What do Kate Moss, Blondie and Marilyn Monroe all have in common? They're all fans of the storied eyewear brand, Ray-Ban. Responsible for designing iconic styles such as the Aviator, Wayfarer and Clubmaster, the brand has played a starring role in our fashion history for the better part of seven decades.
While Ray-Ban now has an A-list fanbase, their beginning was much less glamorous. They started out making glasses for pilots in the US army in 1937. Tasked with creating a design that would tackle the glare without reducing vision they created the original aviator shape with a special green lens. The glasses were worn by American Air Force pilots during WW11, and civilians keen to emulate this look then started to wear the style. The design proved popular and the name Ray-Ban derives from the fact that the aim of the accessory if to ban the sun's rays. Get it?
In the '50s Ray-Ban got the Hollywood stamp of approval thanks to the introduction of the Ray-Ban Wayfarer in 1952. The signature design was worn by both James Dean in 1955’s Rebel Without a Cause and later on by Audrey Hepburn in 1961’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Since then, Ray-Bans have had their fair share of film appearances. Tom Cruise famously wore a pair of Ray-Ban Aviators in Top Gun and Ray-Ban sunglasses were the sartorial star in films such as Risky Business, The Blues Brothers and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
It has not just been Hollywood that has adopted the Ray-Ban, with many musical legends throughout the 20th century wearing their eyewear. Everyone from Bob Dylan and Michael Jackson to Blondie and Patti Smith have worn their sunglasses on stage.
The fashion world was an early adopter of Ray-Ban and the appetite for the brand has not waned. Ray-Bans are an essential addition to any off-duty ensemble (they’re a key part of any celeb airport uniform) and Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne and Suki Waterhouse are rarely seen without theirs. Even our very own royals are a fan....
With hundreds of Ray-Ban styles (and even more colourways) to choose from there’s a pair for everyone. Click through our edit below to find your favourite.
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A reworking of the classic 50s design, the Clubmaster design has a very vintage feel. While this style is universally flattering, the square shaped frames particularly suit round or oval face shapes.
Clubmaster classic in black and gold, £170, Ray-Ban
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Ray-Ban's most recognised style, the Wayfarer is a classic for a reason. Worn by everyone from Blondie to Kate Moss, Wayfarer's will last you a lifetime.
Original wayfarer classic in black, £170, Ray-Ban
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A feminine twist on a classic shape, this style are the ultimate statement sunglasses. Wear with a white sundress and red lipstick for your imaginary yacht trip in Cannes.
Jackie Ohh II in black and grey, £143, Ray-Ban
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Ray-Bans first and most iconic sunglasses, the classic avaitor style never ages. Designed originally for the US air force, the avaitor style has truly stood the test of time. Supremely flattering for all, this is a pair everyone needs in their collection.
Aviator classic in gold and green, £170, Ray-Ban
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As the name suggests, this shape is a rounder feminine take on the classic clubmaster frames. Particularly suited to those with square face, this tortoiseshell colour is super wearable.
Clubround in tortoiseshell, £134, Ray-Ban
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If you have a square shaped face than a pair round-shaped glasses will suit you perfectly. This tortoiseshell pair are the true definition of a wear-with-everything style.
Round fleck glasses in tortoiseshell and grey, £143, Ray-Ban
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Very Olsen sisters, these oversized round shaped glasses are a modern classic. Perfect for hiding from the paparazzi or in our case, hiding a hangover.
Round glasses with grey lenses, £107, Ray-Ban
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Retro inspired, round-shaped lenses combined with the unmistakable double-bridge frames makes for a pair of Ray-Bans with a difference. This statement tortoiseshell and copper colourway is our favourite.
Gatsby II in tortoiseshell and copper, £143, Ray-Ban
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If you thought white sunglasses were best left in the noughties, think again. Coveted by the Hadid sisters and a plethora of Insta-stars, Daz white frames have had the sartorial stamp approval. For a touch of old-school Hollywood glamour opt for cat-eye shaped pair like these from Ray-Ban.
White framed cat eye glasses with blue lenses, £143, Ray-Ban
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With the 90s resurgence going nowhere, round sunglasses are back in a big way . This pair does not just tick off one trend but two thanks to the rose gold lenses - arguably the 'it' colour of 2016.
Gold and copper round flash lense, £143, Ray-Ban
READ MORE: White Sunglasses: 10 Pairs You Never Knew You Needed