Paul Newman’s Favorite Sunglasses Are Finally Back

Of course, these shades look as cool now as they did in 1963.

Close-up of tortoiseshell-patterned sunglasses arm with dark lenses and silver hinge details.

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By Brad Lanphear

Published January 27, 2026

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Updated January 28, 2026

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Society has undoubtedly enshrined Paul Newman as someone who will always be cool.

As each new generation has discovered his films and well-documented personal life, it has provided an endless wellspring of style inspiration. Any chance to wear an exact replica of something the legendary actor wore — or the rare opportunity to own his personal effects — is jumped at.

Brown tortoiseshell acetate sunglasses with dark lenses and a slightly rounded square frame. — Olive Peoples reproduced a pair of frames worn by Newman in the 1960s.

Oliver Peoples offers a shot at the former with a collection of Paul Newman signature frames. The design is based on tortoiseshell aviators he wore in the 1960s.

Considering that Oliver Peoples was founded in 1987, the inspirational shades were obviously from another brand, but the look has been meticulously reproduced.

Man with short wavy hair and beard wearing dark aviator sunglasses, a suit jacket, white shirt, and tie. — Newman wearing tortoise shell aviator sunglasses in 1963.

The frames feature teardrop lenses with an above-average 57mm width, providing the classic oversized look popular in the 1960s. The solid bridge is flat across the top, with a slightly beveled edge running along the top of the frame, and features an arched center that provides room for the bridge of the nose.

Tortoiseshell acetate sunglasses with dark green lenses and a slight cat-eye shape on a reflective surface. — The bridge has a slight arch to fit comfortably over the bridge of the nose.

The 145mm temples are connected with solid metal hinges, accented with genuine pins showing through. Newman’s initials, PLN, are etched into the hinge edges and are exposed only when the frames are folded. A decorative signature sits alongside the brand name on the inner temple.

Newman’s own

Oliver People’s Paul Newman collection comes in four frame colors. Two tortoise shell options, the lighter Dark Amber Smoke and the darker Walnut Tortoise, and a solid black frame replicate sunglasses worn by the man himself.

Blue translucent acetate sunglasses with dark lenses and "Paul Newman" and "Oliver Peoples" engraved on the temple. — The Newman Blue frames are based on the actor’s famous blue eyes.

A new frame color was designed for this collection, inspired by Newman’s notoriously captivating blue eyes. Aptly named Newman Blue, it is a semi-transparent acetate in a deep royal blue.

The Newman Blue frames are paired with smoky gray lenses that obscure the eyes.

Another nod to the actor’s eye color is the Regal Blue Crystal lenses placed in the Dark Amber Smoke frames, which are the closest reproduction to Newman’s own sunglasses.

Availability and price

Oliver Peoples’ Paul Newman sunglasses are handmade in Japan, the new go-to source for top-shelf sunglasses — sorry, Italy. The collection supports Newman’s Own Foundation, which continues Paul Newman’s legacy and uses all the profits and royalties it receives to help kids in need and their communities.

The solid blue and black options cost $555 each, while both tortoise shell sunglasses cost $619 each. All four frames are also available with prescription lenses from Italian glassmaker Barberini for an additional charge.

Blue translucent acetate sunglasses with dark lenses and "Paul Newman Oliver Peoples" engraved on the temple.

Oliver Peoples Paul Newman Sun

$555 at Oliver Peoples

About the Author: Brad Lanphear is an associate editor at Gear Patrol covering watches and style. Before joining the publication, he previously wrote for Heddels and Men’s Health. Now, he’s on a never-ending quest to find the perfect pair of Japanese denim.

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