Smith Cheetah

Smith Cheetah Sunglasses

A cult-favorite Smith classic that has been turning heads since 1988 without changing what made it great. The rounded cat-eye brow, the modest wraparound fit, and the retro beach aesthetic are all original. The Carbonic lens upgrade is the only meaningful change to a frame that earned its place in the archive by being exactly what it is.

Why We Carry It
It's the frame we stock for customers who want a genuine retro classic with real outdoor functionality rather than a modern frame designed to look vintage.

Highlights

• Rounded cat-eye brow with original silhouette — The same distinctive shape as the 1988 original. A cult-favorite profile that references beach culture, aerobics, and a particular era of outdoor style without winking at it too hard.
• Carbonic lenses for impact resistance and optical clarity — An upgrade over the original lens material for better impact resistance and a crystal-clear view without the distortion that older lens technologies produced. The functional improvement the original deserved.
• 100% UV protection — Full UV coverage in a frame that gets worn for long days outside where sun exposure matters.
• 6-base lens curvature with modest wraparound fit — Enough peripheral coverage for active outdoor use while maintaining the casual, lifestyle-forward aesthetic that makes the Cheetah a year-round wearable frame.
• Durable cellulose acetate frame — A premium, bio-based frame material with a rich, glossy finish that gives the Cheetah its distinctive retro character. Acetate develops a natural patina over time that synthetic frame materials can't replicate.
• Adjustable wire-core temples — Bend and adjust the temples to your head shape for a customized, secure fit that stays comfortable through all-day wear without the frame slipping or shifting.
• Barrel hinges — Classic hardware that complements the vintage aesthetic and provides reliable, long-lasting hinge performance without the modern spring hinge mechanism that would undercut the archival character of the frame.

Best for

Outdoor enthusiasts, lifestyle wearers, and vintage eyewear fans who want a genuine retro classic with real UV protection and impact-resistant lenses for everyday wear and active outdoor use. A strong choice for anyone who wants a frame with actual history and a cult following rather than a modern frame designed to look like it has one.