Sunglasses for the Fashionable Man

There has been a huge resurgence in men's sunglasses in the past few years, reviving classic styles that had been set aside by many in favor of a line of sunglasses that were all mostly based on Oakley shapes and style.  That's not to say that many of these styles aren't high quality (though there are thousands of fakes out there) or that there aren't good uses for them, but a pair of sunglasses that were originally designed for motocross or BMX riders simply aren't something you're going to want to top off your classic style with.  Let's take a look at a few fashionable sunglasses that are great for the office or the weekend.

The Wayfarer

Though many will make an argument for the Aviator, I believe the Wayfarer is the quintessential classic frame. Originally designed in 1952 by optical designer Raymond Stegeman for Ray-Ban, the Wayfarer has come in and out of style but has always been embraced by those who avoid the trends and embrace timeless fashion. The great news is that today they are very much in fashion and there are a huge variety of colors, frame sizes and variations so you should have no problem finding the perfect pair for you.  I recommend a classic black for your frames, you'll keep them casual enough for the beach but professional enough to wear on the way to the office.

Ray-Ban Wayfarers

The Clubmaster

A variation on the Wayfarer, the Clubmaster has a trimmed down frame and more accents which make more of a statement than the Wayfarer. I recommend getting the Clubmaster in a tortoise shell frame, the pattern can be overwhelming with some other frames but with the additions of the metal accents it is very subtle and has an understated class to it.

Ray-Ban Clubmasters

The Aviator

Worn by many, worn well by few, the Aviator has so many variations on the original design that many people don't understand how great these sunglasses can look on anyone.  Make sure that you find a pair that frames your face well, they should not stick out too far from the sides and should not push down on your cheeks (you don't want to look like the Unabomber.)  Try several pairs on and see how they look, this is one frame that is truly easy to mess up but it looks amazing when it's done right.

Ray-Ban Aviators

If you're still wondering whether you should switch off the wraparound style glasses, just check out these pictures here at GQ.  I think it's easy to see how much better you're going to look in a pair of classic sunglasses.  I know I listed Ray-Ban as the only manufacturer here, but that is simply because everyone else is simply replicating these styles.  Feel free to try any brand you like, but understand that Ray-Ban is the originator.

Thanks for reading.  As always, be dapper.