Top Gun and our aviator sunglassess obsession

Aviator sunglasses are back, well for us they never really left, with the release of Top Gun: Maverick this month, so don’t lose that loving feeling and fall in love with vintage aviator sunglasses all over again.

a little Aviator sunglasses history

During World War II the military procured glasses for pilots that enhanced vision and reduced glare at altitude. There’s some debate about who was first to design aviator sunglasses. American Optical (AO) supplied essential goggles to US military pilots. 

The US Army Air Corps enlisted another eyewear master Bausch & Lomb who developed the iconic Ray-Ban Aviator in the 1930s. They hit the mainstream in 1950s and then had a surge of popularity in the 1970s and 1980s with the release of Top Gun.

Top Gun 2 Maverick

It was 1986 when Top Gun was released and we all fell a little bit in love with Tom Cruise as Maverick (not to mention Val Kilmer and Kelly McGillis) but it was really the gold aviator sunglasses he wore that stole the show (along with the shirtless beach volleyball).

So now Maverick’s back and if you’re after an action packed adrenaline rush, aerial scenes and songs by Lady Gaga, this could be one of your movies of the summer.

why we love aviator sunglasses

Not just for pilots we love aviator sunglasses as it’s such a classic timeless look that will never date. Freshen things up and wear them as your glasses frame. Choose from 70s square acetate aviators or the iconic 80s metal pilot teardrop style.

Adored by celebrities like Al Pacino in Scarface, Robert De Niro, in the 1976 film Taxi Driver and feminist Gloria Steinem in her 70s aviators.

Take a peep at our curated collection of vintage aviator sunglasses, add in your prescription or change up the tint colour and make like a maverick this summer.

I’m off to book my movie seats.. you?

Jo

70s glasses - our current obession

koolshooters

Go big or go home, the 70s were not understated. Breaking free from the confines of the 50s and 60s, in the 1970s we began to consider glasses fashion accessories rather than just a medical device. For 1970s glasses - bold, oversized, experimental styles were the order of the day.

The seventies were about making style statements and showing personality in earthy brown tones, mould breaking materials and bold shapes. Here’s some of our favourite 70s glasses styles to get that seventies vibe…

oversized 70s glasses

The bigger the better, to stand out from the crowd and make a style statement, plus there’s so much more lens to see through. Original 70s vintage oversized glasses are the real deal. Perfect as sunnies, but also for those days when less is definitely not more.

70s Aviators

One of my personal faves, the 1970s aviator. First invented by Bausch and Lomb for RayBan as sunglasses for pilots in the 1930s, aviators resurface throughout the eras and were much loved in the 70s.

Metal or acetate, clear crystal, tortoiseshell, black or gold, there’s an aviator frame for every mood. And we can’t underplay our love affair with the double bridge.

70s Butterfly

Get your boho on with a 1970s butterfly. Break from the ordinary and bag yourself a beautiful butterfly shape glasses frame. Based on the wings of a butterfly, these have all the extra vintage design details to make your style extraordinary.

The seventies square

Bold chunky acetate, the seventies square style is not for the faint hearted. We love this strong 70s angular look giving us all the retro feels. Just add a roll neck and take a trip.

the drop side

Stand out from the crowd in a 70s drop side frame, usually accompanied by the most gorgeous detailing. More like works of art - from zoom meeting to kitchen disco with ease.

What’s your favourite 70s vintage look? Try some on in the comfort of your own home with our Home Try On service - add your prescription or a hint of a tint in peach or sand in true seventies style. Take a peep at our other retro 1970s styles.

Peace out.

Jo