How to Style Wayfarer Sunglasses [UPDATED]

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How to Style Wayfarer Sunglasses [UPDATED]

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How to Style Wayfarer Sunglasses [UPDATED]

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• Updated on 29 April 2022 • Chloe from Kraywoods


Do you like Wayfarer sunglasses? They have such an awesome design that makes you feel like a rockstar once you wear them, don't they? Without a doubt, wayfarer sunglasses are among the most popular polarized sunglasses around the world. They have always been a must-have frame for fashion lovers. If so, now more than ever!

The wayfarer sunglasses were a favorite among icons like JFK, Bob Dylan, and Andy Warhol, who appreciated their versatile and stylish design that blended well with upscale, professional, and casual looks. To this day, the wayfarer remains a timeless and classic design that transcends fashion trends. If you're having trouble styling them, don't worry. Here are a few brief tips to help you make the most of your wayfarer sunglasses:

  1. For a business or formal outfit, wear classic black wayfarer sunglasses.
  2. For a distinctive and bold look, wear coloured or flashy mirror wayfarer sunglasses.
  3. For an everyday activity and casual look, wear any wayfarer that you own.

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History of Wayfarers

The word "wayfarer" has a rich and intriguing history that extends far beyond its association with stylish eyewear. In its purest form, the term refers to a person who travels by foot. But, in modern times, the word "Wayfarer" has become synonymous with one of the world's best-selling eyewear styles.

Despite its current popularity, the Wayfarer faced a period of decline a few decades ago. However, its timeless design and cultural significance have since propelled it back into the forefront of fashion. Today, the Wayfarer sunglasses continues to be a favorite among eyewear enthusiasts and trendsetters alike.

Every fashion item experiences its own ups and downs, but some accessories never get the chance to make a comeback. However, this was not the case for the Wayfarer. Despite facing a period of declining popularity, the people were determined to keep this classic accessory alive. And they succeeded in their mission.

But where did it all begin?

Designer Raymond Stegman invented the Wayfarer sunglasses to turn away from the traditional aviator metal frames found at that time. Thus, they were found and created by Bausch & Lomb’s Ray-Ban brand in 1956 in Rochester, New York. Did you ever confuse aviator with wayfarers or vice-versa? Did you accidentally buy one shape when wanting the other? We all went through that phase. The wayfarer vs aviator debate is still going strong and either shape is not planning on leaving anytime soon.

Back to the main topic, how did wayfarer suddenly become so popular? Stegman owed it all to one aspiring actor named James Dean. The former wore the shades in his movie “Rebel Without a Cause.” Next thing you know, Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy started wearing the stylish frames. Excited yet? Can we order a wayfarer Ray-Ban please?

How to Style Wayfarers

Are wayfarers for men? Generally, yes but women can enjoy the feel of wayfarers too. There is no denying that wayfarer sunglasses changed everything. They helped transform a simple shape into sophisticated fashion pair.

Additionally, wayfarers go with most face shapes. Although they will look good on round, oval, heart, rectangle or oblong. But, they might not be suitable for everyone. Before making a purchase, get to know the glasses for your face shape.

Materials play a huge role in the popularity of the glasses. Compared to a pair of sleek black metal frames, the wayfarer sunglasses are made from thick plastic. When it comes to style, they are definitely bolder and more out there. For this reason, they may not be the most suitable for people who have small faces.

Sometimes, wayfarers with traditional black plastic frames may come across as more of a casual style of sunglasses. But only you can give the world the right message with your entire outfit. How so? You just have to know how to style them. You can go from an upscale classic look to a casual t-shirt with jeans in an instant. Here are some tips on how you can style the wayfarer sunglasses:

  • Originally created in the colour black, Wayfarers grew more than just to be known as black sunglasses. Do you believe that black goes with everything? Sadly, that is not one hundred percent valid. Yet, you CAN wear black wayfarers for a classic outfit.
  • Be careful though, black might be a very harsh sunglasses colour for those with a fair or medium skin tone. On the contrary, the dark colour will show less contrast on the ones having deep skin tones. In addition, if you’re going for a business meeting or a formal daytime event, a pair black wayfarer sunglasses like the Challenger Sunglasses will do you justice. A timeless colour and shape will perfectly compliment your look.

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  • Can you go for a coloured frame? Of course! If you happen to like a more distinctive and bold look, a coloured or flashy mirror wayfarers like the Rover Sunglasses will work out fine for you. There is nothing wrong with thinking outside the box, we promise you will have heads turn as soon as you walk into a room.

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  • If you happen to be an outdoor person, sunglasses are needed. The best wayfarer sunglasses are often worn with a pair of jeans and a casual t-shirt for a walk downtown or at the beach with your swimsuit.

The real value of Wayfarers will show in the diversity of outfits you can wear them with. It’s safe to say that they can be matched with far more clothing styles than you can actually think of. They can be an everyday pair that you can keep in your car. Generally, you can buy different pairs with different colour frames to kick it up a notch. Depending on the look you want, you can find wayfarers in tortoiseshell, red, blue, green, yellow and many more. You can even elevate your style by exploring different sizes and materials like these Black Jaguar Sunglasses.

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Where to Buy Wayfarers

Where can you buy the best wayfarer sunglasses? That is the million-dollar question. You have to keep in mind one thing: Wherever you will buy them, make sure to check the frame size indicated on the website to ensure an optimal fit. Many eyewear brands make their unique version of wayfarer sunglasses so that they can vary in design, materials and size. You can find plastic, acetate and metal wayfarer sunglasses, along with wooden wayfarer sunglasses available in different siz

es and colours.

Keep in mind that the size of the lenses and the width of the frame will have an impact on how the sunglasses will look on you. If you prefer a bold look, we would recommend going for acetate or wood wayfarers. If you like a more subtle and sleek look, you can go for wayfarers with metal frames. Let's see where you can find the best wayfarer sunglasses:

  1. An optical shop near you: not only will you have an authentic pair of sunglasses you can choose other styles of wayfarer sunglasses made by independent eyewear brands. When you’re shopping at an optical store, make sure to wear your wayfarers in store to see if they are well-suited on your face.
  2. Vintage stores can offer you the best deals for acetate wayfarer sunglasses. You can sometimes get a vintage pair from the original Ray-Bans made in the 1900s. Keep in mind that back then, wayfarers were made much bigger than the new models. One advice to remember: if you have a small face, vintage frames may not be ideal for you as they can be too big. In this case, some other brands may have a better option for you.
  3. Online stores run sales more often than optical stores, especially in the summertime or during the holidays. So, it is ideal for shopping for a new pair of sunglasses. You can look out for these sales and grab a pair of wayfarers for a great deal!

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How to Identify Fake Wayfarers

Fake wayfarers? You may find some fake ray ban wayfarer shape sunglasses or any others anywhere around. So, how can you find out your sunglasses' quality and identity authentic wayfarer sunglasses from fake ones? Here are the tricks:

  1. Check the box of sunglasses. There should be a barcode label in it. It will not be too shiny. You can also look at the print quality of the logo. Sometimes, the fake ones have a slightly off logos or lower print quality logo.
  2. Check the printing inside the arms of the frames; There should be a model number and a CE mark printed or lasered on there.
  3. There should be a static sticker on the new frames indicating the type of protection such as "UV400" "100% UVA/UVB". If this sticker is missing, then this can be a sign that the wayfarers are not authentic.
  4. Check the hinges. If they are plastic then it’s a fake.
  5. Check the silver accents on each corner of the frame; Sometimes, fake ones have a slightly different shape than the original wayfarers.

General tip, the best way to identify fake sunglasses is to look at the hinges and the details. The easy way to avoid buying sunglasses that are not authentic is to purchase directly from eyewear brands or optical stores. This way, you'll be sure to get the quality that you paid with the advantage of having a guarantee on your sunglasses.

Watch Below: Wayfarer Sunglasses Guide


Wayfarers are must-have sunglasses as they are versatile and easy to match with almost any outfit. You can always have them on to protect your eyes from the sun's harmful rays without compromising on style. If you're someone that doesn't like to have many pairs to choose from, then wayfarers are a safe bet!

On the contrary, if you often like to change up your style and you’re interested in the wayfarer sunglasses shape, you can avoid the original black wayfarers and go for an updated and colourful design for an effortlessly fashionable look.

By Rachad Kabbara
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