Aviator Sunglasses – A Complete Guide
November 5, 2026 | FashionAviator sunglasses
Aviator sunglasses are more fashionable than ever and can now be found in almost every brand’s collection. At the same time, the wide range on offer makes choosing harder than before, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the different styles and designs.
In this blog post, I thought I’d highlight different styles and popular models, as well as a few of my personal favourites. To understand why aviator sunglasses look the way they do today, let’s start with a bit of history.
If you’d rather skip between sections, use the quick links below:
- The history of aviator sunglasses
- Trendy aviator sunglasses
- Pilot sunglasses for women
- Men’s aviator sunglasses
- Luxury aviator sunglasses
- Affordable pilot goggles
- Classic aviator sunglasses
- Things to bear in mind with glass
- Inspiration
The history of aviator sunglasses
During the 1930s, aeroplanes became faster and were able to fly higher and higher. This placed new demands on pilots, not least when it came to protection against strong sunlight. The solution was the teardrop-shaped design with large windows, developed to provide maximum coverage and reduce glare.
One of the best-known early models was launched in 1937, when Ray-Ban unveiled its Aviator. The design was clearly functional and quickly became a staple amongst pilots.
If you’ve seen films or documentaries about the Second World War, this style will be instantly recognisable. General Douglas MacArthur is one of the figures most often associated with aviator sunglasses, and he helped to give them a distinctive visual identity even outside the world of aviation.
Over the years, interest has come and gone in waves. In the 1970s, aviator sunglasses enjoyed a distinct resurgence in popularity, featuring larger lenses, more pronounced shapes and tinted lenses. It is a style that many still associate with that period and which is often seen in films from the same era.
When it comes to the film’s influence, it’s hard to overlook *Top Gun*. Few films have had such a profound impact on a particular style of sunglasses. Pilot sunglasses became almost synonymous with the film, and many people simply wanted their own pair of *Top Gun* sunglasses.
These days, there are loads of different pilot models, and that’s where we’re going to pick up the thread and take a closer look at the various styles and a few favourites in each category.
Trendy aviator sunglasses
It would have been most natural to continue with classic aviator sunglasses here, but we’re not quite there yet. It’s just as interesting to see how the aviator style has evolved and what variations are available today.
Cutler and Gross CG1394
The CG1394 is one of our most popular aviator styles and is available in two sizes and a range of colours. The style is available as both sunglasses and prescription glasses. It features a more pronounced and slightly square aviator frame that looks particularly good with lightly gradient-tinted lenses. The model’s popularity is clearly linked to the trend for coloured or tinted lenses; in this context, a slightly bolder frame works very well. This is definitely one of my personal favourites.
Cutler and Gross x The Great Frog Bowie Rectangle Sun
This model serves as a clear counterpoint to the more pronounced acetate frame shown above. Here, instead, we have a thinner titanium frame and a more rectangular take on the aviator shape. We’re generally seeing frames becoming narrower and more elongated, and this trend extends to aviator sunglasses too. This is a limited-edition model, developed in collaboration with the jewellery brand The Great Frog. Handcrafted jewellery details on the frame give the model a more exclusive look, whilst the shape adds a distinct edge.
Pilot sunglasses for women
There are few styles of glasses that are as unisex as aviator sunglasses. Personally, I think a pair of aviator sunglasses can look absolutely stunning on a girl; they can give her a lovely, confident edge. In the photo above, my colleague Bina is wearing a pair of Dior Botanica with a gradient tint in black. Aren’t they lovely?
A few other models worth taking a closer look at:
Celine CL50168I
Saint Laurent SL545
Mykita Gylfie
Men’s aviator sunglasses
Tom Ford aviator sunglasses are always on-trend for men. Their collections feature many classically stylish designs. The German brand Mykita has also long been renowned for its aviator sunglasses, and the Kami model pictured here is no exception. At Moscot, we find the popular Bjorn model, available in various sizes and colours. We have a wide range in stock, and whether you’re looking for black acetate aviators, a more colourful model or one in gold, there are plenty of options. A good first step is to think about the style of the aviator frame. Do you want something slim and understated, or a more pronounced shape? Does a classic metal frame feel right, or do you prefer the look of acetate?
Tom Ford FT5874-B
Mykita Kami
Moscot Bjorn
Luxury aviator sunglasses
For those of you looking for something out of the ordinary, there are also more exclusive options. The French luxury brand John Dalia produces very elegant sunglasses that can just as easily be worn as ordinary glasses. The collaboration between Cutler and Gross and The Great Frog also features several aviator styles with handcrafted details and a clear focus on craftsmanship.
John Dalia Akira
John Dalia Kai
Cutler and Gross x The Great Frog Idol Aviator Sunglasses
Cutler and Gross x The Great Frog Richards Rectangle Sunglasses
Affordable pilot goggles
If you want to keep costs down, Metro Folk is a very good option. It’s a well-made acetate frame that suits many different face shapes. In the photos above, my colleagues Linn and Ida are wearing the Metro Folk model. Linn (left) is wearing a transparent beige pair with a pink tint, and Ida (right) is wearing a grey pair with a black tint. Two different looks, achieved through different frame and lens colours. I’m grateful that the girls agreed to be photographed so that you could see the difference.
If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a metal frame, Metro Bikt might be worth a closer look. A minimalist, clean-lined design with adjustable nose pads. Both models work brilliantly with tinted lenses, just like many other pilot sunglasses. Metro is a Swedish brand that focuses on producing affordable frames, and at 1,490 SEK, it’s hard to find anything better value for money.
Classic aviator sunglasses
Of course, we mustn’t forget the classic metal pilot-style frames. Swiss brand Götti has a very lightweight and comfortable model called Gerard. It’s made from titanium and features adjustable nose pads. Even the major fashion houses offer pilot-style models, and for those who find the Götti Gerard a little too minimalist, the Gucci GG1679O could be an alternative.
Things to bear in mind regarding ground lenses and prescriptions
Many pilot-style glasses are available as both sunglasses and ordinary glasses. That’s hardly surprising, as it’s a style that works well in both contexts. For you as a customer, this means you have an incredible range of choices when it comes to colours and styles. We often fit tinted lenses or colour-changing lenses into aviator styles, but we also do the reverse when converting sunglasses into ordinary glasses. Sometimes a customer might choose to retain a slight tint in the lenses, whilst in other cases they’re looking for clear lenses. If you do need prescription lenses, you have every opportunity in the world to influence their appearance. I’d like to take this opportunity to give a shout-out to Åsa’s blog post about tinted glasses.
When it comes to prescription strengths, it’s worth giving it a bit of thought. Pilot-style frames generally have quite large lenses, which can make it difficult to achieve a stylish look if you have a high prescription. Personally, I feel half-blind without my glasses, and my prescription means the lenses tend to be thick around the edges. In that case, you have to opt for lenses with a higher refractive index (1.67 in my case), which makes them lighter and thinner. If that isn’t enough, you’ll have to look at a model with slightly smaller lenses, which has happened to me several times. It’s always a bit of a let-down when you think you’ve found the perfect model. My advice here is simply to consult one of our opticians – they know exactly what they’re doing.
Inspiration
Of course, it’s always nice to get a bit of inspiration – you pick up some new ideas and see what’s looked good on someone else. We make an incredible number of stylish aviator sunglasses and try to keep our Instagram account (Hultins Optik) up to date. We hope you find it a good source of inspiration. Please do pop over and follow us if you haven’t already.