Aviator sunglasses ooze masculinity. They are worn by brave men the world over. Decades before Top Gun ever aired, pilots, wore them for necessity. Trained to kill and fighting in the baking Pacific, they needed sunglasses that were comfortable and functional. What they got was much, much more.

Aviators were designed in 1936 by Ray-Ban and they are still the name most associated with them. At the time, Ray-Ban made the goggles for the US Air Force and, with pilots requesting a good pair of sunglasses that would cancel out the sun’s harsh glare, they duly delivered what has later become one of the most recognisable fashion accessories of all time. They are perfectly created for the job in hand; 2-3 times the size of the eye socket and polarized to reduce glare, they did everything that was required of them. In the fires of war, heroes are forged. In World War Two these heroes looked good. 

Over forty years before the fictional, Maverick of Top Gun made aviators into the fashion item they are today, a real-life American maverick by the name of General Douglas MacArthur wore them in one of the most iconic images WW2. In 1942 the Japanese had sent him packing from the Philippines in what was a devastating loss to the Allied cause. He had vowed to return. Two years later, after a bitter struggle, Douglas MacArthur did indeed return. Wearing his aviators, he is seen striding through the shallow waters of the Filipino shore, finally laying to rest his humiliating retreat. He was the returning hero of countless legends. Instantly, aviators become a symbol of strength, heroism and victory.

Our favourites around at the moment are these gorgeous — Metal rimmed, specially polarized, and mirrored — these are the real deal. For authenticity, RayBan really are the only brand to go for. You can find the full range here.

Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer have since cemented aviators as timeless accessories. Anyone wanting to look as cool as ice needs them. Whether for cruising in the car, lying on the beach or fighting for your life in the battlefield-blue, equip yourselves with a pair of aviators – sunglasses designed for the best of the best.

Not much in fashion can be considered timeless, but Aviator shades, we'd wager,  will be around  as long as the sun shines.

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