How to Get the Wayfarer Look

Would Risky Business have been as iconic? Would The Blues Brothers have been as popular? Would The Boys of Summer have been as tempting without their “hair slicked back and their Wayfarers on”? We think not.

As early as Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Hollywood’s biggest stars have been sporting the classic style – and even copycats. They’ve donned Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Tom Cruise, and Corey Feldman. As big a craze as the metal framed Aviators from the same sunglass-magnate, Ray-Ban, Wayfarers are the “must-have” for every generation. Today, there’s a Wayfarer to match every style.

Sporty Wayfarers

Oakley announced its new “Jupiter” model in 2009 – a Wayfarer-inspired look with the sporty edge of Oakley.

REM Eyewear’s “Converse” – With an activewear, wrap-around lens style, REM Eyewear opens the Wayfarer style to a new demographic.

High-Fashion Wayfarers

Kate Spade 2008 Line – “Maribel,” “Dexter,” and “Priscilla.” With the ever-rising popularity of the simple plastic frames, Kate Spade struck a chord and designed not one, but three different replicas of the iconic style.

Oliver Peoples’ “Hollis.” Available in grey, black, brown, and classic tortoise shell, the newly-popular Oliver Peoples covers every color for this style.

Marc Jacobs’ MJ 097. Part of his 2008 line, Marc Jacob’s Wayfarer-esque glasses have been hugely popular.

Polo Ralph Lauren PH4030‘s. With Polo Ralph Lauren being among the top American design houses, their version of the Wayfarer is hugely popular among America’s elite.

Classic-Style Wayfarers

Hugo Boss 0141/S. Nearly an exact replica of the Ray-Ban giant. The fashion world may call it a “copy cat,” but we call it another opportunity to grab a classic look.

Police Eyewear S1561. Another close mimic, the only thing missing from Police Eyewear’s style is the trademark silver diamond shape on the outer eye-piece. Men rejoice!

Sabre Vision’s “Poolside.” As an 80’s fashion staple, these frames were available in the craziest colors and prints. They’re still available today via zappos.com.

The best way to get the classic Wayfarer look is still through Ray-Ban – the original manufacturer – now owned by Luxottica Corporation. Their Wayfarer design is available wherever Ray-Ban’s are sold, from department stores like Selfridge’s London to boutique stores like Sunglass Hut and LensCrafters.

Available in nearly every department store and boutique, some form of the Wayfarer is easily accessible. Beware of the “fakes” which tend to snap easily with plastic that is not tempered. Grab a pair of Wayfarers and enjoy the risky, bluesy, summertime – and, hey, we won’t tell if they’re a copy cat!