The Best Wayfarer Sunglasses for Timeless Style

Put on a pair of Wayfarer shades, and you’ll look cooler no matter what you’re wearing. It’s as if they have this mystical power to give you a swagger so smooth you’re almost a different person. There’s just something about the trapezoid shape and Cadillac tail fin-inspired structure that oozes sophisticated style.

Everyone from Bob Dylan to Tom Cruise rocked a pair of these timeless shades — we can probably name a random celebrity or pop culture icon from the past or present and find a picture of them donning a pair. There’s a pair of Wayfarers out there for everyone, and we’ve decided to gather the best interpretations of the iconic silhouette for our guide to the best Wayfarer sunglasses. However, before we jump in, we’ll go over a little bit of their fashion history to get you better acquainted with the sunglasses.

wayfarer history

Ray-Ban introduced the Wayfarers back in 1956, setting the fashion world on fire with a pair of bold shades, and everyone instantly fell in love. They were designed four years prior to their release by American optical designer Raymond Stegemen, who worked for Bausch & Lomb, Ray-Ban’s parent company during the ’50s. Everyone under the sun was rocking a pair, including John F. Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn. They were in vogue for a solid couple of decades until they faded for a brief break. Then, the sunglasses snatched the spotlight again in 1980, making a prominent appearance in The Blues Brothers. Their popularity dipped in the early 2000s, only to resurface once again in the early 2010s, lighting up mainstream fashion. Style is the only thing that never goes out of fashion, and the Wayfarers have style to last a lifetime.

what face shape works best with wayfarers?

Wayfarers will look good on just about anyone because the design features a mix of both straight and curved lines. However, they work particularly well on those with round or oval faces, as the angular silhouette provides a nice contrast and can broaden your face.

What to look for

UV Protection: With any pair of sunglasses, the most important aspect is the UV protection they provide. Ideally, you want something that blocks at least 99% of UV rays so your eyes are well protected against damage. However, Wayfarers are famously a stylish pick, and if you’ll be wearing them mostly indoors or at night (like the classic cool guys before us) you can get away with lower protection.

Polarization: Polarization is another key aspect of sunglasses, and while the anti-glare treatment is very convenient and makes it easier to see when it’s bright, it’s not quite as necessary as solid UV protection.

Style: Obviously, every pick on this guide is based on the original Wayfarers from Ray-Ban, but some may stray from the blueprint a bit. If you’re a purist, go for a pair that’s not too big and not too small with a uniform color (like the original), but if you’re open to interpretations, then there are plenty of options that have bigger lenses, added flair, and a variety of other additions.

Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Classic

Best Original Glasses: These classic shades look exactly like the original design that came out in the 1950s, except for the metal studs. They have various lens treatments, including crystal green, crystal grey gradient, and G-15 polarized. Ray-Ban’s 54 mm shades are legendary, having been worn by plenty of pop icons and historical figures, with the list growing every year. They have been a Hollywood favorite for decades, both on and offscreen, adapting to any fashion trend you throw at them. Although there have been plenty of fashion-forward interpretations of the Wayfarer, the original still wears the crown for being the best of the bunch. Ray-Ban also offers a version equipped with a practical folding capability.

Oakley Frogskins

Best Outdoor Glasses: Made in America, these Oakley Frogskins Sunglasses are inspired by the 1980s, projecting a retro vibe. They have high-definition ‘Optics’ lenses with magnificent clarity across the entire field of view and ‘HDO’ refraction, providing you with a true visual image, keeping your brain from working overtime to process all the details in front of you. To further help your eyes, Oakley’s lenses block 100% of UVA, UVB, and UVC rays, as well as blue light. Protecting your eyes on the brightest day, these Frogskins sunglasses are always reliable.

Tracksmith The Charles Sunglasses

Best Running Glasses: Collaborating with Article One, Tracksmith created their first pair of running sunglasses for men taking inspiration from the classic Wayfarer blueprint. Made with TR90 polymer plastic, which is extremely durable, flexible, and adjustable, these shades are made for the road. The hypoallergenic frame will hold its shape after it adjusts to your face and bends to move along with you. These lightweight sun blockers will help running look like a breeze.

Persol PO3291S

Best Italian Glasses: World-renowned eyewear company Persol gives you a smoother version of the classic Wayfarer structure. They feature Persol’s signature ‘Meflecto’ technology, the world’s first flexible stem system created for optimal comfort that removes the pressure on the head from the arms of the sunglasses. The acetate crystal lenses are one of the larger eye windows for the Wayfarer design for those wanting a little more coverage than the norm. The sunglasses are finished off with Persol’s legendary logo on both arms called ‘The Arrow.’ They come in a variety of colors, including black, Havana, and striped brown.

Moscot Gelt Sun

Best Keyhole Bridge Glasses: Moscow’s Gelt Sun shades have diamond-shaped rivets and a comfy keyhole nose bridge for a bold, classic style. These handcrafted acetate sunglasses feature a five-barrel hinge and acetate nose pads for a relaxed fit. The Gelt Suns have minimal accents, such as Moscot temple engravings and Moscot’s signature acetate tips, to help them stand out without screaming for attention. They also have real G-15 glass lenses for amazing clarity.

Garrett Leight Calabar Sun

Best Durable Glasses: Garret Leight’s take on the Wayfarer silhouette comes in the form of the slick Calabar shades. Like the original Wayfarer design, they’re inspired by ‘50s car fins. Constructed with cellulose acetate and a metal core wire, these shades are as sturdy as they are stylish. The square-shaped design works well for all face shapes and comes in several dashing colors, including matte russet, champagne, and black laminate crystal.

Tom Ford Men’s Square Acetate Glasses

Best Designer Glasses: Legendary American Fashion Designer Tom Ford re-imagined the Wayfarer silhouette and produced a modern version with beautiful gold accents. These Italian-made shades are built using polarized Blue 6 Base CR39 lenses with 100% UVA and UVB protection. The 52 mm lenses are slightly smaller than the original Wayfarer, and the edges are more rounded and less aggressive for a designer-wear makeover. They’re made with a lustrous black acetate frame showcasing rose gold palladium metal ’T’ details. In case your vision isn’t as fresh as your style, these shades are also prescription-friendly.

Cutler and Gross The Great Frog

Best Unique Glasses: Made in Italy from fine glossy acetate and intriguing square frames, these Cutler and Gross sunglasses solidify the company’s flawless craftsmanship and designs. They have wide tapering arms, lenses with 100% UV protection, and come with a hard case to keep them protected when night falls. They’re a pair of daring shades meant to go with just about any outfit, with a pair of daggers and crossbones on the front and sides tying it all together.

Jacques Marie Mage Fellini

Best Premium Glasses: The Los Angeles-based boutique Jacques Marie Mage knows a thing or two about classic American style, as they’ve been crafting high-quality shades inspired by legends and celebrities since 2014. The Fellini sunglasses are inspired by the legendary Italian filmmaker and crafted with cured cellulose acetate. The label’s signature arrowhead pins are found on the front, and you’re getting 100% UV protection, so they’re just as useful as they are stylish.

Best Aviators for Pilot Style

Aviators are an equally classic silhouette, and our best aviators guide covers some worthy picks.