In yet another diversification, B&L moves into the contact lens solution market. Optically, an old pair of USA Ray-Ban sunglasses hardly differs at first sight from a new Luxottica-Ray-Ban, but the differences become clear at second glance. Only years later did the US realize which child of the country it had given up.
Timeless style, authenticity and freedom of expression are the core values of Ray-Ban, a leader in sun and prescription eyewear for generations. The lifestyle brand joined the Luxottica Group in 1999 after which Ray-Ban accelerated its growth and redefined its distribution. As of December 31, 2018, Luxottica operated 213 locations, mainly in China. In spite of its popularity, Ray-Ban focuses on individuality and personal identity in this lively collection of eyeglasses.
At the faster speeds of trot and canter, I am not able to whip out my phone to take a video and I never got around to attaching a GoPro to my helmet. With the Ray-Ban Stories, as soon as my horse and I started cantering, I gave the clubmaster command “Facebook take a video” and the camera started recording. I know this because there is a sound that tells you that recording has started and ended. There is also a small light indicator on the inside part of the frame.
It went on to buy Erroca for €20 million and Oakley for US$2.1 billion, making it by far the largest eyeglass company on the world. After the enforced austerity of the war years, it was perhaps inevitable that the 50s became the era of high glamour. Despite the enduring popularity of the Aviator, B&L decided it was time to take advantage of the new synthetic materials available and create a design with a different appeal. This involved providing glare-reducing coating at the top of the lens but leaving the lower area untreated so that pilots could view their instruments clearly and easily.
The company also makes some products in their facility in China, however, so if your glasses come from there, that doesn’t mean they’re knock-offs. Clubmaster glasses make you look intellectually superior in a fun, retro way, especially if you go for the tortoiseshell frames. There’s a lot of concern about getting counterfeit goods, and rightly so. All Ray-Bans have “RB” engraved on the far left side of the left lens and Ray-Ban in white embossed on the other lens.
The Aviator, Clubmaster, and Wayfarer are all available with clear lenses in your prescription. In addition to these iconic styles, Ray-Ban has exclusive eyeglasses for women. Explore the playful color combinations of the RB7140 or the feminine cat-eye of the RB2185V Wayfarer II. If you want to wear a true conversation-starter, look no further than the clubmaster RB6448 Hexagonal. With so many styles to love, we’ve curated a list of our favorite women’s Ray-Ban glasses. It’s also worth nothing that polarized lenses can help protect your peepers too, because they reduce glare brought on by reflection or horizontal light. These can be particularly helpful for driving, whether it’s snowing or super sunny outside.
Movie culture kept the public profile high and the Wayfarer put in an appearance in ‘The Blues Brothers’ and ‘Risky Business’ . The original Aviator had a strong resurgence when Tom Cruise sported a pair in ‘Top Gun’ , taking the model back into the heart of its original aerodynamic roots. Several years previously, B&L had been asked to develop special lenses designed to limit glare experienced by pilots in the Army Air Corps. Based on its military product, B&L creates similar glasses for use by the general public. With the Dior Polarized Square Sunglasses, you’re guaranteed clear, unblurred vision.
Facebook has been able to fit an impressive amount into a frame just a few millimetres thicker and five grams heavier than a standard pair of Wayfarers. Each wing of the glasses hides a camera, which combine to shoot five megapixel still images and video of up to 30 seconds with a long or short tap of the device’s only button. So far, so similar to Snap’s Spectacles, but the Ray-Ban Stories also feature open-ear speakers to listen, and a “three-microphone audio array to deliver rich voice and sound transmission for calls and videos”. Those microphones also let the glasses be controlled by voice, for a hands-free experience.
Some Ray-Bans are designed specifically for women to wear; others, like the classic Wayfarer, are unisex designs. Read our buying guide to learn more about this iconic sunglasses brand and how to find just the pair for you. Best men’s sunglassesOur top expert-approved men’s sunglasses offer all the protection you need to help you enjoy your favorite outdoor activities.