persol is considered a high-end luxury brand, known for making premium sunglasses with advanced technology like the foldable arrow hinges. The Italian craftsmanship and use of materials like Carl Zeiss lenses make them some of the best designer sunglasses available.
Oliver Peoples is classified as a luxury or high end sunglass brand due to their premium acetate frames handcrafted in Italy along with advanced lens treatments. The designs are vintage inspired and the brand has a reputation for quality that justifies the higher prices.
Yes, Persol is known globally as a top manufacturer of high quality sunglasses and eyeglasses. They rank among the top brands for durability thanks to innovations like the Meflecto flexible arrow hinges. Persol frames are crafted from Italian acetate and use lenses by Zeiss for optical clarity. The brand has an excellent reputation after over 100 years in the eyewear industry.
So should you go for shades made by the vintage Italian stalwart Persol or Hollywood-inspired luxury newcomer Oliver Peoples? Here’s a quick recap on each brand’s strengths:
Go With Persol For:
Innovative folding arrow styles
Crystal clear Zeiss lenses
Athletic/sporty frame options
Slightly lower prices
Italian heritage
Go With Oliver Peoples For:
Wider range of unique frame shapes
Vintage Americana styling
More colors and patterns
Contemporary limited editions
More lens treatment options
While Oliver Peoples takes the lead for variety and fashion-forward looks, the superb craftsmanship of Persol just barely edges them out overall. However, choosing between two fantastic eyewear brands is a win-win situation for shoppers. Both Persol and Oliver Peoples make top-tier shades that will serve you in style for years to come.
The Verdict
When it comes to Persol vs Oliver Peoples, you really can’t go wrong. Both brands masterfully combine aesthetics and quality in their sunglass collections. If your budget allows, it makes sense to add one pair from each label to your eyewear wardrobe.
The foldable Persol arrows offer convenient portability and visual flair. Meanwhile, Oliver Peoples’ vintage classics provide more variety to complement different looks. Each brand has its own rich heritage and expertise.
The most important thing is choosing a frame shape and style that truly suits you. Be sure to shop in person and try different pairs to determine fit and comfort. While expensive, luxury sunglasses should be viewed as investments in both eye protection and timeless fashion.
With proper care, your Persols or Oliver Peoples will bring you joy for many years of stylish wear.
