Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Autopilots: Our Top 10 Aviator shades

Aviator sunglasses: It’s not a case of them being back today because they’ve literally never had a bad landing since they arrived – perfectly on time – in 1936 when eyeglass manufacturer Bausch & Lomb introduced them to get-the-sun-outta-my-eyes pilots in the armed forces.

These sunglasses’ very eclectic path into men’s fashion iconography/history ranges from General Douglas MacArthur wearing them as he stormed the beaches in WWII to the 1980s’ favorite Toms – Selleck and Cruise respectively – donning them in “Magnum, P.I.” and “Top Gun.”

Recommended Videos

And although the general public’s love for the above-mentioned trio may have faded quite a bit since, the eyewear they totally rocked at the time has not. Aviator-style sunglasses are indeed eyewear that isn’t flying off the radar any time soon.

So consider these 10 Aviator shades – in a wide range of prices – that will accentuate your face and make you feel like a badass controller of your life’s current (or next) destination….

AB
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Aviator Sunglasses by Abercrombie & Fitch, $48

Barl
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Hawkeye Square Navigator Sunglasses by Barton Perreira, $445

Dita-con
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Condor by Dita, $395

Dita
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Mach-Two by Dita, $700

Ray-ban
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Original Aviator by Ray-Ban, $150

Shwoo
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Medford by Shwood, $189

Sunday
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Parker by Sunday Somewhere, $370

Thom-Browne
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Aviator Sunglasses by Thom Browne, $675

Toms-M-not-401
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Maverick 401 by TOMS, $159

Warby-Parker
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Dempsey by Warby Parker, from $145

Christopher Blomquist
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Christopher is a native New Yorker who lives and works (mostly) in Manhattan. A longtime fashion journalist, he served as…
Caterpillar celebrates a century of building the world with CAT Centennial collection
CAT Apparel has been the go-to for the hardest working people for 100 years, now they celebrate it
CAT Centennial navy tee

Men have been building the world since the industrialized society took hold and grew to encompass empires. Everything from the pyramids to skyscrapers is the product of ingenuity and grit, all on the backs of the hardest-working men in the world. Since 1925, they have been one of the leading manufacturers of heavy equipment across the globe. From defense work and engines in World War II to building every major city in America, they are a name every engineer and construction company trusts. Because of that, the name expanded to workwear, becoming one of the first names you see on the men and women actually building the structures we use every single day. To celebrate the 100th anniversary, the brand launched the Caterpillar Centennial Collection, a number of items including graphic tees and articles inspired by the very machines that inspired them. Whether you follow the trends and want to embrace the workwear aesthetic or you are a fan of the brand, these are the perfect fit.

Pieces inspired by classic machines from Caterpillar

Read more
Wax London believes polos shouldn’t be boring
Get creative with your polos with Wax London
Wax London polo black floral

The men's polo is one of the staple shirts every man needs. It is something that has endured since the days of LaCoste wearing them on the tennis courts. Nowadays, it is the paramount piece for any man looking to wear a basic business casual wardrobe. Of course, that doesn't mean it has to be basic. Most men tend to opt for a solid golf polo and a pair of basic chinos, paired with a hybrid dress shoe. While that has led the polo down a path to gaining a dad shirt image, that doesn't mean it needs to stay there. Wax London is one of the leaders in making everyone, from celebrities to dads, look stylish, and they don't think a polo needs to be boring or basic. Instead, Wax London polos this season emphasize patterns, standing out, and being seen as a celebrity, even if you're just a dad.

Wearing the polo like a celebrity

Read more
Now is the perfect time to layer with UNTUCKit spring pieces
The spring collection for UNTUCKit is stocked with seasonal pieces
UNTUCKit quarter-zip

As the April showers come to a close, the May flowers will be in full bloom. While that sounds like a great time of year (unless, of course, you struggle with allergies), there is one thing that stubbornly sticks around this time of year, especially if you are north of the Mason-Dixon Line, and that is the cold snaps. The unpredictability of the spring means you are bound to have those days where you are a bit chilly in the morning and a little warm in the afternoon. The best way to combat this little problem is with the subtle art of layering. UNTUCKit is known for creating some of the most comfortable shirts of the last decade and a half, and they have released a spring collection that makes layering the simplest it's ever been.

Layering made simple

Read more