Constant travel, meetings, presentations, and after-work events - all these activities require our utmost focus and attention as well as style choices that make our hectic schedules as stress-free as possible.
For unbeatable convenience, I have always been a big fan of the folding frames, which have a historic place in eyewear, and deserve a write up all of their own! Some of the earliest examples of folding designs date from the 1800s.
These developed out of the so-called lorgnette designs, (originally a handheld correction device) which themselves were invented in the late 1700s and usually featured a fold-out ‘decorative’ handle which also acted as a protective case.
Things have changed since those days: but the emphasis on practicality and functionality is as important as ever.
Today, the best of the ‘folding designs’ are those which have an incredible heritage, an innovative folding mechanism or an astute focus on convenience and compact design to suit every need, when we’re on the go.
Best Compact Folding Reading Glasses
Persol: all-time “folding” classics
The Italian-made Persol “folding classic” (model 0714) is the crème de la crème of pocketable eyewear designs. It found its way onto the silver screen on the face of Steve McQueen in The Thomas Crown Affair in its sunglass version and continues to be an icon of its genre, with smart, classic styling and finely crafted details, right down to the flash of the silver Supreme Arrow. The frame has a carefully-crafted folding closure system at the nose bridge and halfway along the temples, ensuring a small, compact size when put away.
With the success of the 0714 design, the Persol collection now includes other styles with the same folding mechanism, chic acetate materials, and focus on luxury details. Model 9714 offers a rounded eye shape with the same technical finesse and meticulous attention to detail typical of the Italian brand.
4 great folding readers for business trips and beyond:
Ray-Ban 4105
Ray-Ban’s got something for everyone and their contribution when it comes to “pocket-sized” eyewear comes in the form of the cool 4105 – it is a chunky statement design but as it folds in the middle and packs away it offers the perfect mix of convenience and style.
Bat Wings
The slim, light Bat Wings Vigilance is hugely popular as a traveling companion and comes in a choice of five colors. Functionally engineered and perfectly stylish, the metal frame folds at the bridge and neatly stores away in a supple leather case. ReadingGlasses.com adds premium anti-reflective lenses for a relaxed, glare-free reading experience.
MicroVision
The MicroVision folding frames have a rectangular eye shape and they are packaged with not one but two cases: one made in leather with a loop for a belt and one in metal, with a smart yet sturdy finish. You’ll be hard pushed to find anything that packs up into quite such a compact little space.
Jeepers Panini II
The Jeepers Designer Collection is a good place to look for very slim, easy-to-carry designs. Like the lorgnettes of yesteryear, these frames literally become the case when not in use and have a comparable size to a ballpoint pen! Ingenuous, lightweight, and ideal for daily office use.
From designer collections to affordable styles, ReadingGlasses.com offers an immense selection of foldable reading glasses. Feel good about your purchase knowing that shipping and returns are free, every day. If you have any questions regarding picking your perfect pair of foldable readers, you can contact customer service via chat, email, or phone.
