The History of Aviator Sunglasses: From Cockpits to Top Gun

How a 1930s pilot goggle became the most copied sunglasses shape in the world, from the Ray-Ban Aviator and wartime icons to today's budget polarized aviators.

Few designs have aged as well as the aviator. The teardrop lens, thin metal frame, and double bridge were created to solve a practical problem in the cockpit. Almost a century later, the same silhouette sells in every price range, from the Ray-Ban Aviator Classic to polarized pairs under $20.

The problem: glare at altitude

In the early days of aviation, open cockpits and higher altitudes exposed pilots to intense sunlight, cold, and wind. Fur-lined goggles kept the wind out but did little against glare, and pilots reported headaches and eye strain. American military aviators wanted eyewear that reduced brightness without blocking their view of instruments and the sky.

Bausch & Lomb and the birth of Ray-Ban

Bausch & Lomb, an optical company in Rochester, New York, developed a lightweight metal frame with large green-tinted lenses for pilots. The teardrop shape followed the eye socket and dipped low to cover the downward glance at the instrument panel. The design was released to the public in 1937 under a new brand name built around its purpose: Ray-Ban, because it banned the rays. Its green lenses later evolved into the G-15 formula, which lets through about 15% of visible light while keeping colors natural.

Wartime icon

During World War II, aviators became standard issue for many American pilots. Photographs of General Douglas MacArthur wading ashore in the Philippines in 1944, wearing aviator sunglasses and a corncob pipe, helped turn the shape into a symbol of authority and adventure. Other manufacturers, including American Optical, produced military aviators with their own variations — the style behind budget lookalikes such as the J+S Premium Military Style Classic.

From the military to pop culture

After the war, surplus aviators reached civilians, and the frame was adopted by police officers, musicians, and film stars. Top Gun (1986) put Ray-Ban aviators on Tom Cruise and caused a surge in sales that has been repeated with every revival since. The aviator has never fully gone out of style; it just moves between being a classic and a trend.

Why aviators still work

The teardrop shape adds width at the top of the face and narrows toward the cheeks, which balances square, heart, and oval faces. The thin metal frame keeps the look light, and adjustable nose pads help with fit on different bridges. Rounder faces can wear aviators well when the lens is large enough to cover the cheekbones — see our round face guide.

Aviators at every budget

For the original, the Ray-Ban RB3025 Aviator Classic (about $155) still uses the G-15 green lens. For driving, the Serengeti Brando (about $225) pairs the aviator shape with photochromic glass that adjusts to changing light. Persol's folding 714 offers a European take. On a budget, the SOJOS Classic Aviator Polarized (about $18) and J+S Aviator Polarized (about $16) bring polarization to the classic shape, and the Goodr Mach G (about $35) is an aviator built for running.

Prices are approximate and change with sales and colorways. Whatever you choose, look for a clear UV400 or 100% UV protection label, and compare the frame width with a pair you already own. Browse all aviators in our sunglasses directory.