Few accessories make you look more instantly cool than Wayfarer sunglasses (or bring you spiritually closer to the likes of Debbie Harry, Michael Jackson, Daniel Craig as James Bond, et. al.)Wayfarer sunglasses are trademarked by Ray-Ban, and the brand makes a few stylish options of their most popular style. But virtually every sunglasses brand worth their salt has created their own interpretation of the iconic silhouette, often with more accessible price tags. The best Wayfarer sunglasses on the market right now are characterized by their trapezoidal shape, thick arms, acetate or plastic frames, and bold top bar; though some brands have added non-traditional details to their Wayfarer-inspired styles, like mirrored lenses, wooden arms, or a nonslip coating to keep them in place while you work out.
Ray-Ban first rolled out their Wayfarers in the 1950s, and they quickly caught on among the political, celebrity, or otherwise highly visible set (see: JFK and Marilyn Monroe). Authentic Ray-Ban Wayfarers are something of an investment; but considering their timelessness and versatility, the price-per-wear is unbeatable. If you can't swing a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers, though, set your sights on one of the alternatives on this list, which channel a similar cool vibe for less money.
Beyond price, an important consideration when shopping for sunglasses is whether you prefer polarized or non-polarized lenses — and that’s a personal choice. Polarized lenses inhibit horizontal light to block out glare reflected off surfaces, though they make it harder to see LCD screens. Ray-Ban Wayfarers don’t feature polarized lenses, but they do offer crystal-clear clarity and thoroughly protect your eyes from harmful UVA/UVB rays.
For an effortlessly cool look that doesn’t skimp on functionality, scroll on to shop two of the best Wayfarer sunglasses from Ray-Ban you can get right now, in addition to four similar, less expensive styles from other brands on Amazon.
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