These are, after all, objects designed to aid seeing but that have become more about being seen. Before they went mainstream, geek glasses were able to capitalise on this.
In many ways, aviators provide a welcome relief. Take Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid , both recent adopters of the aviator; in particular, the Carrera frame. They wear aviators to offset an overly feminine outfit. Attempts have been made to dethrone geek glasses before now. In the last few years, Perspex frames or crystal frames, as retailers call them, the sort worn by Andy Warhol and Devo got close. A tracksuit, however elevated, worn with geek glasses is fine on Rihanna but risks becoming the stuff of parody on anyone else.
Already, aviators were gaining a reputation as cool. It wasn't until World War II that aviators gained their fixed association with the military--and their name. The sunglasses became standard issue for pilots, and were requested by generals and officers as well. The glasses' first celebrity endorsement came from General Douglas MacArthur, who was photographed in his standard issue pilot's sunglasses when the U. The photo became famous--and so did the sunglasses. After the war, pilots brought their sunglasses home and continued to wear them for athletic and outdoor activities.
In civilian life, aviators were associated with heroism, bravery, and patriotism. After the war, the film industry turned en masse to war films, and the leading men--often pilots or officers--wore aviators. The shades, already with a steady following among military men and the elite, became associated more firmly with bravery, masculinity, and sex appeal.
Commercial production increased, and aviators became more widely available and less costly for the average consumer. Aviators became the accessory for movie stars and celebrities in the 50s and 60s. Marlon Brando wore them, on set and off. Elvis made them his signature, as did Gloria Steinem. Starlets began reaching for the iconic frames as well, and in the '70s, tinted lenses were commercialized and pink aviator sunglasses became available for women.
The aviator's place as sunglasses royalty was solidified in with the release of Top Gun , starring Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer in jumpsuits and aviators. The rule-breaking, death-defying Maverick ensured the aviator style's association with bad boys and cool dudes. They have been a top-selling frame ever since.
Today, many variations exist on the classic aviator. Colored lenses, rectangular frames, and polarized versions have become popular. In general, all aviators have these features in common:. Traditionally, aviator frames were metal, but some today can be found in plastic or acetate for a more rigid frame. The frame shape is either the typical rounded lenses or lenses that become more rectangular at the larger end of the teardrop.
Large, oversized aviator frames have become trendy for women. Outdoor enthusiasts and sportsmen reach for polarized aviator sunglasses to cut glare. Lenses are available in a variety of colors, the most common being black, gray, dark green, dark blue, or mirrored. Fashion colors like pink, red, purple, or aqua make for a fun statement pair. Aviators are a classic sunglasses style that work well on most face shapes.
Classic teardrop aviators are a great choice for oval, square, and heart-shaped faces. Oblong faces can pull off oversized frames like these oversized black aviators , while rounder faces should look for more rectangular sunglasses like the Harvey square aviator sunglasses to balance out their features. Diamond shaped faces look better with narrower frames that stay within the cheeks, so stay away from oversized aviators.
If you aren't sure what category you fall into, here's a helpful guide for finding the right frame for your face. A classic, midsize aviator like the Scout will work for most faces.
Aside from frame shape, take into account your skin tone and style. Warmer tones look great with gold hardware, while cool skin tones look bright and healthy next to silver. Do you like the classic look of sleek metal and dark lenses, or does a lens in a fun color sound more you?
Though aviators were originally designed for military men, the versatile frame looks great on both guys and girls. Oversized frames with lighter lenses have been a very popular choice for women recently, while the classic dark lenses in metallic frames are a tried and true hit with men. Some styles may be better suited to men or women, respectively.
We offer aviator suggestions for women that are on the narrower and rounder end of the spectrum and come in fun and feminine colors. Just keep in mind the sizing of your frames while shopping for your perfect pair of aviators. Women may need to look for a narrower lens width, which fits smaller faces best. Our chic Ariel frame is a perfect choice for women with narrower faces. On the opposite end of the spectrum, men with wider faces may need to shop for a larger than average frame.
Look for a lens length of 60mm or more, like the classic Maverick. For more help finding the perfect frame to fit your face, check out this useful sizing guide. Aviators make for a great pair of driving glasses, particularly for road trips and long stints in the car. During a test flight in , in which he broke the 33,ft barrier in his biplane, Schroeder had ripped off his fogged-up goggles, causing his eyes to freeze over. The aviator was not to remain confined to the cockpit, however.
With their anti-glare lenses, the Ray-Ban Aviator shades became popular with outdoor pursuits enthusiasts from fishermen to golfers, leading to the introduction of new models. The Ray-Ban Shooter — released in — boasted green or pale yellow Kalichrome lenses designed to sharpen details and minimise haze by filtering out blue light, making them ideal for misty conditions.
The Ray-Ban Outdoorsman, issued the next year, targeted hunting, shooting and fishing enthusiasts. Military style influenced fashion trends and the shades took off with civilians, gaining momentum in the s with the launch of the Ray-Ban Caravan , a squarer version later worn by Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver Thus begun their transition from a functional to an aspirational fashion accessory.
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