10 things you didn't know about Ray Bans...
Since the founding of the brand in 1936, Ray Bans have become one of the most recognisable styles of eyewear, worn by everyone from presidents to film stars. Their durable yet polished and stylish designs are universally popular and lay testament to the brand’s dedication to creating timeless classics.
1. The idea for aviator sunglasses first began when General John MacCready permanently damaged his eyes during a high altitude flight. He realised sunglasses designed specifically for this purpose were needed.
2. The trademark aviator style Ray Bans were originally worn by US fighter pilots during the war (hence ‘aviator’) but the style gained popularity when General McArthur was photographed with US army soldiers wearing the frames during World War II.
3. Ray Ban wayfarers hold the biggest selling record in history.
4. Tom Cruise has become known as the classic figure of Ray Bans since his roles as Maverick in Top Gun and Joel Goodson in Risky Business.
5. Between the years 1982 and 1987, Ray-Ban sunglasses appeared in over 60 movies and television shows per year.
6. In 1983, the company sold 360,000 pairs of Wayfarers.
7. The original Ray Ban wayfarer sunglasses were designed to be worn by men but thanks to films like Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffanys, their target market expanded to include women.
8. Ray Bans are the designer brand of choice for celebrities including Robert Pattinson, Beyonce, Jessica Alba, Jonny Depp, Jake Gyllenhaal and many many more.
9. Ray Ban’s earliest frames were called ‘Shooters’ and were originally designed for sportsmen with a metal frame engineered to enhance the performance of people interested in hunting and fishing.
10. Ray Ban even has a junior range for children aged 5-12 with the classic styles tailored for young heads.
At Direct Sight, we stock a wide range of Ray Ban sunglasses, from the classic wayfarer to aviator frames with different lens options. Your favourite design can be tailored to suit your prescription, meaning your Ray Bans can be worn every day, in any conditions.