The Timeless Appeal of Aviators
Aviators are one of the most common yet classic sunglasses in the past few decades. You’ll see people wearing them at the beach, when they’re driving or even while walking down the street. LoveToKnow claims that aviators are one of the most timeless sunglass styles because of their universally-flattering shape. They also come in many lens and color options, so you can get a pair with a gold frame with black lenses or a black frame with silver lenses.
Yet, despite the popularity of aviator sunglasses, you may be clueless about where they originated and how they became a top eyewear choice. Below, we’ll discuss a short history of aviators and why they’re among the world’s most well-loved sunglasses today:
A Brief History of the Aviator Sunglasses
Aviators got their name due to the fact that they were initially intended for pilots. The US military commissioned the first aviator sunglasses in 1935 to aid their pilots during flights, where they needed sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sun while up in the air. This first-ever pair of aviators was dubbed the US Army Air Corps D-1 and was manufactured by American Optical, the oldest optical company in the US. They’ve been around since 1883, and many of their achievements are part of history—such as being the first manufacturer of sunglasses for military pilots.
Soon after, aviator-style sunglasses were made available to civilians. The first aviators were sold in 1937 under Bausch & Lombe, an eye health product company. In 1939, Ray-Ban patented the aviators, only a few years after the brand was founded. While Ray-Ban remains the top distributor of aviators, the array of sunglasses on Clearly shows how various brands have their own take on the aviator frame. Top eyewear brands like Gucci, Chaps, and Bottega created unique twists on the classic sunglasses style, making people love aviators even more.
Why are Aviators Still Popular Today?
They’re practical
As mentioned above, aviators were made to keep pilots from getting blinded by harsh glares. The original opticians and physicists who developed these sunglasses created broad lenses to cover the whole eye area and create a specialized tint that absorbs the sun’s yellow light.
Our article on the Sunglasses Market Share shows that aviators are able to fulfill the purpose of sunglasses, which is to shield the eyes from the sun’s rays. Aviators even come in polarized lenses to boost their efficiency in blocking harsh UV rays. This practical capability to effectively block sunlight is thus one of the things that make aviators a crowd favorite.
They have a classic design
The aviator’s classic frame design and style can fit people of any gender and age. The lenses also complement universal face shapes, making them a go-to pair for many people.
Aside from its timeless design, aviators come in various color combinations—especially after Ray-Ban began putting out more versions of the famed sunglasses. There are aviators with reflective lenses, frame colors, crystals, and sizes to choose from and fit anyone’s definition of a classic sunglass design.
They’re a pop culture icon
Arguably, aviators first became popular after General Douglas MacArthur was photographed wearing a pair in 1944. Many people found the sunglasses appealing and patriotic, urging the general public to purchase their own pairs.
It wasn’t long before Hollywood began using aviators in films. One famous example is Top Gun (1986), in which Tom Cruise’s character Pete “Maverick” Mitchell wore Ray-Ban aviators throughout the film. Ray-Ban’s sales went up by 40% thanks to the movie, and by 1988, they were making 4.5 million pairs to meet the public’s demand.
Today, Tom Cruise still wears aviators, even off-screen. Other past and present personalities—like Freddie Mercury and Jennifer Lopez—are also fans of aviators, contributing to the sunglasses’ popularity.
Aviators are a timeless sunglass style suitable for just about anyone. If you’d like a classic pair of sunglasses, then you can’t go far wrong with a pair of aviators.
