Frames That Look Like the Persol 714

Persol patented the folding sunglass mechanism in 1938, and the 714 became its most enduring expression. Collapsing neatly at the bridge and again at each temple, the frame was designed for travelers and aviators who needed to stow their sunglasses in a breast pocket without risking scratched lenses. It stayed a quiet technical curiosity for decades until Steve McQueen wore a custom blue-lens 714 in the 1968 film The Thomas Crown Affair, at which point the frame became one of the most photographed pieces of eyewear in postwar cinema. A pair of McQueen's personal 714s later sold at auction for more than seventy thousand dollars. The frame has remained a touchstone of Italian design ever since, blending engineering cleverness with classic acetate silhouette. The only problem is the price. Persol sits firmly in the premium tier, and the 714's mechanical complexity keeps it there even among its siblings. This page gathers visually similar frames from the wider eyewear catalog, focusing on the 714's key visual cues, the soft keyhole bridge, tapered temples, and rounded square lens shape. Options from Warby Parker, EyeBuyDirect, Zenni, and Liingo are grouped into budget, mid, and premium tiers so shoppers can find a 714-inspired alternative without the heritage markup, even if the folding mechanism stays unique to Persol.