Availability: 5 in stock
The American Optical SARATOGA Sunglasses carry a legacy few frames can match. These are the cat-eye sunglasses President John F. Kennedy wore sailing off Cape Cod, photographed countless times during his presidency, and now reissued by America’s oldest eyewear company for a new generation.
American Optical has been manufacturing eyewear since 1833, pioneering innovations from the first aviator sunglasses for U.S. military pilots to the frames worn by the Apollo 11 crew. The SARATOGA, widely photographed on JFK in the early 1960s, became one of the era’s defining styles—a cat-eye frame that balanced vintage Hollywood glamour with understated presidential cool. After decades out of production, American Optical relaunched the SARATOGA in 2022, made in the USA from premium global components.
The frame you see here features a rich acetate construction with a translucent red demi finish that deepens from lighter tones at the temples to darker tortoise hues at the bridge. The cat-eye shape is subtle—not the exaggerated upsweep of 1950s starlet frames, but a refined lift at the outer edges that flatters a wide range of face shapes. American Optical’s signature arrow detailing appears at the temple tips, a nod to the brand’s heritage. Durable seven-barrel hinges ensure smooth operation and long-term reliability.
The SARATOGA comes equipped with American Optical’s True-Color or Cosmetan lens options. These lightweight nylon lenses feature backside anti-reflective coatings to reduce glare and an oleophobic treatment that resists smudges and fingerprints. The Cosmetan Brown lenses in this variant offer warm, high-contrast vision ideal for variable light conditions, while maintaining accurate color perception. All lenses provide 100% UV protection.
Available in two sizes—52mm and 54mm eye width—the SARATOGA fits medium to average faces comfortably. The 19mm bridge and 145mm temples have been updated from the original 1960s design with improved ergonomics for all-day wear. These frames are prescription-ready, accepting single-vision, progressive, and polarized prescription lenses through our in-house optical lab.
The unisex design works equally well for men and women. One reviewer noted the frames initially seemed “perhaps a little too feminine,” but after wearing them found “they feel very sturdy and secure on my face.” The full-rim acetate construction provides durability without excessive weight, and the classic tortoise and demi colorways ensure versatility across casual and dressed-up looks.
If you’re drawn to vintage American style with authentic provenance, the SARATOGA delivers. It’s not a replica or homage—it’s the real thing, made by the same company that supplied JFK, updated for modern comfort and optical performance.
