Aviator Sunglasses
From LoveToKnow Sunglasses
The History of Aviator Sunglasses
As the name suggests, the glasses were made for pilots. In fact, the style was popularised during the 1980s, when Tom Cruise's character in the pilot movie, Top Gun was frequently seen wearing a pair. The aviator style of sunglasses goes back much earlier than the 1980s, however.
First seen during World War II, they were created in response to a need for sunglasses which would protect pilots' eyes from the sun's harsh glare. That the style is still around today, and more popular than ever, is testament to their ability to do just that – and to look good in the process!
While still worn by pilots, the excellent anti-glare protection offered by aviator sunglasses has led to their adoption as the sunglasses of choice for law enforcement officers. Not only do the glasses protect their eyes on daytime shifts, the dark lenses also prevent people from making direct eye contact with the wearer, thus adding to their air of authority. The mirrored lenses which are often used with this style of sunglasses only adds to that effect – and is one of the reasons why the glasses have become popular as fashion accessories, too.
Aviator Styling
Although they may look like regular shades, aviator sunglasses are carefully designed to offer maximum protection to the eye. Aviators have a metal frame, housing a lens which is typically around two or three times the size of the eye socket. The lenses are normally polarized, although mirrored styles are also popular.
Unlike some contemporary sunglasses, the lenses in a pair of aviators are gently curved. This design feature goes back to the days when the glasses were created for pilots, and the purpose is to cut out as much glare as possible, making sure that sunlight doesn't reach the eye through the sides of the glasses. The wrap-around sunglasses which are available today are designed using the same principle, and are a more modern version of the Aviator.
Buying Aviator Sunglasses
Aviators are a classic style of sunglasses which have truly stood the test of time. That means you should be able to find a pair in almost any sunglasses store, as well as online. Aviators are a style rather than a brand, so you you'll also find them from a number of different designers. While Ray Ban remains the brand most closely associated with aviator style, most of the big designers have added aviators to their sunglasses collections. The designs offered vary slightly from designer to designer. Ray-Ban's aviator glasses, for example, are available with different colored lenses, while Sunglass Shack stocks aviators with a polarized, mirrored lens.
A pair of Ray Ban aviators, or another designer style will set you back around $100 or more, but fans of the style can also pick up cheap aviators online, or from any sunglasses retailer.
Aviators Online
Still searching for aviator sunglasses? Try these online stores:
- HiSunglasses.com
- TechnicalGear.com
- Sunglasses Giant
- AviatorSunglasses.co.uk
- Frames Direct
- Extreme Eyewear
Celebrity Styles
If you're a movie buff, you'll no doubt have recognised Aviator sunglasses on the big screen. Leonardo DiCaprio's sunglasses in The Aviator were designed by Georgio Armani. Aviator shades were also seen frequently in Pearl Harbor, which was sponsored by one of the most famous sunglasses designer in the world, Ray Ban.
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