Ray-Ban are a girl’s best friend
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's, 1961
Ever since the dawn of time, people have looked to the sun, and then looked quickly away saying “ouch”. It was not until the 1930s that people could truly embrace the (albeit rare) solar glow in comfort and style, when answering the needs of US fighting pilots, Ray-Ban was born. This year marks the top selling worldwide sunglasses brand’s 75th anniversary. And as such, we thought we’d list the reasons we love their iconic shades so very much. Forget diamonds, Ray-Ban are a girl’s best friend.
James Dean in Rebel Without A Cause, 1955
This is not a label you stumble upon in later life and champion in an effort to be alternative and forward thinking. Far from that. Ray-Bans are woven throughout our summers from childhood to adolescent rebellion. The cool kids in films growing up wore Wayfarer‘s to signify an enigmatic air of mild benevolence, and subsequently we stealthily poached our grandad’s war-issue Aviators and leaned against any wall we could find with a mysterious air. Later on in life we all acquire a number of styles which see us through holidays, commutes, a lack of make-up and sometimes, those ‘fragile’ moments. Here are a few of our favourite styles:
Bianca Jagger with Mick Jagger
The Aviators
The original Ray-Bans, and truly timeless frame that has spawned a thousand copy-cats, each lacking that irreplaceable signature on the lens signifying effortless style. First developed to keep the glare from fighter pilot’s eyes in 1937, they soon caught the attention, and subsequent admiration, of the world and became an instant classic. Having been featured in too many feature films to count, significant starring roles in Top Gun and perched atop the bridge of movers and shakers such as Bianca Jagger has seen them become an eye-wear legacy.
Ray-Ban, Metal-Frame Aviator Sunglasses; £162, Motilo.com
Drew Barrymore knows the way to chic, is the Wayfarer
The Wayfarer
Unequivocally cool, the Ray-Ban Wayfarer has been a stalwart of the young and spirited since it’s origination in 1952. Originally gaining cult status due to appearances on the faces of Rebel Without A Cause James Dean in 1955, and later Ms Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961), these frames have grown in popularity year on year ever since, with what seems like over a hundred variations of colour and depth having been explored along the way. Having always been a fan of the classic, Risky Business black, these are undeniably the go-to shades in order to transform any ensemble from shabby to chic in an instant.
Ray-Ban, Wayfarer Sunglasses; £120, Motilo.com
Tom Cruise embarking on the first of his Risky Business back in 1983
The Outdoorsman
Actually the second oldest pair in the range having been launched in 1939, the Ray-Ban Outdoorsmen are often considered a new style. We love this particular frame for it’s use of luxe leatherwork, along with a sturdy yet interesting masculine feel. These are the kinds of shades crying out for a road trip, or trek through the Amazon, depending on your endurance threshold. Made for adventure and destined to become the accessory to many stories, we can’t get enough.
Ray-Ban, Outdoorsman Sunglasses; £200, Motilo.com
The Round
No we’re not getting retro. These are a decidedly modern classic, as relevant now as ever. The slightly ‘off-spherical’ nature of these is not only incredibly flattering, but ultimately almost too chic to handle. Delicate enough to accompany the prettiest of dresses (and faces), yet simplistic enough not to appear prim or prissy. Don’t be fooled into thinking these are a one season wonder either, so long as we’re careful, we’ll be giving these to our children in years to come.
Ray-Ban, Round Sunglasses; £170, Motilo.com