Dark, sleek, and mysterious, Aviator sunglasses have been a prominent figure in fashion since their invention in the 1930s. Because of celebrities
like Tom Cruise, Michael Jackson, and Megan Fox, Aviators represent a cool and elusive style that only this model of sunglasses can deliver.
History of Aviator Sunglasses
Ray-Ban's Contribution to WWII
The first
Aviator sunglasses were made by Ray-Ban for World War II pilots. They needed glasses to eliminate sunlight and glare, and provide the best possible
vision amid smoke and flying debris.
Ray-Ban designed the iconic tear-drop frames to mimic the shape of pilot goggles and cover a maximum amount of real estate around each eye.
General Douglas MacArthur put
Aviators Sunglasses on the map in 1944 when he landed on the beach in the
Philippines wearing a pair of the tear-drop shades.
Aviators made a resurgence in popularity when Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer sported them in the 1986 action flick
Top Gun. Since then they have been a mainstay in
celebrity style and fashion.
3 Sizes, Various Colors
Today, Ray-Ban Aviators come in several sizes, styles and colors. The standard large-framed Aviator
RB3025 has an
eye size of 58. The
RB3026 is the largest Aviator frame that Ray-Ban offers. The smallest Ray-Ban Aviator frame is the
RB3044.
Prescription Aviator Sunglasses
Ray-Ban Aviators can be made in your prescription. AFEyewear.com was the first company to offer Prescription Aviators online.
Other Styles and Materials
Ray-Ban also offers other Aviator styles including the
Outdoorsman, which features a brow bar and cable temples, and the
Shooter, which features a brow bar with a metal circle beneath it. Both the Shooter and the Outdoorsman come in different sizes
as well.
These classic and eternally cool sunglasses are available in different frame materials, including
titanium and
carbon fiber. The lenses come in various tints with optional gradients and polarization.
Other Brand Aviators
Though the Aviator sunglass design was invented by Ray-Ban, many other high-end sunglass companies have produced their own versions of Aviator sunglasses, including Maui Jim, Serengeti,
Ted Baker, and Coach. Name-brand companies utilize the most highly advanced lens technology to ensure that the lenses provide the clearest vision and are free from lens distortion.
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