Learn about a fashion legend…then get your own on Private Outlet!

Like so many timelessly chic fashion items, Ray Ban sunglasses were originally designed for function. It all started when an army Lieutenant asked Bausch & Lomb create a technology to protect pilot’s eyes from the sun’s harsh glare, which had damaged his own on a flying mission. In 1936, the resulting Aviators, with lenses mimicking the shape of military-issue flying goggles already being worn, were introduced and became an instant hit for the US Army Air Corps (today’s Air Force).

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Although today many colours are available, the original Aviator featured gold frames with green lenses. Gradient lenses were invented during WWII, to allow the pilots to easily see control panels, maps, instruments, etc., and grey lenses were introduced in 1951 at the request of the US Navy.

Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses would become one of the most copied sunglasses designs in the world. In 1938, they were sold in stores after the general public went crazy for aviators, after seeing a photo of General Douglas MacArthur landing the beach in the Philippines as Field Marshal of the Philippine Army. Later they were marketed to outdoors and sporting enthusiasts.

It doesn’t get more classic than this, and of course it doesn’t hurt that Hunter S. Thompson, Tom Cruise in Top Gun, and many more celebrities and fashion plates love to wear them…

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At the time a revolutionary departure from the usual metal frames, the Wayfarer style was introduced in 1952, and popularized by forever cool icons such as James Dean, JFK, Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe, Bob Dylan and Audrey Hepburn in the 50s and 60s.

Wayfarers are an indelible symbol of the 1980s, spurred by the decade’s 1950s revival and some timely product placement deals, most notably Tom Cruise in 1983’s Risky Business. After that, Wayfarers were worn by basically everybody in the 80s: Michael Jackson, The Blues Brothers, Don Johnson in Miami Vice, Debbie Harry, Madonna…The Wayfarer was relaunched in 2007 in original and new designs. The updated version is slightly newer but the original still looks fresh today, the sign of a true classic.

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By consistently focusing on high standards of quality and design, Ray Ban has stayed on top of the market since its inception, remaining a truly successful brand. Since their original innovation of Polarized lenses, they’ve been on the cutting edge of technology, with carbon fibre frames, compulsory shatterproof lenses…they were even the first to provide protective cases with their sunnies!

Although the Aviator and Wayfarer models remain timeless, Ray Ban has many other equally fashionable models, although not so many that they dilute their brand, and the new models are just as chic as the classics!