Sunglasses have always been a useful and fashionable accessory to protect our eyes against harmful sun rays in a daily file. Due to its practicality, they are never out of date, especially Aviator sunglasses. 

Aviator is considered a fashion icon, a must-have item for those who care about fashion. Do you know the reason why it is still sought-after by several fashionistas? Scroll down to find out the answer.

What are Aviator sunglasses?

Aviator sunglasses or pilot shades were initially designed in 1936 by Bausch & Lomb. Well, their names say it all. The item was developed based on the requirements of pilots to protect their eyes during flight. Also, Aviator shades help these pilots avoid headaches as well as prevent decreased visibility due to the blinding sunlight at high altitudes.

To be more specific, the Aviator sunnies have large lenses along with the teardrop shape. Hence, they can cover from two to three times the size of the eyeball perfectly. 

The Aviator is honored as a legend in the market of sunglasses. They are among a few items that still make fashionistas crazy despite being introduced decades ago.

What is the history of Aviator sunglasses?

First developed in 1936, Aviator sunglasses were considered as the first commercially popular sunglasses style. At first, it was specially designed for military pilots; that’s why it was called aviator. These sunglasses replaced the fur-lined goggles that were quite widespread in the early 20th-Century. The Aviator sunglasses offered solid sun protection, which surpassed other styles at that time in terms of quality and fashion.

At the first stage of this invention, the Aviator features G15 green lenses which allow only 15% light passing through the eyes. The lenses also have a curved shape to assist in blocking the glares effectively, therefore the pilot's vision will not be blocked while flying.

Through the 1930s, the style captured more attention from wealthier sportsmen, mostly hunters, and fishermen. These people all looked for a pair of sunglasses to protect their vision. However, the frames those days had not been called “aviator” yet. Until after World War II, when the connection between military and sunglasses was strengthened, the Aviator sunglasses were entitled.

However, it must be mentioned in the history of Aviator sunglasses that they became more popular among the general public thanks to the usage of several celebrities. For example, at the height of World War II, famous General Douglas MacArthur landed on a beach in the Philippines while wearing these sunglasses. This moment had been recorded and spread among the American press. Then, this style became a hot trend in the Second World War. Since then, the popularity of these aviators soared exponentially. 

Numerous celebrities wore the frames on every situation. Through the 1950s, Marlon Brando prioritized the tough-guy rebel vibe. Later, Paul McCartney turned Aviator sunglasses into a unique look for hippies and rock stars. He often chose the light yellow or pink lenses over a typical dark mirrored option.

Besides, when Ray-Ban brand was promoting this sunglasses model in 1956, lots of Hollywood stars from Jim Morrison, Lou Reed to Iggy Pop, went crazy because of this item. It would be a mistake if we missed the outstanding representative of this iconic accessory Michael Jackson. The image of the late artist wearing Aviator sunglasses at the 1984 Grammy became an unforgettable moment in the fashion world. Additionally, through the 1980s, when Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer rocked the shades in the popular film Top Gun, this style was much in vogue in Western culture.

Due to the unique design and fashionable shape, nowadays other optical brands followed this teardrop design to produce their own collection of Aviator, from cheap to expensive ones.

What are the benefits of Aviator sunglasses?

The Aviator sunglasses are preferred as timeless fashion thanks to the superior eye protection and versatility that suit many users. The anti-glare feature has made Aviator sunglasses become the favorite item of all social classes participating in outdoor activities. 

Apart from outstanding function, they are also popular with many people due to the unique design which suits all faces and costumes regardless of gender and age. The wide frame with two large lenses of sunglasses helps users look more fashionable and iconic. The accessories have created a trendy beauty for the girls while walking on the streets. Also, the boys have had a chance of showing romance and mystery in all clothes.

How many types do Aviator available?

There is a variety of types of Aviator shade but I will only refer to two popular styles:

Aviator mirrored sunglasses

A mirrored coating is added to the lenses of Aviator sunglasses to protect our eyes thoroughly. They can block further 20 to 60% of the light passing through the glasses compared to tinted lenses. The highlight of these lenses is better in terms of UV protection. As a result, the Aviator mirror sunglasses are always considered the optimal choice for racing or skiing athletes who have to face harsh sunlight. When it comes to the fashion style, this kind of sunglasses fits women better than men. 

Aviator polarized sunglasses

In terms of appearance, Aviator polarized sunglasses are not much different from other sunglasses. However, the lenses are equipped with a chemical layer as a special thin filter. This filter works as a curtain, which only allows beneficial light rays to pass through and blocks all the agents causing eye fatigue. To be more specific, some horizontally polarized light waves reflected from flat objects such as lakes, seas, snow, highways may cause glare. It leads to blurred vision and tired eyes. 

The Aviator polarized sunglasses have an anti-glare coating that provides a super clear vision for users. Notably, the horizontally polarized light is completely blocked, and only 15% of the light can pass through the glasses. Thanks to polarized lens technology, users can experience the best contrast images to perform better in outdoor activities.

Are Aviators Good For Driving?

Not to mention full UV protection, aviator sunglasses can bock up 85% visible light to make you feel comfortable and see better the oncoming traffic without squinting.

The fact that 80% of the sun’s harmful UV rays are the same ones that can damage and harm your eyes is scary. Moreover, they can penetrate cloud cover. So you might want to think again when you want to laugh at people who wear sunglasses while driving. 

Are Aviators Sunglasses Unisex?

Aviator sunglasses were originally made for military airmen to combat glare. But the answer to the question, “Are aviator sunglasses unisex?” is yes. They are versatile enough to rock by men and girls for any situation. When everyone is buying gifts for their loved ones, family, and friends, a pair of aviator sunglasses is a perfect option during the holiday season.

Modern women are opting for this stylish sunnies with large frames and mirrored lenses because they enhance their facial features. Meanwhile, men often choose aviators with metal frames and dark or polarized lenses.

Who Can Wear Aviators?

Unlike the old days, when pilots and veterans mostly favored aviator sunglasses, now anyone can wear them with style. They come in various designs and shapes, so you do not have to worry about finding the one that suits you.

Here are some tips on how you can choose the best aviators for your face shape:

• If you have an oblong face, you can go for large frame aviators
• If you have a rounder face, then try sunglasses with rectangular lenses
• If you have a diamond-shaped look, you need to avoid large frame aviators since they can be too big for your face.

Besides the face shape, note that your skin tone and sense of fashion also affect how these aviators look on you. There are two types of skin tone:

• Warm skin tone - goes with gold frames
• Cool skin tone - goes with silver frames

Wrapping up

Aviator sunglasses not only protect our eyes from harsh sunlight effectively, but they also bring a timeless beauty. Of all types of Aviator sunglasses, there will be a perfect one for your demand. I am sure that these fashionable shades can complement the style of every wearer. Let's find out aviator styles from our best cheap sunglasses with many colors and lens options available. Every pair of aviators is under $20 plus free shipping in the US.