Family: O Matter



skull.jacket -
If I had to choose my favorite color combination, my number one choice would be a silver-ish main layer with black highlights. I like this on cars, guitars, computers, almost anything. I love the contrast between the two. When it comes to Oakleys, there are a few different options, but I think the Polished Aluminum fulfills this need in the best possible way.

Probably the most brilliant defined color in the Oakley lineup aside from Chrome or something deliberately reflective. Pol/Al has the glintiness that puts the "polished" in its name but is not so glossy that you can still tell where the frame ends and the lens begins. It is quite stunning especially when paired with the right highlights and lenses - for me it is black. If the option was available, slate or even dark grey earsocks or icons would not let the Pol/Al pop the way that back does.

I had a grand total of three frames in Polished Aluminum - Minute, Twenty & New Straight Jacket. Unfortunately, my very first pair of Oakleys, the Minute, is no longer with us. She mystriously vanished several years ago but not before succombing to the most unfortunate inevitability of Pol/Al - she molted. Even my two other frames - New Straight Jacket and Twenty - are technically still here in all their awesome brillance. However, the SJ is peeling quite badly and my Twenty is starting to show signs of doing the very same thing.

The one frustrating failing about this color is that the frames will definitely outlast the paint. Polished Aluminum is rarely around much anymore, probably for this very reason. Still, it does not take away from what it was, at least when it is in one piece. I do hope that someday Oakley revisits this color and tries a new approach; one that captures the true essence of Pol/Al with a color base that has a bit more durability.
LIEUTENANT -
It's the best,hands down!!!!!!What else could it be after all?An amazing finish coming from the years that oakley established themselves as leaders on the high end eyewear category,and during the years that all the models that made up the very foundation of oakley were released.What can I cay about the polished aluminun?A bright,shiny overwhelming finish that adorns and flatters every frame that's applied on.No sunglass looks boring with that on.I'm glad that oakley seems to be making a turn back to their roots and started to apply this finish to the jawbone and others.I wouldn't even mind if I had a whole collection of sunglasses consisting of models with this finish only.After all,as I said,it's the best.
Celicagame -
I loved the way these looked when I bought them. In my straight jacket they came paired with a fire lens and it was a thing of beauty. These would get a 5 in my book if it wasn't for the peeling problem.
Wookieman -
No doubt this frame looks amazing, however it is REALLY bad about peeling off sometimes even in store. If the coating was more durable it would be an easy 5, but function over form.
TERRORISM -
With a metallic, lusterous finish that shines like chrome, these frames offer an excellent alternative to many other "standard" colors, yet also provide a "neutral" colorway to match almost any lens. Pairing Polished Aluminum with standard colors such as Black Iridium or Titanium Iridium looks great, but pairing the frame with Fire Iridium or G26 looks spectacular.
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