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By Gerald Ortiz and Jake Woolf
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All shades are some degree of cool, but the best aviator sunglasses for men might be the absolute coolest. Originally developed in the 1930s, aviators were designed to replace the bulky goggles worn by military pilots, which would frequently fog up at high altitudes. Aviators were crafted with a lightweight metal frame and brow bar that could tuck under a helmet, teardrop lenses to cover the wearer's full field of vision, and green lenses to reduce eye strain while cutting glare. Soon after, Bausch & Lomb let civilians in on the fun, dubbing the mass market version the “Ray-Ban Aviator.” Sound familiar?
From there, aviator sunglasses for men exploded in popularity, worn by flannel-suited Mad Men in the ‘60s, bell-bottomed disco dancers in the ’70s, and anybody inspired by Top Gun—the original or the sequel. In 2023, superstars like Jay-Z, Timotheé Chalamet, and the entire cast of Fast & Furious are making like Maverick.
The aviator’s unending popularity comes down to its functionality (UV-protection is still key here) and ridiculously versatile cool factor. We haven't yet found a face shape—or a fit—that they don't pair well with. From party-ready shirts and fancy leather loafers to flared jeans and fuzzy cardigans, the aviator's not afraid.
Whether you're in the market for club-ready frames, hyper-luxe shades, or a clean and classic statement piece, there's a pair of men's aviator sunglasses that's just right for you. These are 25 of the slickest, high-flying-est, most badass pairs to buy right now.
Frame: Metal Lens: Polycarbonate Size Availability: 55, 58, 62 ml
Ray-Ban and aviators were born together, and the original design remains as handsome and timeless as ever. The brand's version comes in dozens of frame and lens combinations, including a slew of gradient and mirrored lenses, but this gold frame and black lens pair is the preferred pairing for our Commander-in-Chief and Maverick from Top Gun. Whether you're piloting a jumbo jet or nursing a hangover, these polarized aviator sunglasses will keep you looking fly.
Frame: 23K Gold Plated Lens: AOLite™ Nylon Size Availability: 52, 55, 57 ml
These sunglasses have literally been to the moon. American Optical's sunglasses were worn by the entire Apollo 11 crew—and De Niro in Taxi Driver, in case space travel wasn't enough. The Original Pilots are built to U.S. military specifications, so you'll lose them long before you break them. While standard aviators feature a triangular teardrop lens, AO's version are a touch more square.
Frame: Gunmetal Lens: SkyTec™ Glass Polarized Size Availability: 52, 55, 58 ml
As far as quality goes, you can't do better than Randolph Engineering—the official sunglass supplier to the Air Force since 1982. Their signature model, which requires six weeks to build a single pair, is nicknamed "The Tank" thanks to its near-indestructible frames. They're a bit more expensive than the other big-name options, especially for non-polarized lenses, but the quality and pedigree is worth it.
"Hatcher" Aviator Sunglasses
Frame: Acetate Lens: Polycarbonate Size Availability: Medium, Wide
These aviators pack a Paul-Newman-esque retro-Hollywood cool thanks to an acetate frame that’s sleek, sturdy, and above all, affordable. (It helps that Warby Parker lets you add your prescription to them with a few lazy clicks.) At this price, you can snag a few different pairs and still have enough cash left over to buy everyone a round of poolside spritzes. (The right drink—and drink location—for these confidence-filled aviators.)
Frame: Acetate Lens: Crystal Size Availability: 127, 131, 135 mm
Popularized by Steve McQueen but favored by legions of young stars looking to borrow some of his swagger, the Persol 649 aviator sunglasses are more at home blasting around in a Mustang Mach 1 than on bombing missions. Which isn't far off the truth: they were designed for tram operators in Turin before guys like McQueen were getting air over San Francisco's hills. With their dashing keyhole bridge and Persol's signature sharp arrow hinges, they bring some serious flair to a casual golf jacket and jeans, or a smart turtleneck and dress pants.
Frame: Metal Lens: N/A Size Availability: 59 mm
Cartier is king when it comes to decadent jewelry and timeless timepieces, but the brand can do more than put a stunning Tank watch on your wrist. If you’re looking for aviators oozing in showoff glamor, the Santos de Cartier's classic shape and luxury pedigree will give your most basic Erewhon fits the breezy swagger of an A-Lister stepping out of a black SUV and onto the red carpet. (Yeah, they're expensive—but you can't afford ‘em if you can’t afford to lose 'em.)
Grand Prix Aviator Acetate Sunglasses
Todd Snyder x Randolph Polarized Sunglasses
While most of Sun Buddies' sunglasses pull inspiration from iconic musicians—it has model names like “Ozzy”, “Aaliyah”, and “E-40”—the Giorgio borrows a page from Armani's style book. Squared, rose-tinted lenses; tortoiseshell acetate temple tips; stainless steel frames—it's like these shades time traveled from the '80s straight to your face.
The Jazz Safari Aviator Sunglasses
Don't let the name deceive you: Crap Eyewear's sunnies are the real deal. The yellow gradient lenses on these capture that telltale summertime vibe with flair, whether you're cruising Venice beach with the top down or stomping around SoHo in a breezy linen shirt and Vans.
"Crosshair" Aviator Sunglasses
Saint Laurent's New Wave frames are what happens when you take the aviator and shoot it in super widescreen. Don't be surprised if you get snapped by paparazzi while getting brunch.
Akila's '90s-esque bug-eyed sunglasses will pair seamlessly with a supple leather coat and carefully (or carelessly) tousled hair.
District Vision has made a name for itself as one of the few actually cool modern-day running brands, and its Nagata shades take lessons from the cockpit to the pavement. They're super lightweight with titanium cores and screws, high-visibility shatterproof lenses that aid in low-light situations, and temple tips that allow you attach them to a sports strap. They'll also look sick incorporated into a gorpcore fit.
Oliver Peoples x Brunello Cucinelli
The Best Black Sunglasses Make You Feel Like a Total Badass
The Best Sunglasses Brands Are Always and Forever In Style
The Best Aviator Sunglasses for Men Will Take Your Fits to High Altitudes
The Best Sunglasses for Men in 2022
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