Few, if any, pieces of eyewear conjure up the same nostalgia as American Optical Saratogas. Made legendary by John F Kennedy, who would wear them while relaxing on his yacht, playing golf or conducting high-level affairs of state, the Saratoga epitomises the effortlessly stylish, relaxed-yet-refined Americana cool of the Camelot era. The brown tortoise-shell frames give the Saratoga an undeniable warmness and softness, which is tempered just enough by the sharp metal accents near the hinges. American Optical stopped producing the Saratoga for decades, with the result that an old pair in good condition could fetch thousands of dollars. But this utterly iconic pair is now back on the market (though still very hard to come by). Made in the USA and exclusive to Double Monk, the Saratoga is the ideal pair of sunglasses for the gentleman who wants to recapture the understated playboy charm of a fabled period of American history.
