Buying Guide: Ray-Ban Sunglasses
Well known for their classic Americana style, Ray-Ban sunglasses remain a perineal eyewear favourite. Originally made for the military in the 1930s, these iconic designer sunglasses continue to stand the test of time.
Ray-Ban’s distinct and game-changing styles have been spotted on celebrity royalty all the way from the 1950s to today. Including James Dean, Audrey Hepburn, George Clooney, Lou Reed, and Buddy Holly to name a few. In this buying guide, we’ll cover everything from the options available, how to measure your face for a pair, and how to know if they’re authentic. Let’s begin!
Which Ray-Ban Sunglasses to Buy
Ray-Ban sunglasses are striking and instantly recognisable. Today, you’ll find modern takes on the styles that made them famous, along with the classic designs themselves. Which one to buy all depends on your personal taste and style. However, all of them are easy-to-wear and suit a wide range of face shapes. It’s one of the main reasons they continue to endure! Ray-Ban has an exhaustive list of styles, so we’ll be covering some of their most popular and recognisable options.
Firstly, the Aviators. The original design from Ray-Ban (then Bausch and Lomb), these offer a classic and smart military look. Think Top Gun. They’re extremely easy to wear, and recogniseable for their tear-drop design and slim frames. This style was first designed in the late thirties for fighter pilots, protecting their eyes from the sun’s glare.
Next, Wayfarers. 50s style at it’s best, you can recognise this design with their slanting, rectangular shaped frames. The refreshed New Wayfarers design takes this original blue-print and makes it a little softer. You’ll find rounded edges and a softer slant. Wayfarers are available in a wide range of versatile colours.
Last in the Ray-Ban top hits are the Clubmasters. These mid-century frames have a thick browline paired with slimmer frames. This contrast creates an effortless look worthy of Don Draper and the whole Mad Men ensemble.
What are the Ray-Ban Style Sunglasses Called?
As we’ve covered, the famous styles are aviators, wayfarers and clubmasters. However, these aren’t all that are available! Other Ray-Ban styles include Caravan, The Marshall, and Square. You can check these out over at our Ray-Ban edit.
How to Measure for Ray-Ban Sunglasses
Ray-Ban sunglasses are unique in that they offer different frame sizes. These sizes come in millimetres, and are based on measurements of the lenses. This is typically between 50 and 58mm. Do note that not all Ray-Ban glasses come in multiple sizes - it differs from model to model.
Measuring for Ray-Bans is a straight-forward process. Take a credit card, and place it on the inside of your nose under your eye. You want it to be portrait (with the smallest side under your eye), rather than landscape. If the corner of the card finishes right at the corner of your eye, go for a smaller size. If it just goes past the corner, go for a medium. And if it’s way past your eye corner, go for a larger size.
Note that Ray-Ban designs may also be described as narrow, regular or wide fit. This is all to do with how much facial coverage they offer, rather than precise frame measurements. Think of this as more to do with aesthetics, rather than fit.
Sizes for Ray-Ban sunglasses can be found in product descriptions and accompanying official paperwork. Here, you’ll find three numbers in millimetres. The first of these numbers refers to the lens width (how wide it goes out), the second is the width of the nose bridge (the thin part in the middle that holds the lenses together) and the third is the length of the temples (also known as the arms). You might also see a fourth measurement, which is lens height.
How to Know Authentic Ray-Ban Sunglasses
To ensure you’re getting original Ray-Ban sunglasses, there are a few things to look out for. Rest assured, any Ray-Bans sold by us are 100% authentic.
Your Ray-Bans should come in a branded retail box. The print quality should be high and not pixelated.
Details on this packaging should match up with the model you have. The packaging should also have a white sticker with the correct info. This includes a barcode, model name, manufacturer information, model and lens type. You’ll want to check that this is all spelt correctly and matches up with official Ray-Ban details.
Your Ray-Bans should come with an official booklet. Like any paperwork you receive, double check that the spelling, font, spacing and alignment is all correct.
Ray-Ban sunglasses should come in a black or brown leather protective case. This should have a popper stud that has the Ray-Ban engraved in the centre of it. The case should also have a stamp-design, matte logo that doesn’t scratch off. Again, check the logo is spelt correctly and has trademark registration details (along with two stars). This case should be high quality, with no traces of glue or fraying.
You should also find a branded cleaning cloth too. And yes, double check the logo, spelling and spacing on this too!
Your Ray-Ban frames should have a smooth, high quality finish. If you run your fingers along them, they shouldn’t feel rough at all.
Your sunglasses should have ‘RB’ etched into the corner of the left lens, next to the hinge. This should not be printed on or easy to scratch off. Note that any models before the year 2000 will have ‘BL’ (Bausch & Lomb) instead.
Polarised lenses will have ‘Ray-Ban P’ etched into one of the corners.
There should also be ‘Ray-Ban’ on the top corner of the right lens. This should not flake off. You know the drill - check spelling, font, and spacing.
Nose pads will have ‘RB’ engraved into the metal that connects them to the frames. The nose pads themselves should be clear or a very pale, translucent peach.
The left temple of the frame should have a serial number etched in, starting with ‘RB’. Check that this serial number is not wonky, and matches the rest of the paperwork you have received.
The right temple should have "Made in Italy" and include a CE or UKCA mark etched in. Look out for potential wonkiness, spelling mistakes, and inaccurate information.
Note that new Aviator glasses should have a lens sticker on them. Like above, check the logo, spelling, spacing, and trademark information is all correct.