It’s the approachable nature of Steve McQueen’s style that has him rightfully dubbed as the King of Cool. His wardrobe of vintage-wash denim, white tees and classic knitwear can be found in just about any regular guy’s clothing rotation – or easily attained with a few Add-To-Basket clicks, at least – favouring classic 'fits to fleeting trends. And that goes for his most prolific pair of sunnies, too: the Persol 714s.
Not only worn in-between film takes, this foldable aviator pair also played starring roles in his movies. He first donned them in 1968 for The Thomas Crown Affair, where it’s hard to remember a scene that he’s not wearing them. He then took them to the set of Bullitt, and The Getaway thereafter, finally retiring them from the big screen, but still sporting them backstage while filming Le Mans; the 1971 fictional depiction of the French endurance race, of which is celebrating its centenary anniversary this year.
It seems natural then that the Italian eyewear aficionados would want imbue the 100th year of racing with some McQueen magic. During this year’s 24 Hours Le Mans race – which rather confusingly, takes place over five days – Persol will present some of the world’s most iconic motor culture films in a dedicated open-air cinema, as well as a McQueen-designed booth in the main race village. Here, race goers can relive his intrepid adventures and snap up an updated colour way of the 714s in ivory and gold. The most appropriate specs to wear track-side.
Thankfully, you can nab a pair from their website if you’re not planning on attending, as well as the traditional tortoiseshell design that won the actor over in the first place. See it as a bit of Le Mans for le wardrobe.
The Steve McQueen 714s are available from the Persol website.
