By: Ask Bill
Submitted: 2009-11-05 11:12:37 | Word Count: 525
Move over General MacArthur (and Lindsay Lohan): it's your turn to sport aviator glasses, and wear them in a way that won't soon be forgotten! Super stylish and seriously fun, we love that these glasses are back. Sexy and cool, their slightly over sized, rounded rims definitely do the trick when it comes to taking on sunny days in style. Before we dive into some of the latest, hottest trends and takes on classic aviator glasses, let's take a quick look at where they came from, who wore them first, and why it is that these shades rock a little harder than any of the other sunny day options.
Let's start off with a little bit about these super chic "pilot shades." First invented by Ray-Ban, these characteristically dark (often reflective) glasses sit at about two to three times the size of your eye socket, and generally boast metal frames with either paddles or wire temples that hook around behind the ears. Originally given their name for their oblique teardrop-like shape, they were initially sold in bulk by Ray-Ban to the Army and Navy. And, their original need (perhaps) arose from pilot's looking for aviator glasses for optimum sun and glare protection during daytime dogfights, in an effort to reduce the amount of glare. The idea being that the over sized lens, which bulges out slightly will deflect the maximum sunlight and was intended for exposure in open fire. However, leading knowledge presides that pilots of that time did not actually wear glasses while flying.
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Regardless, the style took off in the 60s, and has had a recent re-emergence over the past couple of years. With huge celebrities, like Michael Jackson, and (of course) Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer in Top Gun, this look flew straight to the top. But, the real kick that aviators got comes from the infamous image of General MacArthur landing on the beach in the Philippines in World War II. Its unique, utilitarian origins unexpectedly blossomed into a seriously cool fashion trend that has come around again. And, what could be more fun than re instituting a fashion symbol in a new and funky way?
We've gathered some of the hottest picks--whether traditional representations from Ray Ban themselves, or modern twists by hot brands, we've got a little something for everyone in this extra American sunglass trend. Starting off with none other than Ray-Ban's 'Small Metal Glasses,' this number one aviator glasses seller boasts fifty-eight milimeter lenses and extra sporty, thin metal frames. Constructed in Italy, it just doesn't get much better than this if you're looking for a true-to-form pair or aviator sunglasses. Coming in at $129, there isn't anything shady about this top-notch pair of shades.
For those of you who are looking to retain the basic shape defined by MacArthur, but want a modern twist, look to Blue Crown's 'Plastic Aviator Sunglasses' for an affordable take on this classic. For just $12.00, you can nab a pair boasting the traditional teardrop shape, supported with plastic frames and contrast arms. Plus, its gradating lenses provide one hundred percent UV protection.
