Johnny Depp glasses: the Tart Arnel, the Julius Tart AR and the TVR®504

A 1950s American panto in acetate. These are Johnny Depp's glasses.

The frame Johnny Depp returns to most often is the Tart Optical Arnel, the panto born in New York in the 1950s: he wears it as an optical frame with clear lenses and as a sunglass with tinted ones. In 2014, at the Transcendence press conference in Beverly Hills, he wore an Arnel in clear acetate. Today the shape lives on in two models: the Julius Tart Optical AR, the reissue by the brand that revived Tart Optical, and True Vintage Revival's TVR®504. Both are in the OCCHIO! selection.

Why it works

A panto is a circle slightly squared at the top: it softens strong features without the stiffness of a perfect round. In a small size it sits on the face without covering it, and the keyhole bridge rests it low on the nose. With clear lenses it is an optical frame that gets noticed; with a light tint it becomes his signature. That is why it has lasted seventy years without looking like a trend.

How to wear it without dressing up as him

• Choose between the two versions. The AR is closest to the original drawing; the TVR®504 has 6 mm acetate and a bolder character.
• Acetate colour sets the tone. Tortoiseshell for the look closest to his, black or crystal for a sharper take.
• A tinted lens fits any frame. In the boutique we fit tinted lenses, plain or prescription, in the colour and depth you want.
• No imitation. The look works when it looks like yours: same shape, your choice.

Which lens colour

Blue cools the light, pink warms the complexion, amber and yellow raise contrast: we explain how in our guide to yellow lenses. Light grey is the neutral choice, for a tinted lens without the colour.

Depth matters too. Up to about 20% the eyes stay visible and the glasses work indoors; beyond that they become sunglasses. For driving in the evening or at night you need a practically clear lens. If you want a lens that changes on its own, read how photochromic lenses work.