Everyone's heard of Ray Ban sunglasses. Unless you've been living under a rock, you'll know that they're one of the most popular and stylish brands of sunglasses in the world.
Maybe you want to buy a pair? Slow up there, buddy – with over 40 styles of Ray Ban sunglasses available, how do you know which pair is right for you?
You guessed it – that's what I'm covering in today's article. I'm breaking out the history and style feature of the top 9 Ray Ban sunglasses for men.
#1 Aviator
Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses have a long and storied history.
They were originally designed in 1936 by Ray Ban for the United States Army Air Corps. The aviators were looking for sunglasses that would shield their eyes from the sun's glare while flying high in the sky.
Ray Ban's design was so successful that it quickly became the standard-issue sunglass for all aviators in the US. During the second world war, aviators were not the only ones wearing them.
Sailors, soldiers and were all sporting a pair of Ray Ban Aviators to keep their eyes shielded in the heat of battle. Incredibly, the design has remained relatively unchanged since its inception over 80 years ago.
The style soon caught on with the general public and has been a fashion staple ever since. Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses are typically worn by men, but can also be worn by women. They have quite a masculine silhouette due to their larger size and metal frame.
The lenses are usually dark green or grey, which helps to reduce glare. The Ray Ban Aviator is the perfect choice for nearly any face shape. Regardless of the size and shape of your head, you can easily pull off a pair of Aviators as long as you wear them with confidence!
And, let's be honest, every guy wants to look like Top Gun's Maverick!
#2 Clubmaster
Ray Ban Clubmaster sunglasses is one of the styles of Ray Ban sunglasses for men that were first introduced in the 1980s. Their design is based on a classic ‘browline' shape that was popular in the 1950s.
After seeing Bruce Willis looking bad-ass in ‘Moonlighting', Ray Ban immediately saw the potential of the browline design in popular culture, and thus the Clubmaster was born. Unlike other styles of Ray Ban sunglasses, the Clubmaster was designed to give men a more sophisticated look. The frames are made of metal and plastic, which gives them a very sleek appearance.
The lenses are usually dark green or grey, but can also be brown or amber. Ray Ban Clubmaster sunglasses are typically worn by men as they have a very masculine look.
They are the perfect choice for men with round or oval faces as they help to elongate the face and make it appear thinner.
Clubmaster sunglasses can be worn with nearly any outfit, but look best when paired with a suit or sports coat.
They can also be worn with jeans and a white t-shirt. In short, these sunglasses can match most formalities other than black/white tie events. They're great for a hot summer wedding!
#3 Original Wayfarer
Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses have been a men's style staple for decades. But how did they come to be? And what makes them so special?
The Ray Ban Original Wayfarer sunglasses were first designed in 1952. They were created as a slightly more stylish alternative to the teardrop-shaped aviator sunglasses that had become popular among pilots and Hollywood stars. The wayfarer design quickly caught on, and by the 1960s, they had become a must-have fashion accessory. Today, Ray Ban Wayfarers are still one of the most popular styles of sunglasses on the market.
Ray Ban Wayfarers can be worn with just about any outfit. Whether you're going for a casual look or dressing up for a night out, Wayfarers always make you look classy. They also suit just about any square-based face shape, which is why they've remained popular for so many years.
So next time you're looking at the different styles of Ray Ban sunglasses, don't forget about the Ray Ban Original Wayfarers. With their popular history and classic silhouette, they're a great option for most guys looking to maintain a timeless style.
#4 Round
Ray-Ban's round unisex sunglasses are known for their round crystal lenses and shape.
A curved brow bar, adjustable nose pads, and thin metal temples with plastic end tips rest comfortably behind the ears. The Ray-Ban Round sunglasses are perfect for those looking for trendy and fashionable eyewear. Though the Round Ray-Ban sunglasses aren't the style that Ray-Ban is most famous for, they certainly make an impact if worn correctly.
These Ray-Ban glasses for men will always be in style. They originated from the legendary musician counter-culture of the 1960s – a legendary century in which many of the music and style greats originated.
The Ray Ban Round sunglasses come in a variety of colors, so you can choose the perfect pair to match your personal style. Choose from classic colors like black, silver, and gold, or go for a more bold look with vibrant red or blue frames.
Whether you're looking for a new everyday pair of shades or a fun fashion statement, the Round Ray Bans are a great option to mix things up and stand out from the crowd.
NOTE: If you've got a round face shape, avoid this style! The round shape is best for those with squarer face shapes.
#5 Hexagonal
Looking for something a little different? Look no further than Ray Ban's Hexagonal glasses for men.
The hexagonal round metal glasses feature thin coined profiles and flat crystal lenses and are available in classic gold with extremely slender temples.
These glasses are kind of a halfway point between aviators and round Ray Bans. In my opinion, they take the best of both worlds – the uniqueness of the round glasses and the masculinity of the aviator style. For a lot of guys, round glasses just don't work and look a bit too feminine. For those guys, the Ray Ban Hexagonal design is literally the perfect compromise.
To mix it up even further, you can mix and match base colors and lens tints to create the perfect combination for your style.
Pro Tip: Check your face shape! This style features a very controversial shape and will only suit longer face shapes. If your face is round or square, then it might be better to opt for aviators and play it safe.
#6 Justin
The Ray Ban Justin is the perfect statement piece for the modern man.
With a slightly larger frame and a rectangular lens shape, it has a rubberized frame finish for an effortlessly cool look. Would this style of frame be suitable for more formal occasions? Probably not. However, the rubberized style certainly suits more casual attire such as jeans and a t-shirt.
The Justin comes in a range of traditional or more colorful frame and lens combinations, from classic black with gray lenses to bright or transparent frame colors with solid, gradient or mirror lenses.
You can also customize your own with a choice of colors, lenses, temples, and engraving.
Whether you're looking for a new addition to your everyday style or a pair of shades for your next vacation, the Justin is sure to turn heads.
When it comes to face shapes, most guys who can wear Wayfarers can wear this style of shade – it's very similar in its shape and frame style. Be mindful of your head size, however. If you've got a small head, this style could overwhelm your face.
#7 Erika
Ray Ban Erika frames are the perfect accessory for any man looking to add a touch of sophistication to his look. The Erika shape is quite similar to the Round Ray Ban frames, however, it has more of a bulkier frame that creates a more assertive look.
With their retro-inspired rubber front and metal temples, these glasses are both stylish and practical. And with a variety of colors to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect pair to complement your individual style.
I'm not usually a fan of tortoise-shell sunglasses. However, when it comes to the Erika frame, I think it looks really sleek and stylish. These are a stand-out pair of sunglasses, so if you're looking for something a bit understated that will blend in with the crowd, then they're simply not for you!
When it comes to wearing them with different outfits, I would avoid anything formal. The design of the Erika frames lends itself to more casual environments, so a suit isn't really going to work. Instead, try teaming them with some distressed jeans and a leather jacket for a cool, off-duty look.
#8 Ferrari
The Ferrari range isn't a single frame of glasses. However, I've included it on my list because the features of this range are just really really cool!
Ray Ban has cornered the market on stylish sunglasses, and their new Ferrari range is no exception.
Inspired by race car design, these glasses feature Scuderia Ferrari details and polarized lenses that (in the words of Ray Ban Sunglasses) turbocharge your vision.
What's more, the frames are made from aeronautical grade carbon fiber and race-proof rubbers, so you can rest assured that these glasses can handle whatever you throw at them.
And of course, no pair of Ray Ban Ferrari sunglasses would be complete without the signature red frame details and Scuderia Ferrari shield.
In short, this range is like having a Ferrari racecar on your face. What more could a red-blooded American man want? You'll have the choice of many different classic frames – from Clubmans to Aviators and Hexagonal frames. However, unlike the classic designs, the Ferrari range frames add a premium feel to an already premium sunglasses brand.
#9 Stories
Guys – welcome to the future.
Ray Ban stories are a new type of smart glasses that allows Ray Ban wearers to record and share what they see using tiny cameras on their sunglass frames.
Ray Ban has partnered with some of the biggest names in the tech world to make their vision a reality, including Facebook's META. They work well with the concepts of social media and give wearers a new dimension in which to share their life events from a first-person perspective.
The glasses are designed to be lightweight and comfortable to wear, with a built-in camera that can record up to 30 minutes of HD video. They also feature Ray Ban's patented e-Tint technology, which automatically adjusts the tint of the lenses in response to changes in light conditions.
It's like something from a sci-fi movie!
Don't get me wrong, there are definitely some issues with this idea. At the end of the day, they look like regular Ray Ban glasses… so doesn't that mean there are some security issues for those around you?
I think it's a great idea, but I'm not sure if I would trust myself (or anyone else for that matter) to wear them without secretly filming funny or embarrassing moments without people realizing it!
Want to learn more about the best accessories a man can wear? Check out my guide to the top summer accessories every guy should have in his closet this summer.