The Pick: Steve McQueen’s Persol Sunglasses

When it comes to looking good, it’s fair to say the Steve McQueen had a bit of a handle on the concept. Anointed as the ‘King of Cool’, McQueen was, in many ways, the personification of a gentleman. There was the roguish masculinity, the impeccable sense of style, the seductive tongue and the unflappable manner behind the wheel.

In the enduring legend of this most recognisable anti-hero, his penchant for a decent pair of shades is perhaps his most recognisable sartorial signature. Whilst aping the man isn’t as simple as cropping your hair, pulling on a three-piece suit and reaching for a pair of Persols, it’ll certainly go someway in the quest to rival this tallest pillar in the pantheon of cool.

Persol’s 714 sunglasses are the exact model McQueen rocked in The Thomas Crown Affair and thus remains one of the esteemed brand’s most exalted and iconic designs. Foldable for easy transportation and in a shape that’ll suit most face shapes, this tortoiseshell take is perfect for the summer’s brightest days and the spring’s most glaring mornings.

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