What do Muhammad Ali, Debbie Harry, Andy Warhol and Madonna all have in common? Their sunglasses, of course! Specifically, the Ray-Ban Wayfarer. (Click to Tweet) The instantly-recognizable design has been vying for the title of “Most Popular Sunglasses Ever”, along with the brand’s other flagship models. So, what is it that makes them so special? Read on to see how these amazing sunglasses have transformed over the years and you may be surprised what you discover!
Before the Wayfarer, the vast majority of sunglasses had metal frames. But advances in plastics technology in the 1940s made it possible for Raymond Stegeman to develop the trademark ‘trapezoid’ frame, which was patented in 1952. Their unique style quickly became a favorite of the Hollywood stars, a symbol of America’s golden age, starting with James Dean in Rebel Without A Cause (1955). Many people think that former US President John F. Kennedy also wore them, but in fact, his sunglasses were an imitation model by American Optical! Not that it mattered much to Ray-Ban, whose authentic Original Wayfarer model continued to dominate the cultural landscape throughout the 1960s, with both Bob Dylan and The Beatles sporting them, among many others.
After hitting a lull in the 1970s, the Wayfarer came back cooler than ever in the early 1980s, partly thanks to their starring role in a series of Hollywood movies, most famously The Blues Brothers and Risky Business, but also on Michael Jackson’s Bad world tour.
Despite the ongoing, seemingly never-ending appeal of the timeless Original Wayfarer design, Ray-Ban has never been a brand to rest on its laurels. After transferring production to Italy from the United States at the turn of the millennium, Ray-Ban released the New Wayfarer, a slimmer, lighter, more rounded version, as well as the Folding Wayfarer. Since then they have continued to expand their catalogue with lots of limited editions, “Rare Prints” and other special versions of the Wayfarer, both old and new. At time of writing there are over one hundred varieties available.
Fast forward to today, and the Wayfarer is still hugely popular with young and old alike, with new stars like Robert Pattinson, Bruno Mars and Katy Perry all rocking these legendary sunglasses. Who can blame them?
The seasons may come and go, but it looks like the Wayfarer will be with us for a long time yet. So, check out the whole range of Wayfarer sunglasses available today.
Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Collection Sunglasses
Distressed Wayfarer
The Distressed Wayfarer frames come in different shades of black and hHavanaand at a first glance, they look like the classic model. For those of you with a finer eye, you’ll see that the frames have been crafted with intentional “distressing” giving them a unique and vintage feel… right from day one.
Fleck Wayfarer
The Fleck Wayfarer frames come in a deep tortoiseshell color which has been intricately blended with flecks of blue, pink or gold. All variations come with black temple pieces so for those of you who love classic style with a modern edge, they are most definitely a subtle way to style up your look.
Cosmo Wayfarer
Some of the most eye-catching variations of the Original model include those in the Wayfarer Cosmo collection. Inspired by the colors of the galaxy, they feature an out of this world blend of shimmering hues and aptly titled model names like Mercury (metallic azure), Venus (metallic green), Saturn (metallic green/violet), Jupiter (metallic green and pink) and Mars (metallic violet).
Ice Pops Wayfarer
Inspired by sunnier seasons, the Ice Pops Wayfarer is the perfect addition to any fashion beau or belle’s summer look. The dazzling, translucent frames and matching color gradient lenses come in mouth-watering shades of mint, citrus, watermelon, grape, and strawberry.
Urban Camouflage Wayfarer
Camouflage prints are typically designed to ensure you go unnoticed, but you certainly won’t be blending in with the crowd wearing these unashamedly edgy Urban Camouflage Wayfarer sunglasses. They come with arm pieces dressed in blue, black, grey or purple camouflage printed material and the arms are made of rubber which makes them more comfortable to wear.
Denim Wayfarer
Just as denim jeans never go out of fashion, neither will the Denim Wayfarer model! Ray-Ban has developed an advanced layering process to wrap the frames in 100% authentic denim and you can choose from a range of colors including dark blue, light blue-violet, green and orange (with matching color lenses of course).
Leather Wayfarer
The premium quality design of the Leather Wayfarer has made this model a stand out piece amongst the more recent takes on the Original Wayfarer. The frames are decked out in high-quality leather and the premium treatment doesn’t end there. This model also comes in a polarized version, so in addition to looking like the toughest guy or gal on the block, you’ll also enjoy added benefits like enhanced color contrast and elimination of glare.Choose from a range of colors including black, brown, green and blue.
Other notable frames which are exclusive to the Ray-Ban Original Collection can be seen with the Rare Prints, Pixel and Bi-Color models.
Ray-Ban New Wayfarer Frames
Whilst not including the extensive range of variations in materials and textures of the Original collection, they do pack the punch with some dazzling and interesting color combinations and patterns. With that said, let’s introduce the frame styles which are exclusively available with the New Wayfarer model.
Wayfarer Bi-Color
Bursting with color, the New Wayfarer Bi-Color adds an exciting element to the inner temple pieces, allowing you to spruce up your look in dynamic colors that will really set you apart from the crowd.
Wayfarer Color Mix
Crafted in premium acetate, the Color Mix model is both strong and lightweight. The bold style adds an eclectic mix of colors and will complement a range of styles and personalities. They are perfect for that summer trip with friends and casual city dwelling alike.
Wayfarer Flash
Glimmering with a spectacular multi-layer coating, the New Wayfarer Flash features mirrored lenses which reflect beautifully. Try them with tangy orange or mint green lenses.
So…which pair to pick? Take our quiz and pick the perfect Ray-Ban Wayfarer frames today.
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