June 7, 2025
Latest Eyewear Fashion Trends

Tom Cruise and the Persol 2978 Sunglasses – A Spy Icon’s Signature Style

2 min read May 21, 2025 Jennifer Sikorski
cruise eyewear

In Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), Tom Cruise gave another of his fantastic performances as Ethan Hunt, but it was not just the stunts that caught the viewers’ attention. Cruise added a touch of class to his undercover character by wearing a pair of Persol PO2978S sunglasses. Contrasted against his light brown tortoiseshell acetate frame (color code 24/31), staining the silhouette became the lovely smoky green lenses, which besides their other ways, added up to a highly practical yet stylish choice for the true gentleman pursuing a life of action and adventure.

tom cruise shades
cruise mission impossible glasses

The Persol 2978 stands out most for the fusion of Italian style and functionality. An ideal example of an ever-so-slightly austere kind of glamorous is Persol 2978—it’s as if the glasses were also prepared to act the part. The truly unique geometry of each frame differs subtly from the languorously rounded numbers pervading most aviators worn by crews in action gear: its contoured bottom edge won’t even let the (un-photoshopped) sunlight touch the skin under the eyes! Cruise’s glasses come with his Persol signature with a pair of Meflecto temples for bending softly in front of small ears, while these fine lenses give you as much sun protection as you will ever need–something for paragliding in sandstorms. 

persol shades 2978s
persol 2978s sunglasses mission impossible

These sunglasses became more than just an everyday prop; they morphed into a statement piece that highlighted the power exuded by Ethan Hunt; they were basically the bearer of covert beauty in the scheme of this stylishly fast-paced narrative. The perfect accessory inside the character of Ethan, the Persol 2978 is now more than just sunglasses plucked from an oversized bin at their research-and-development department. 

cruise shades movie
mission impossible persol glasses

Frame Specifications:

Model Number: PO2978S

Frame Material: Acetate

Frame Color: Tortoise (24/31)

Lens Color: Green

Lens Material: Crystal

Lens Technology: UV Protection, Non-polarized

Lens Width: 56 mm

Bridge Width: 16 mm

Temple Length: 140 mm

Frame Shape: Rectangular

Fit: Medium

Hinge Type: Meflecto flexible temples (for added comfort)

Style Gender: Unisex

Manufacturer: Persol

For the movie enthusiast and fashion lover, Tom Cruise’s sunglasses in Ghost Protocol epitomized that air of self-confidence, elegance, and cinematic brilliance. This line got discontinued after some time, but the glorified position of these wonderful shades has had its effect seen in other frames made under this name. Well, for similar styles, enthusiasts can turn to EyeOns for an impressive range of Persol shades: https://www.eyeons.com/brands/persol/sunglasses/.