In line with the mid-century modern movement, they were quite popular in the beginning and appeared to be gaining traction through the 1950s and 1960s. They were quickly adopted by other style icons of the era, which increased their popularity further. At the same time, the frame shape was constantly evolving and different manufacturers picked up the style. Arguably, the Wayfarer is the most popular style of sunglasses sold around the world today. The favorite frames of JFK, Bob Dylan, and Andy Warhol, they cut across professional, style and cultural lines with ease to remain one of the most flattering and versatile sunglass shapes out there.
The distinctive trapezoidal shape is much more akin to a cat-eye frame than the squared off shape of modern wayfarers. At the time, it was considered a very masculine look, and it suited Bob Dylan’s counter-culture aesthetic perfectly. So many, in fact, that Wayfarers have become a whole sunglass subgenre, with every eyewear brand and fashion house producing its own version. If you don’t already own a pair, it’s about time you did, which is why we’ve pulled together some of our favourite twists on this time-honoured eyewear essential, with something to suit every taste and budget. 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.
With a slightly smaller frame size and flat lens design, the Modified Wayfarer® gives you classic styling with a more flattering fit and less front tilt. These unisex designer sunglasses in polished black highlight the distinctive Ray-Ban oval rivets at each hinge and draw attention to the iconic yet contemporary silhouette of the Modified Wayfarer® style. Crafted from injection molded plastic, these eyeglasses are strong, durable and resistant to extremes in hot and cold temperatures. Wide square lenses in crystal green provide excellent color contrast and clarity while blocking the sun’s harshest rays. The classic metal Ray-Ban® signature is prominent on broad temples.
If you are unsure whether your legal dependents are eligible under your vision insurance plan, please check your benefit information. Photographs of General Douglas MacArthur sporting Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses introduced the style to the masses, and the brand has only become more popular since then. Ray-Ban sunglasses feature prominently in blockbuster movies and hit songs; a certain Top Gun wore Aviators to great effect while a California rock band name-dropped Wayfarers in their song lamenting the end of summer.
Your vision is our priority, so we’ve created a complete website-to-store experience, from ordering online for in-store pick-up to free cleaning, fitting and adjusting. And if you need a prescription, you can easily book an eye exam for you and your family members in just a few clicks. One of the best things about Wayfarer-style frames is their versatility when it comes to face shape. Whether yours is square, round, heart-shaped, rectangular, diamond or otherwise, the Wayfarer’s mix of straight lines, curved lines and angular points means it will work.
All models in the Ray-Ban collection are products of meticulous, original styling that translate the best of the latest fashion trends into an ever-contemporary look for millions of Ray-Ban wearers around the world. The two 5-megapixel cameras don’t take the best pictures or videos. Modern smartphones come with multiple lenses that offer zoom or wide-angle capabilities for fitting more into a picture, and most have a sharper 12-megapixel resolution. But the glasses were good for quickly capturing moments on the go. I was able to say “Hey Facebook, take a photo” or “Hey Facebook, take a video” and the glasses understood me.
The distinct shape is paired with the traditional Ray-Ban® signature logo on the sculpted temples. Another great feature from Ray-Ban is the ability to get prescription lenses. Choose from a wide range of classic Ray-Ban frames and make them yours with custom prescription lenses. If a company has been thriving for years, it’s safe to say they probably make pretty good stuff. Ray-Ban has been making functional and cool eyewear since 1937. Today, the brand still offers some of the best sunglasses on the market.
And they include microphones, so you can talk on the phone through them. Thinking back, I used to find the Vuarnets to be a fine counterpoint to my slick 80s Wayfarers back in the day. The smaller frames that are available at the better optical shops today go nicely with more slender oval faces – not sure if we had the same variety back then as we do now. Mine are tortoiseshell dark ray ban caravan brown and have prescription lenses in the frames. If spending hundreds of dollars for a pair of sunglasses isn’t something you can justify, here is a more casual pair of sunglasses at a very reasonable price point made from bamboo and ideal for a day on the beach. Tom Ford’s interpretation of the classic Wayfarer is a sleek black frame with gold accents and a fashion-forward shape.
For Wayfarers made from acetate, check vintage stores for the best deal. You can often find vintage acetate pairs from before Ray-Ban was sold to Luxottica on eBay; however, new they can cost upwards of $500. Note that they are much larger than the newer models, so vintage clubmaster frames are not always suited well to small faces. This is where some other brands may be able to provide a better offering. Realizing the relevancy of product placement, the company invested $50,000 in showcasing the Wayfarer in Hollywood films and on top television shows.