Aviator glasses are one of the most popular styles in the industry and with good reason. The style was originally designed in the 1930s for US Air Force pilots to wear during flights to protect their eyes from UV rays. What began as a utility product with a practical purpose eventually evolved to become a fashion item during the 1950s and then a must-have trend during the 1970s. We’ve rounded up all the features that make the aviator glasses so unique and the reasons why the style has developed a cult-following amongst both celebrities and the public. If you’re interested in experimenting with the aviator glasses then we recommend checking out Blikvision’s range of budget-friendly options that flatter every face shape.
One of the main features that make aviator glasses so unique is that they are universally flattering on practically every face shape. The key to choosing the right glasses for your face shape is to choose a style that is a contrasting shape to your face. As the aviator glasses have wide frames that taper down into a curved lens, they contrast with practical every face shape. They are extremely well suited to heart-shaped and oval-shaped faces as they draw attention away from the upper portion of your face, including your forehead, and towards the lower part of your face where your features are more defined.
The aviator glasses have a pop-culture history unlike any other pair of glasses. They are famous for being a signature accessory of iconic celebrities such as Queen’s Freddie Mercury, the King of Rock ’n’ Roll Elvis Presley, and women’s rights activist Gloria Steinem during the 1970s. Aviator glasses have appeared in countless music videos and movies, appearing in everything from the action-romance ‘Mr and Mrs Smith’ to the 1995 mafia drama ‘Casino’ starring Robert De Niro. The style is most famous for appearing in the 1986 movie ‘Top Gun’ with Tom Cruise, whose test-pilot character ‘Maverick’ wore the aviator glasses as they were originally intended to be used. The film was a major success and the sales of ray-ban aviators increased 40% as a result, with the style even being referred to as ‘Top Gun sunglasses’ as a result of the film’s impact.
If you’re looking to invest in a pair of glasses or to try out a new style, you want to pick something that is timeless and will never date. The aviator glasses have been around for almost 90 years and look as classic in photos from the 1940s as they do today. Although the style has evolved over the years to include options for coloured and gradient lenses and additional features, the hallmark design of the aviator glasses has hardly changed overall since the 1930s. They still feature the classic metal frame, although they can now come in other materials and the temple bar that gives the glasses their unique shape. No other glasses on the market has a unique story and history that the aviator glasses do, and this timeless design will fit seamlessly into anyone’s wardrobe.