10 best aviator sunglasses UK 2023 including Ray-Ban, Quay and Randolph
THERE’S something just so effortlessly cool about aviators.
The classic sunglasses style has been around for decades; first designed for pilots in order to protect their eyes from the sun while in the air, aviators quickly became a popular choice for the rest of us thanks to their flattering shape, stylish metal frames and ability to go with practically anything.
Aviators have proven popular with many of the world’s most stylish men, and both cinema and the silver screen have made use of the style’s effortless look. Whether you’re after a classic gold frame and green lens pair, or something more sleek and minimal in the form of black-on-black aviators, you need not look any further. Here’s all you need to know about these iconic shades.
What are aviators?
Aviators are defined by their classic shape, as well as the familiar use of metal for the thin frames. The style was first designed for pilots who needed relatively large sunglasses, which offered good coverage and protection from the harsh rays of the sun. That’s why aviators have their distinct pear-drop shape – it was designed to stop as much light getting through as possible, reducing glare for pilots, both commercial and in the military. Traditional aviators come with gold frames and green lenses, giving them a classic look and one that’s been worn by everyone, from Top Gun’s Maverick through to Mad Men’s Don Draper. If you’re looking for a pair of timeless shades you can practically wear with everything, you could do far worse than invest in a pair of aviators.
Best aviator sunglasses at a glance
- Best value: ANYLUV Pilot Sunglasses
- Best budget: Slazenger Aviator Sunglasses
- Best luxury: Randolph Concorde Sunglasses
- Best minimal option: CO Optical Benedict
- Best statement: Ray-Ban Men’s Aviator Sunglasses RB3293
ANYLUV Pilot Sunglasses
- ANYLUV Pilot Sunglasses, £16.99 from Amazon – buy here
A classic pair of aviators, this Anyluv design has all the hallmarks that made them so popular in the first place. There are the large pear-shaped lenses which come in a versatile brown; the thin gold frames and tipped ends, and the thin wire bridge and adjustable nose pads for added comfort.
Easy to dress up or down, this pair offers impressive UVA protection, ensuring your eyes stay protected, while the vintage-inspired design will look effortlessly cool whether you wear them with dark blue jeans and a T-shirt, or combine them with tailoring.
Kunchu Pilot Polarised Sunglasses
- kunchu Pilot Polarised Sunglasses, £7.99 from Amazon – buy here
A slightly more minimal take thanks to their sleek colour palette, this Kunchu pair makes use of a tonal black-on-black design, with dark smoked lenses and solid black frames and plastic ends. Perfect for dark monochrome outfits, this is the kind of pair that combines well with workwear, leather jackets or even unstructured suits in the summer.
Coming with polarised lenses that also happen to offer UVA protection, this incredibly affordable pair offers great value for money. Try them with black jeans, and a matching denim jacket and finish with black boots for a rugged take on classic Americana.
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Ray Ban Aviator Sunglasses Classic
- Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses Classic, £147 from Ray-Ban – buy here
Ray-Ban practically owns the aviator style, having originally designed them for US pilots in 1937. The brand’s distinctive frames are well executed here, with matte transparent green lenses, gunmetal grey frames and subtle black tortoiseshell ends.
Randolph Concorde Sunglasses
- Randolph Concorde Sunglasses Matt Black, £255 from Randolph – buy here
Randolph is also up there with the best though, having produced its own aviators for decades. Each pair is handmade in the USA, with over 200 steps making it a particularly arduous process for its skilled artisans. This pair comes in a beautiful tonal black finish and promises to flatter virtually all skin types and face shapes.
Sungait Men’s Military Sunglasses
- Sungait Men’s Military Sunglasses, £17.99 from Amazon – buy here
These Sungait aviators have a fairly exceptional rating on Amazon. The 4.5-star rating has been achieved with over 9,400 reviews, making them one of the highest-ranked aviators online. They’re finished in a squarer shape that’s reminiscent of mid-century, US military-issued glasses, while the dark brown lenses offer a distinctly vintage feel.
CO Optical Benedict 2042
- CO Optical Benedict 2042, £27.50 down from £54.95 from Mister Spex – buy here
Offering a rounder style than typical aviator shades, this pair by CO Optical comes with smaller lenses and a chic, thin metal frame. Ideal for those with smaller heads and thinner face shapes, this pair is built to last.
Quay The Wingman
- The Wingman, £65 from Quay – buy here
Every brand has its own take on aviators, and Quay is no different. This time the slightly more angular look gives this Wingman model a more defined appearance, while the polarised lenses offer impressive anti-glare properties – something you’ll no doubt appreciate when driving. Or indeed, flying.
Slazenger Aviator Sunglasses
- Slazenger Aviator Sunglasses, £7.99 down from £19.99 from House of Fraser – buy here
No doubt one of the cheapest pairs of aviators you’re likely to find anywhere on the web, this Slazenger pair offers real value for money. They come with mid-grey lenses and thin silver frames, making them particularly understated and easy to wear.
Ray-Ban Men’s Aviator Sunglasses
- Ray-Ban Men’s Aviator Sunglasses, £96.90 down from £130 from Ray-Ban – buy here
Slightly changed from Ray Ban’s signature pair, these aviators are subtly elongated, with a smooth, stretched look that gives them a touch of ‘90s flair.
Techwear Men’s Aviator Sunglasses
- Techware Men’s Aviator Sunglasses, £19 from Techware – buy here
It’s hard to go wrong with this Techwear design, with its dark grey lenses and simple gold frame. They come with integrated adjustable nose pads so you can achieve the perfect fit, while the large lenses offer all-day protection from the sun.
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