Yes, you say you love wearing your eyewear, but are you always wearing the same kind of shape? We’d like to give you a list of iconic eyewear shapes that are not only flattering to most face shapes but also those that evoke a sense of cool, sophistication and style. Find out when they were first introduced and see how they’ve evolved throughout the years.

AVIATORS

Then

Bausch & Lomb designed their first pair of Aviator sunglasses for US Air Force pilots in the 1930s and branded it Ray-Ban® (see our post on how Ray-Ban became a legend here). The Aviators had green anti-glare lenses to filter our UV rays for the pilots’ best possible vision as they fought during WWII. The large, tear-drop shaped lenses mimic the shape of pilot goggles and the eyewear was made to conform to pilots’ helmets.

Now

Today, the Aviator is one of the most popular styles of sunglasses, made even more famous by Tom Cruise in the movie Top Gun. Ray-Ban® offers Aviators with green, brown, flash and polarized lenses as well as an assortment of metal profiles.

WAYFARERS

Then

The 1950s ushered in the use of plastic materials including the invention of acetate. Ray-Ban® designed the distinct square-shaped Wayfarer style in black acetate with metal rivets and were best worn by singer Buddy Holly, actress Audrey Hepburn in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s and later Tom Cruise in Risky Business. Wayfarers both came as glasses and sunglasses.

Now

Ray-Ban® has used all kinds of innovation for its Wayfarers – from a folding style to materials such as denim, wood and even metal. From dark lenses Wayfarers are now available in flash lenses, gradient lenses and in so many colors that they look good on both men, women and even kids.

CLUBMASTERS

Then

Another popular style of the 1950s were browline glasses or what Ray-Ban® coined Clubmasters, whose frame was bold on top – the same way eyebrows frame the eyes – and narrow on the bottom. Clubmasters were responsible for half of all eyeglasses sales in the US during this time.

Now

The Clubmaster has found its way to the hipster’s heart and Ray-Ban® has reintroduced this best-selling style with different frame materials such as light or dark wood, flecked acetate and aluminum. Lenses are modernized too – choose from colored, flash, gradient, polarized, round. Find the Clubmaster in regular or folding style.

ROUND

Then

The Round shaped eyewear was made popular in the 1970s flower power generation. John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin were famous for their round tinted sunglasses.

Now

Ray-Ban® has sparked a new Round Evolution by adding to the universally appealing round shape to many of its styles in both acetate and metal profiles. Today Round glasses have gradient or flash flat crystal lenses in several fun colors to complement every outfit.

CAT-EYE

Then

Originally named harlequin glasses, cat-eye glasses evoke the retro era of the 50s and were a popular style worn by women. The rounded frames with upturned temples mimic winged eyeliner, also popular during that time.

Now

Whether exaggerated or simplified, the retro cat-eye shape is here to stay and modern women can’t get enough of them. Every designer brand creates its own version and in all materials, from acetate, to metal to enamel. Try on a brightly colored pair for a pop of color like Ray-Ban, an unconventional semi-rim style like Miu-Miu or the smart and sexy metal cat-eye of Coach.