As a fashion editor and stylist, I own over 100 pairs of sunglasses, but there's one style that I keep coming back to, and it's this classic shape. So if you're looking to invest in a pair of the best sunglasses, make your next purchase a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers.
First born in 1952 and almost discontinued in the 1970s due to the popularity of oversized styles, the Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses gained popularity again in the 1980s after appearing in a string of Hollywood films, including The Blues Brothers, Risky Business and The Breakfast Club. More recent fans of this timeless style include none other than the Princess of Wales, who owns several variations on the Wayfarer design.
This timeless frame frequently appears not only amongst the top sunglasses trends, but the heritage shape has also been named as a key frame when it comes to eyeglasses trends 2025.
Price: from £155
Size range: Average, Wide Fit
Bridge and Nosepads: High Bridge Fit
Material: Acetate
The unisex frame works on virtually every face shape, and I've worn my pairs with a variety of outfits. From teaming them with my favourite women's trouser suits for the office to accessorising my best wedding guest dresses with a pair, Ray-Ban Wayfarers are a key component of my summer capsule wardrobe and beyond.
If you want to invest in a classic colour combination, Ray-Ban Wayfarers in Havana tortoiseshell with green lenses are a popular choice due to the warming nature of the tortoiseshell frame.
The brand also has a selection of alternative colours, and quirky collaborations have seen the style take on a range of fun features over the years, including the iconic London tube map, a puffy frame from their collaboration with rapper A$AP Rocky and now you can even use them as a camera after their recent collaboration with Meta.
Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses Review: Style & Fit
One of the reasons Ray-Ban Wayfarers are so popular is their universally flattering frame. With a squared-off shape, the slightly masculine frame suits both men and women, and can also help with sharpening softer facial features such as jawlines and cheekbones, thanks to the straight lines. The frame itself also has a pantoscopic tilt - meaning that it tilts slightly forward - and sits away from the brow bone, creating a flattering retro look.
Available in two widths, most people find the original size, 50mm, to be an ideal fit, although if you have a wider face, you may find the 54mm to be more comfortable. Despite having a wide face, over the years (and over several pairs), I've found that the original size is the perfect fit.
Sitting high on the bridge of the nose, they also stay in place remarkably well, no doubt partly thanks to the fact that, despite the frames being substantial, they are not heavy when compared to other pairs of sunglasses in my collection, making them ideal if you're wondering what to wear in the heat.
Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses Review: Function & Technology
All Ray-Ban sunglasses come with a UV rating of UV400, offering 100% total protection for your eyes as standard. In the customisation options, you can also choose to add polarised lenses, which will reduce the glare and reflection from surfaces. This feature is particularly useful if you're spending a lot of time outside or around reflective surfaces such as the sea - if you're heading to a sunshine break this summer, add a pair to your holiday outfit ideas immediately.
Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses Review: Value
With prices starting from £155 depending on your preferred colour combination, Ray-Ban Wayfarers are definitely an investment purchase, but one that I have made again and again, whether I'm purchasing a new colourway or replacing my favourite lost pairs.
As someone who wears sunglasses every day thanks to my sensitive eyes, I find a good pair of sunglasses and the protection that they afford to be very much worth the price tag. I find that my favourite green lenses are dark enough for even the brightest of days without being too much for darker, overcast days
The classic style means that they work with my summer capsule wardrobe and beyond - I wear a pair year-round and have teamed them with everything from my favourite floral frocks and summer work outfits to cosy coats and woolly hats in winter.
Shop More Colours
Tortoiseshell sunglasses frames are one of the most flattering colours as the brown and golden hues will add warmth to every skin tone, making them a year-round option.
Running low on space in your favourite designer handbag? Ray-Ban have got you covered with this genius update that fold down to 50% of the size of a regular pair.
If you're looking for a quirky twist on a classic, why not go for a coloured frame? This pale grey translucent frame is a cool update on the traditional Ray-Ban Wayfarer.
Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses Review: Verdict
Although the price tag might seem steep for a pair of sunglasses, once you factor in not only the cost-per-wear as well as the quality of both the frames and lenses, there's really no other pair of sunglasses that match this particular style of sunglasses.
The timeless and versatile style of Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses is also something to consider - around since the 1950s, this style hasn't dated and has been seen on a range of celebrities and trendsetters over the years.
Often imitated but never outshone, as someone who owns over a hundred pairs of both designer and high street sunglasses, the Ray-Ban Wayfarer can't be beaten when it comes to the crown of best sunglasses.
