Wayfarer™ Sunglasses: A Timeless Style Now Made With Wood
In the world of sunglasses, Wayfarers™ are arguably the best-selling design ever, although fans of Aviators may cite a different story. In your search for wood sunglasses for men, this is a design you can’t pass by. You’ve probably seen it dozens of times in movies and TV shows but just weren’t aware of it. here’s a brief history of the design, as well as a few fun facts.
Innovation in the Redesign of Sunglasses
Thought up in the 1950s, the designer of the first Wayfarers™ was looking to get away from metal frames. The original design, hailed by some as masculine, soon caught on with a loyal crowd. Sales of these shades were very good, for a while.
Fashion fads come and go, as we all know, and the Wayfarers have been no different. The important thing is they’ve always found a way to come back. In the ‘70s sales went down, but then in the early ‘80s Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi were so charismatic in how they wore Wayfarers™ that sales immediately went back up.
Later, after several companies introduced sports sunglasses and wraparounds, Wayfarers lost popularity again – but thanks to a revival of ‘80s fashion in the early 2000s, Wayfarers™ weren’t down for very long. Since then, companies have made various versions of the classic frames, venturing eventually into making Wayfarers not just from plastic, but from wood as well.
Popular With the Stars
Looking into who’s been seen wearing Wayfarers™ , it’s almost hard to find a famous name who hasn’t fancied them. The list is long and includes names like James Dean, John F. Kennedy, Muhammad Ali, Andy Warhol, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and even Edward Cullen of Twilight fame. Even John Lennon wore them before switching to his now famous teashades.
Appearances of Wayfarers™ include (but are certainly not limited to):
- Leonardo DiCaprio in Wolf of Wall Street
- Madonna in Desperately Seeking Susan
- Tom Cruise in Risky Business
- Tom Ford in his portrayals of James Bond
- Various characters in the TV drama Miami Vice
Making a Statement with Timeless Style
Now commonly associated with timeless style, virtually every sunglasses company has taken advantage of this design’s popularity to include them in their sales catalogs. With each adoption has come various unique takes on the classic design. So with the variation that exists, what exactly is it that defines this design? It’s a trapezoidal frame with thicker rims. Rather versatile, Wayfarers™ look great on faces that are diamond, oval, oblong and round.
After reading through the list of celebrity names associated with this design, it might be a bit harder to resist getting yourself a pair. I know it was for me. And here’s a pro tip: since sunglasses sales tend to be slower in late fall and winter, for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere, this may actually be the perfect time to get a great deal on your new favorite shades. You’ll be sure to find a color ideal for your skin tone, and with EarthShade you get many different classic style choices and each pair sold also comes with a bamboo case, microfiber pouch, microfiber cleaning cloth and free straps. All lenses are polarized and come with UV 400 protection, meaning your eyes will be well taken care of with these shades. The creation of different wood types and colors is almost endless and you can find one perfect for your personality that will stand out in the crowd all at an affordable cost.
Perfect for your daily drive, boating on the lake, or skiing on the slopes, EarthShade’s designs will take good care of your eyes wherever you go. Ideal for avid travelers, they’ll help make sure you don’t miss any of the sites around the world you’ve spent so much money and time planning to see. These shades are also unisex, meaning each pair looks great on men and women, and stainless steel flex hinges accommodate a variety of face sizes and shapes. More versatile than the original Wayfarers™, these glasses make a great purchase for yourself, or even a perfect holiday gift for your friends and family.
Who knows what the next evolution of Classic designs will be, but maybe the versions made out of wood will even show up in your next favorite movie. Even if they don’t, it’s refreshing to see makers of this design moving towards more eco-friendly designs. These are shades that won’t hurt your nose or leave a tacky mark on the bridge of your nose if you wear them all day. Since wood is a renewable resource and decomposes easily, these sunglasses are a more eco-friendly, responsible choice. You still get the classic style of cool, some with the option of smoked lenses to add a sense of mystery.
Disclaimer: Wayfarer™ is trademark of Luxottica Group Spa and earthshade in no way sells, represents or pretends to sell it's trademarked products.