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They look flattering on just about anybody. Sports
Wayfarers made sunglasses an essential fashion accessory. Full stop. So many of the coolest guys in history from Bob Dylan to Ryan Gosling—have rocked these iconic shades. Throwing on a pair of wayfarer sunglasses instantly lifts any outfit, in a similar way to loafers and white button-down shirts. Think of it as a super simple fashion hack that ups the “cool factor” to all your looks.
The best wayfarer sunglasses have square-ish lenses with a slightly curved bridge, often angled forward slightly, with temples that wrap around the ear. It's a flattering combo of curved and angular shapes that correspond to the natural lines of the human face. The frames are usually black, tortoise shell, or shades of brown like old-fashioned eyeglasses. Wayfarers have been remixed countless times, but they all still have that deceptively simple design that will always look stylish. When it comes to formal wear, wayfarers look amazing with suits and tuxedos. That makes them a necessity for summer wedding attires, and anyone who has to dress up for the office.
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In some cases, the original will always be the best. Ray-Ban invented the wayfarer back in the 1950s, and the original design is still incredibly stylish. It worked for John Belushi in The Blues Brother, and it will work for you. No matter what outfit you put on, the Original Wayfarer will top it off easily.
A wide range of frame and lens colors are available in the Original Wayfare, but we honestly prefer the old school black the best. For pure versatility, the black is unbeatable. We can't get through wedding season without them.
A favorite of both Steve McQueen and Anthony Bourdain, Persol sunglasses are instantly recognizable by the metal details on the temple that wrap around the frame. These aren't just nice to look at, they are metal inlays that make the frames flexible, adding comfort and preventing breaks. These details, combined with unique shades of warm brown and h0ney yellow, make the Italian sunglass brand one of the most stylish sunnies.
We love Persol's take on wayfarers because they are so distinctively Persol. The frames are incredibly comfortable, with a heft that makes them feel secure. The lenses provide exceptional clarity while still blocking out the sun.
Todd Snyder, one of our favorite menswear brands, teamed up with New York eyewear label Moscot to create an original take on wayfarer sunglasses. The frame is angular and sleek like a sculpture, while the lenses are an aquatic shade of blue for a more formal look. If classic wayfarers are sport coats, the Nomad is a tailored black suit.
There is a heft to these glasses that can only be described as strong, like they're built to last forever. If you have a formal work dress code, then these are the ideal everyday sunglasses. You'll want to wear them on the weekends too.
Raen may not have the heritage of Ray-Ban or Persol, but their sunglasses pack all the same quality. The Adin stays true to the wayfarer tradition while adding some modern flare. A slightly transparent gray-blue front pairs nicely dark tortoise temples, like brown loafers with blue slacks. Polarized lenses equip these shades for long days in the sun.
After ample testing to prove it, we found these to be the perfect beach sunglasses. You need strong lenses and comfy frames to last all day on the ocean. and these wayfarers were up to the challenge. Plus, they look great with swim trunks.
Huckberry sells a ton of excellent sunglasses, but their in-house frames are definitely the best bargain. The design is simple and smooth, built for versatility. For $40 sunglasses, the lenses are great and a little oversized, making them ideal for the kinds of outdoors activities Huckberry was built on. A few color options are available, like classic black and tortoise, but we're partial to the dark translucent yellow.
As one of the top outfitters for the great outdoors, the staff at Huckberry is familiar with the pain of losing and breaking expensive sunglasses. So the affordable price point of these quality shades really softens the blow when you need a new pair.
Even without the iconic "T" design wrapped around the temple, the Morgan would be iconic. Tom Ford has an exceptional eye for detail, and it is on full display here. The angles are perfect, the proportions are slightly oversized in the best way, and the frame is just thick enough to make a statement. The "T" is just icing on the cake.
Tom Ford almost never puts a logo on anything, which is what makes the brand's eyewear so unique. We loved wearing these wayfarers because you can tell when someone else spots the "T" and acknowledges that your sunglasses look pretty cool.
Fort Knocks may be the signature line for Knockaround, but they are still ridiculously affordable, even with polarized lenses. The frame design is near beat for beat with the 1950's original. That creates a perfect foundation for Knockaround to go wild with colors and patterns. The selection styles are massive and always changing. If that isn't enough, you can even customize your own frames.
At $35, you can get a specific color for an event or your favorite team, grab a matching set for your crew, or just splash some color on your summer wardrobe.
Many brands offer folding frame wayfarers, but Uniqlo has the most affordable ones we've tried. The design stays true to the classics and comes in glassy black or tortoise shell. We found these to be the perfect travel sunglasses. Not only does the folding frame store easily and minimize space, but if you lose them—as traveling has a way of doing to your stuff—you won't be putting a dent in your wallet.
For a 1970's retro vibe, there is no better way to go than Gucci. These wayfarer sunglasses are chunky and super fly. The frame is thick, the lenses are big, and the temples are extra extra wide. What you trade off in versatility with these wayfarers, you more than make up for in pure style.
These frames looked great with a boxy camp collar shirt, ideally something with a fun pattern like an aloha shirt. We loved these as summer party glasses, perfect for standing out in a crowd.
Ray-Ban makes a few different folding models of wayfarer sunglasses. This modern update has rounded-off edges and narrow lenses, which makes them even easier to stow away. You get all the style of the Original Wayfarer in a much more travel-friendly package. Slip them in a bag or your pocket to prevent them from getting lost or stolen.
You know those summer days that turn into summer nights without ever stopping back home? The Ray-Ban Folding Wayfarer was made for those occasions.
Walden Eyewear's designs are inspired by nature, which is why their glasses have names like River, Timber, Woods, and Stream. That being said, we found the River to be more than fashionable enough for the city, beach, or anywhere else you want to wear them.
Celine offers a high fashion take on wayfarer sunglasses. Subtle details make all the difference. The lenses are a little boxier, the temples are slightly wider, and the frames are all around thicker and weightier. We suggest these shades for a low-key flex at social events. Those who know will know.
Ask any well-dressed guy who spends a lot of time on the water and he will probably recommend Costa Del Mar sunglasses. The brand is somewhat of a trade secret for sport fishermen and surfers alike. Not only do they look good, every pair is loaded with little features to optimize performance in and around water. The Lido are a super sporty version of wayfarer sunglasses.
Not all Persol sunglasses have it, but the brand is known in part for a distinctive bridge. That unique shape provides enhanced flexibility with an inlaid metal strip. These wayfarer sunglasses have the brand's signature bridge as well as the temple design and amber tortoise shell color.
Wayfarers match the J.Crew's Americana aesthetic perfectly. Some design liberties were taken by curving out the frame shape and making the temple arms a little more slender. We especially like the green tinted lenses. This is a super affordable take on a classic that could easily be your next go-to pair.
Red eyes never looked so good. Converse also made their mark with the brand's star logo placed on the temple. We like these with a dark, monotone outfit or even a black suit.
Clear frames might not be the best everyday pair of sunglasses, but these stellar wayfarers from Garrett Leight are certainly a solid #2 option. The idea behind see-through frames is increasing visibility by eliminating blind spots. However, we think they just look really cool.
Thick, blocky wayfarer sunglasses in glossy black make the statement that you take your eyewear very seriously. Cherry provides a high fashion at an affordable price point. We think it is a great deal for how great these shades look.
Qunice gets all their merchandise produced by the same manufacturers as big name brands. but sells them for a fraction of the price. While the names of the brands and manufacturers are kept secret, we are willing to bet this one is a certain Italian brand synonymous with sunglasses.
The lenses are exceptionally boxy on the Weekend Riot wayfarer sunglasses for an edgy look that plays nice with narrower faces and longer haircuts. Best of all, Le Specs are more affordable than they look.
Brad is a contributing style commerce editor. After a decade working for menswear brands including J.Crew and Ralph Lauren, Brad switched from selling fashion to writing about it. His words have appeared in Huckberry, Heddels, and The Manual.
Christian Gollayan oversees e-commerce content for Men's Health and Women's Health. Previously, he was the Associate Managing Editor at TheManual.com. Christian's work has also been featured in Food & Wine, InStyle, the New York Post, and Tatler Asia.
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