4 Tips To Help You Choose Between Aviator and Wayfarer Sunglasses [UPDATED]

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4 Tips To Help You Choose Between Aviator and Wayfarer Sunglasses [UPDATED]

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4 Tips To Help You Choose Between Aviator and Wayfarer Sunglasses [UPDATED]

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Last Updated at 2:00 pm • 27 September 2021 • James from Kraywoods


Are you on the hunt for the perfect pair of sunglasses to complement your style? Look no further than the timeless and iconic aviators and wayfarers! These two classic shapes have been topping the eyewear charts for decades, making them a must-have accessory for any fashion-savvy individual.

But with so many stylish options to choose from, making a decision between aviator and wayfarer sunglasses can be a daunting task. Whether you're going for a sleek and sophisticated look or a more casual vibe, the aviator and wayfarer styles offer endless possibilities to match your personal style.

So, which one will it be? Do you prefer the classic teardrop shape of the aviators, or the bold, angular look of the wayfarers? Whatever your choice may be, you can't go wrong with these two time-honored designs. Both are very stylish and cool sunglasses for men, but one may look and fit better on you than the other.

When it comes to choosing between aviator and wayfarer sunglasses, there's often a lot of confusion and misguidance out there. While these two frame shapes share a similar style and are both beloved by many, there are some key differences to consider when making your choice.

To help you navigate the decision-making process, we've put together 4 top tips for selecting the perfect pair of shades.

  1. Personal Sense of Fashion
  2. Face Shape
  3. Nose Bridge
  4. Cheek Bones

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The History of Aviator and Wayfarer Sunglasses

Why do pilots wear aviator sunglasses? If you ever noticed that then you have quite a good eye! Aviator sunglasses have been in the eyewear business for a very long time. They're practically considered ancient history in the eyewear world. They were first created by Bausch & Lomb in the 1900s specifically for army pilots to protect their eyes from the sun while in the cockpit. The first aviators were all made with a golden frame and a green G15 lens. That was the only style of aviator sunglasses available. With time, aviator sunglasses became more mainstream and quickly gained popularity among people to become a staple fashion accessory. It would be an understatement to say that aviator sunglasses started the sunglasses fashion trend.

On the other hand, wayfarer sunglasses were developed many years after. Ray-Ban was one of the original makers of wayfarer sunglasses. The classic black wayfarers quickly rose to popularity and became one of the most popular sunglasses frames, an equal to the aviator style.

Fast Forward to today, sunglasses have become more than a necessity to protect your eyes from the sun's harmful rays; they have become an essential part of fashion. You can now find many sunglasses fashion trends, and all styles are now available in different designs, colours, and even materials. Aviator sunglasses are most commonly made from metal and wayfarer sunglasses are most commonly made from acetate. You can also find aviator and wayfarer wooden sunglasses! Since you won't be limited by one unique design, size or colour, it will be easy for you to find the perfect pair depending on your preferences.

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How To Choose Between Aviator and Wayfarer Sunglasses?

How do you know which one of these ever so classic men's sunglasses look best on you? We have 4 tips to help you decide between a classic pair of aviators or a cool pair of wayfarer sunglasses!

1. Personal Fashion Sense

If you're going for a cool classic or sophisticated fashion look, a pair of polarized aviator sunglasses will do that just for you. They add a masculine touch to your look. However, this fashion staple is versatile enough to accompany all kinds of outfit combinations, whether it be a classic pair of jeans and a white tea, or a full on tailored suit. Aviators are the perfect sunglasses to transform and enhance your look on any day!

If you like to have a more laid-back style or prefer to opt for streetwear fashion and more comfy or casual dress, then a pair of polarized wayfarer sunglasses is the way to go. It's going to be easy to match with everything you wear and add a cool edge to your outfits. If you like being outdoors often and spending long days on the beach, then wayfarer shades are the perfect pair for that!

2. Face Shape

If your face is more of a vertical oblong shape rather than a round shape, then a pair of wayfarers will look much more balanced with your features and will look best on you.

If you have a more rounded face shape, then a pair of aviators will add some length to your facial structure and will be more flattering on you.

The best way to know what style you should be wearing between these two is to try out which one best fits your face shape and compliments your facial features. Remember, what you're trying to achieve here is a balance—aviators for a more circular face shape and wayfarers for a longer one.

3. Nose Bridge

One of the most critical factors to help you decide which shape of sunglasses best fits you is the bridge of your nose.

If you have a high bridge, a pair of aviators will rest comfortably around your nose give you the best and most comfortable fit. On the contrary with wayfarers, depending on the design, the sunglasses may sit too high on your nose, which would make for an uncomfortable fit after a long day wear.

However, those with a middle to low nose bridge will be way more comfortable with wayfarers. With these sunglasses resting better on the nose, you will achieve the best look and fit! Then again, you should be experimenting with all the styles to make sure you aren't skipping out on the sunglasses with the best fit and comfort for you!

4. Cheek Bones

If you're someone with high cheekbones, it would be best to opt for wayfarer style sunglasses as they are a bit smaller in height and will not be resting on your cheeks. Aviator sunglasses are bit longer in height and can often end up resting on your cheeks which would make for a bad and uncomfortable fit, especially after a long day wear.

However, if you have lower cheekbones, then you have the option of both aviators and wayfarers. Both will work for you and be an optimal fit, without sitting too high on your face or touching your cheeks.

Sunglasses guides usually teach you more about the different hair colours, eye colours, and styles that suits you and your personality.

Different Styles of Aviators and Wayfarers

What is a wayfarer shape? Are there any feminine aviator sunglasses? These are common questions which we often hear. Fear not, it's about to be answered! Now that you went over our tips. It's time for a little shopping! These classic and stylish shapes are ready to be worn by you! Here's a look at a few different aviator sunglasses and wayfarer sunglasses you can choose from!

1. Classic Wayfarer Sunglasses

Are wayfarers cool? If that's your way of searching for new wayfarer polarized sunglasses then we're here to tell you exactly how cool they are! The Challenger wayfarer wooden sunglasses are made with an acetate frame and Ebony wood temples. They were designed in the classic dark wayfarer colours and modernized with a unique and luxurious touch of wood for an upscale look and feel. These wayfarer polarized sunglasses are much more lightweight than your classic plastic wayfarers, they weigh so light that you can almost forget you have them on!

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2. Black Aviator Sunglasses

The Leo are black aviators designed with a sleek and thin black metal frame and upgraded with luxurious ebony wood temples, taking your classic aviator shades and bringing them to a whole new level. The thin wooden temples make these sunglasses very lightweight and offer superior comfort. Because of the dark neutral colours of these shades, they are versatile and easy to match, the good news is both men and women can rock out this shape with an edgy styling!

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3. Retro Aviator Sunglasses

Do you want medium aviator sunglasses? Well You have come to the right place! The Ash retro aviator sunglasses take the classic aviator style and give it a retro makeover. Designed with a bold wooden frame and a thick double-bar bridge, these vintage-inspired frames are a combination of the aviator shape and retro 70’s styling. Extremely lightweight because of their wooden material, these aviator sunglasses with polarized lenses are the perfect pair for a vintage aviator look with a superior comfort feel.

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4. Tortoise Aviator Sunglasses

The Runner tortoise aviator sunglasses are designed with an alluring tortoiseshell double-bridge frame and slim Burl Wood arms to create a bold silhouette with a luxurious look and feel. Featuring dark green polarized lenses, these stylish and nice aviator sunglasses with retro appeal will give your outfits a dose of vintage fashion and promise all-day comfort and protection from the sun.

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5. Clubmaster Sunglasses

If you're looking for new wayfarer classic sunglasses shape then The Black Jaguar will do you justice. They combine the classic wayfarer shape and the clubmaster sunglasses style. They are designed with a strong and angled browline made from acetate, similar to the wayfarers, and modernized with a stainless steel rim at the bottom. The temples are made from Ebony wood, which offers superior comfort and optimal fit. The Black jaguar sunglasses are unisex and flattering on almost any face shape. Ebony Wood temples and adjustable nose pads for optimal comfort and fit are flattering on almost any face shape.

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If you haven't followed the wayfarer or aviator sunglasses trend yet, then you are not too late for the party. But, when choosing a pair of sunglasses, whether it be aviators, wayfarers, or any other frame shape, you should always try them on and see which ones feel more comfortable and look best on you. Helpful tip: make sure you always refer to a sunglasses size guide when buying your sunglasses online to ensure the best fit!

Now you're ready to shop your next pair of polarized wayfarer or aviator sunglasses!

Watch Below: How to Pick Aviator Shades

By Rachad Kabbara
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