How Oakley Frogskins Become Popular?

How Oakley Frogskins Become Popular?

It's 1985. In pop culture, it was a time like no other. Ronald Reagan is in the White House, Terminator is at the top of the box office and was in certified gold, and shoulder pads are all the rage. Oakley took advantage of this cultural moment to introduce the Oakley Frogskins, their first-ever lifestyle sunglasses. As Oakley has continued to develop new variants of the iconic frame, these initial 1980s models are now known as Generation 1 Frogskins. They were an instant smash for Oakley, with hundreds of colors and an original price tag of roughly $40! People immediately compared the sunglasses to the iconic Ray-ban Wayfarers, which have been around since 1956. And the dispute over eyewear has lasted for decades!

The Oakley Frogskins are one of the most popular Oakley sunglasses, and for a good reason! Find out why this frame has become one of the most popular Oakley sunglasses, as well as everything you need to know before purchasing a pair! 

 

How Oakley Frogskins Got Their Name?

Frogskins were rushed due to a need to get a "regular" model out the door, according to Jim Jannard in 2013. When it came time to name them, his first thought was making this pair "for the frogskins" (slang for dollars). He gave them names so he'd remember to do exciting things in the future.
Below is the complete story from Jim Jannard's Q&A.
I traveled to Japan, met with a manufacturer, and created the Frogskins in days. I knew it would sell; I didn't think it was an effort worthy of our praise. It seemed a little like I'd sold out, and I was a little humiliated as I flew home. I wondered whether I wasn't only doing it for the frogskins (the bucks, greenbacks, dead presidents). I made three decisions at that time.

  • Sell them and rename them Frogskins to serve as a constant reminder to undertake only courageous and fascinating things in the future.
  • Begin an intense program to produce the industry's top optics and incorporate more inventions and art into the next-generation items.
  • Construct a factory and manufacture our eyewear on-site.

Why Frogkins Became a Public Success?

Frogskins were a hit with the public following their initial introduction, and Oakley later issued a second generation of Frogskins in 1990.

The Frogskins were eventually phased out in 1997. This was a moment of peak Oakley innovation, with models like the M Frame, Mars, and X-Metals gaining popularity, so it's understandable that they wanted to move away from Frogskins.

When Does Frogskins Was Rerelease And Purchased By Luxottica?

The Frogskins Oakley was re-released in limited quantities in June 2007, shortly after Oakley resurrected Luxottica purchased it. The original tooling from the 1980s was also included in this re-release.

Everyone now has the opportunity to own a piece of history. While some attribute the re-release to Luxottica, new Frogskins were undoubtedly in the works before the acquisition.

Today, Oakley continues to improve the Frogskins by offering new colorways and limited/collector editions. Continue reading to learn everything there is to know about Frogskins, including their design, frame size, and lens selections.

What is Oakley Frogskins Sunglasses?

The Frogskins look a lot like the original one, which were released in 1985. Sculpted hinges and a raised Oakley logo on the temple, on the other hand, are included. The entire frame is comprised of Oakley's proprietary O Matter nylon-based material. It's both light and tough, so it'll take care of all of your daily needs. 

Frame and Design

Oakley Frogskins polarized are the epitome of a lifestyle Oakley, starting with the frame. It's easy to draw comparisons to the popular Ray-Ban Wayfarers because of the casual rounded lens.

Frogskins, on the other hand, definitely set themselves distinct through Oakley ingenuity.

They give all-day comfort because of the flexible and lightweight O Matter frame construction. And, thanks to their O-Matter frame, they're simple to clean and wipe down if they get dirty or sweaty. So, on Frogskins, what won't you find?

Unobtanium. That's right, none of the popular anti-slip rubber material featured on most Oakley sports sunglasses makes an appearance. But isn't that also reasonable? In your Frogskins, you are not supposed to run marathons. We've had no qualms with donning our Frogskins for a round of golf on occasion.

Size and Dimensions

The Oakley Frogskins is a medium-sized frame with an XS option for those with smaller faces.The dimensions (in millimeters) are listed below, then scroll down to see a thorough comparison of all Frogskins models!

  • Frame width: 137mm
  • Frame Length: 139mm
  • Lens Height: 44mm
  • Lens width: 54.7mm
  • Base Lens Geometry: 4

Lenses

The circular lenses from Frogskins aren't just for show. This frame has about every Oakley lens available, including Standard, Polarized, Prizm lenses, and Prizm Polarized.

Additionally, all their lenses comprise impact-resistant Plutonite lens material and utilize High Definition Optics (HDO) technology.

We've already discussed why we appreciate Oakley Prizm technology so we won't go over it again. Whether you want a casual style with Prizm Black lenses or a splash of color with Prizm Sapphire lenses, these lenses mix fashion and innovation by improving color and contrast while reducing glare.

Frogskins are also available through Oakley's Custom Program (OCP), which allows you to pick from tens of thousands of frame and lens color combinations!

Continue reading to find out what we think about Oakley Frogskin Asian Fit and whether they're worth your money!

Are Oakley Frogskins Worth It?

Despite their humble beginnings, Frogskins has become one of the most popular Oakleys because of their laid-back aesthetic and wide range of colors. After wearing a variety of Frogskins over the last decade, this is without a doubt one of our favorites. Are you going to find X-Metal or Mars-style styling? No. However, these are simple pairs of sunglasses to throw on before heading out the door. Oakley Frogskins sunglasses are definitely worth a try if you're searching for a casual pair of Oakleys with the latest lens technology. 

Thoughts

Frogskins are great sunglasses with a casual style that is perfect for just about anyone's wardrobe. Although they lack the same durability as more sports-oriented oakleys, these glasses can still take some abuse and protect your eyes from sun and wind while you're out on the water.

We're happy with our Frogskins and would recommend them to anyone who wants a pair of casual yet stylish sunglasses! The good thing is you can upgrade your Frogskins with prescription lenses and here at Eyeglasses123 we have exclusive offers and exclusive savings on our glasses for our customers! Oakley Frogskins Asian fit is also available if you're looking for a different fit. To know more details, please feel free to contact us and let us know. We hope you found this article helpful.

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