Disclosure: Tart Optical was kind enough to provide these frames for the purposes of this review.
In the ever-evolving world of menswear, one thing remains constant—eyewear holds an undisputed position as the quintessential accessory. And when it comes to finding a brand that seamlessly blends timeless design with exceptional craftsmanship, Tart Optical effortlessly rises to the occasion. (Indeed, we have covered their frames in the past, where we also discussed a bit about the history of the brand. If you have not yet seen that article, I highly recommend you check it out prior to this one.)
The great new today is that Tart Optical is truly (albeit slowly) making their long awaited comeback. They have re-designed their website (it’s worlds better, though, admittedly still could be improved), and, much more crucially, are releasing new frames!
Now, with a brand like Tart when we say “new” we don’t mean new designs, per se. What we mean, and, indeed, what we very strongly desire, is the re-release of the classics that have been so hard to find and perennially out of stock. And that is exactly what Tart is here delivering, starting with their FDR frames. Much like the legendary Arnel, the FDR is a classic design that Tart released decades ago, and has now made a comeback with some slight tweaks to bring them into the modern age. Rest assured, the shape and design is essentially identical, but the quality has been upgraded to a truly top-notch production level.
The moment you hold these frames you can tell they are a cut above. To compare these to Moscot (they have their Vilda frame which is an imitation of this one) would be unfair to Tart. Everything about these frames oozes quality and heft, which you feel as you wear them. The acetate is thick and nicely weighty, the hinges are sturdy, and actually riveted through the arms / front (unlike lesser brands who use fake rivets purely for show). These frames are made to last a lifetime. And that is good, since this is the sort of frame that will never go out of style. It’s been cool for decades, and will be cool for decades to come.
These frames come in a few colors, though I especially like the darker brown and the black. The black is classic, of course, but the depth of the darker brown highlights the high quality acetate used by Tart. The closer you get, the richer it looks. This was the pair that I chose to keep, and fitted them with prescription sunglass lenses. Did I mention these work almost even better as sunglasses as they do as regular prescription eyeglasses?
These frames also come in a 46 and 48 size. For my head size the 48 was the way to go, though the difference between the two is not huge. The 46 measures 141mm wide front edge to front edge, while the 48 measures 144mm. The best way to know your size is to measure a pair you currently own that fits you well.
Tart Optical's FDR collection is a testament to the brand's unwavering commitment to quality, style, and timeless design. The frames effortlessly marry the sophistication of the past with the demands of the present, resulting in eyewear that is as relevant today as it was when they were first released. The attention to detail, exquisite craftsmanship, and thoughtful color choices all contribute to creating frames that demand respect.
It’s wonderful to see Tart Optical producing new runs of frames, and I have been promised that much more will be coming later this year. I have seen some early prototypes and excitement is warranted. Stay tuned, we’ll be covering it all here on TPL. In the meantime, pick up a pair of the FDRs for this summer at 10% off using the discount code THEPEAKLAPEL2023.