Silver Lining Opticians occupies a quiet storefront across from community basketball courts in New York’s SoHo neighborhood. The luxury boutique sells high-end eyewear from Japan and Italy, along with an in-house line of tasteful frames made in China. For over a decade, it’s been the go-to shop for New Yorkers seeking out tasteful and unique eyewear. Along with its selection of new merchandise, the store stocks a range of hard-to-find vintage frames.
Shop owner Jordan Silver has an affinity for vintage Persols, which he first discovered when he moved to New York two decades ago. “It was the first time I had heard of a sunglass brand that was a luxury brand that wasn’t a license like Louis Vuitton or Chanel, but that wasn’t a sports brand like Oakley or Ray-Ban,” Silver said. “It was evocative of the Jet-Set Era of early airplane travel and the branding was so beautiful and functional with the Meflecto flexibility. So, I instantly fell in love with the brand.”
As Silver explored the brand’s history, he learned about the different iconic frames. There were thick acetate frames from the ’60s worn by stars like Gregory Peck and Marcello Mastroianni, there was an acetate framed aviator made famous by Steve McQueen, there was a ’90s rectangular style with thick sides worn by actors like Harvey Keitel. “I thought it was just great because no matter the frame, it always had the same little arrow,” Silver said.
Persol’s attention to detail and high quality stem from the brand’s roots serving opticians. While the brand still offers excellent frames, they’re not quite the symbol they once were. “I think they still are one of the crown jewels of Luxottica’s portfolio, but the fact that they’re available at every kiosk and every mall doesn’t really do much for their exclusivity,” Silver said.
For those looking for something a little less ubiquitous, Silver offers a number of vintage Persols for sale. Frames are from the ’60s to the ’80s and prices range from $550 to $750 for optical and $650 to $995 for most sunglasses, though popular Steve McQueen and Nicholson styles start at around $1,850. We asked him to share a few of his favorites.