Cop a Pair of These Iconic Shades to Soak Up the Sun in Style

Best Aviator Sunglasses for Men

Cop a Pair of These Iconic Shades to Soak Up the Sun in Style

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In the menswear world, when a product gets a co-sign over and over — and over — again, that’s usually a very good thing indeed for your wardrobe and your everyday carry. In the case of the best aviator sunglasses, it’s a strong sign that you need a pair ASAP for the ride from spring and summer — and well beyond, of course. The co-sign in question here? Well, the best aviator sunglasses have been trusted by real-life aviators, of course — and they tend to get a lift from Tom Cruise on the silver screen — and the list is seemingly endless from there.

Yes indeed, some of the coolest men’s styles of all-time are centered around the effortless look of the best aviator sunglasses. And like the field jacket or the henley, its real-world functionality happens to deliver the perfect blend of utility and style for your own warm-weather looks. The design is endlessly versatile, with lenses that tend to be sized right for most faces. Customize your lens and frame color as you please, and let the shades do the talking from there.

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The aviator sunglass design is both dressy enough to style with a suit and ruggedly appealing enough to wear with a white tee and blue jeans (thank you, Tom Cruise). And plenty of brands are making pairs that are both luxe and suitably affordable. Buy a pair and wear them for sunny day after sunny day this season.

Ray-Ban Classic Aviator Polarized Sunglasses

Ray-Ban’s original, Top Gun-approved aviator has stood the test of time, with polarized lenses that stand up to harmful UV rays. The look is instantly recognizable in big-time movie moments and on the faces of style enthusiasts worldwide, with a wide variety of frame and lens options — plus, a mighty agreeable price. You might want to consider having more than one pair on hand for everywhere you’re headed this season.

$213 at Amazon.com

Randolph Engineering 23K Gold Aviators

For five decades, Randolph has been fiercely committed to USA-made sunglass production, even going so far as to craft its highly durable, military-approved pairs on machines originally made by the company’s founders years ago. This lends itself to results that are both heritage-worthy and remarkably dependable — and to make things even better, they’ve amped up the premium feel of aviator frames with 23-karat gold and sleek polarized cobalt blue lenses.

$349 at RandolphUSA.com 

KAENON Driver Polarized Sunglasses

Versatility is the name of the game with aviator sunglasses, something which KAENON knows a thing or two about. Yes, the brand makes plenty of sub-$100 frames, but we suggest you step things up a notch with these metal alloy-frame shades featuring handsome blue polarized lenses. A sub-$200 pair of aviator sunglasses made in Italy is a downright steal, too.

$199 at KAENON.com 

AETHER Apparel Bryce Sunglasses

AETHER built its brand on technical gear that’s rugged enough for the great outdoors, and stylish enough for urban exploration. Its recently launched sunglasses luckily follow the same mold, in an exceptionally premium manner. The key here is hard-wearing Japanese titanium, polarized anti-reflective lenses, and a streamlined aviator design that pairs perfectly with a field jacket and AETHER hiking boots.

$465 at AETHERApparel.com 

Sunski Foxtrot Aviators

The 1970s are the inspiration for these sporty sunglasses, with a tastefully oversized bridge made from super-lightweight, modern recycled materials. They’re also the lightest pair of shades ever made by ultra-affordable brand Sunski, giving you more dough to stock up on cold beers for your next summer road trip or beach day. And at under $70, they’re excellent value.

$68 at BespokePost.com 

BluBlocker Original Aviator Sunglasses

The bold look of Blublocker’s ‘90s aviator has recently come roaring back in a big way, and it doesn’t hurt that these lenses also boast blue light-blocking technology (as the name would imply), in addition to serious UV protection. The frames are also lightweight yet incredibly durable, and the oversized frame design is certainly eye-catching (pun intended).

$61 at BluBlocker.com 

ROKA Phantom Titanium Sunglasses

The craft applied to every pair of ROKA sunglasses is something that has to be seen to be believed, with a precise attention to detail lending itself to modern, long-lasting frames. The frames are impossibly light, made to resist sweat and chemicals, and even athlete-approved. Yet, they can also be customized with an optical prescription, and the design is crisp enough to wear with dressy warm-weather looks.

$290 at ROKA.com 

Fossil Pilot Aviator Sunglasses

Perhaps you already sport a durable Fossil watch on your wrist, so why not opt for some lightweight, agreeably priced frames in a suitably stylish shade of matte silver? Think of them like a grab-and-go addition to your everyday carry, and note the versatile 57mm lens width.

$47.95 at Amazon.com

Maui Jim Seacliff Gunmetal Polarized Sunglasses

Invest in the best with Maui Jim, the iconic eyewear company long-suited for breezy tropical vacations aplenty. These sunglasses will run you more than $300 (buyer beware), but the quality backs up that price, and then some. Note the durable gunmetal frames, handsome contrasting blue polarized lenses and a reinforced top bridge for added durability from sunrise to sunset.

$349 at Amazon.com

Costa Del Mar Polarized Aviator Sunglasses

Add a touch of flair to breezy beachside looks with some vivid aviator frames featuring a striking lens color. Costa Del Mar offers options aplenty for a visually appealing look, and why not have a little fun when dressing for warm weather and tropical occasions, right? We’re especially big fans of the Green Mirrored lenses (which are polarized for an added blend of sun protection and style points).

$234 at Amazon.com

Oakley Contrail Aviator Sunglasses

Oakley built its reputation on durable sport sunglasses made for oft-extreme conditions, and that same design prowess went into this more laidback, lifestyle-oriented pair of some of the best aviator sunglasses on the market. The sleek frames are perfect for off-duty occasions (and perhaps some sunset cocktail sipping), and they boast a traditionally sized 57mm lens width.

$164.52 at Amazon.com

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