Classic wayfarer eyewear styles appeal to the rebellious, independent thinker looking to take on the world with new ideas. Created in the 1950s by Ray-Ban, original Wayfarer eyeglasses and sunglasses are characterized by a trapezoidal frame shape and thick rims. The wayfarer-style silhouette lives on in an impressive array of options by a multitude of eyewear makers. Explore the collection at FramesDirect to find your new favorite wayfarers.
Wayfarer sunglasses and eyeglasses are a popular eyewear choice, but the frame has evolved from a maverick silhouette into one of the most popular eyewear styles today. Nearly every designer label and eyewear brand offers a wayfarer-style frame. Ray-Ban produced the original Wayfarer and marketed it as a rebellious sunglasses frame for men. The maker took advantage of plastic molding technology and a durable plastic called acetate that had only just been invented to create this breakthrough frame. Original rebel James Dean famously flaunted the Wayfarer, a style that would become a symbol of his independence and recalcitrant spirit as an actor, model, and Hollywood icon.
The comedic duo Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi rocked Wayfarers as the Blues Brothers in their namesake 1980 film, and a young Tom Cruise slid across the floor wearing socks, skivvies, and a pair of Wayfarers in the 1982 movie Risky Business, continuing a trend that was only the beginning of a Wayfarer resurgence. The style popped up throughout the 1980s, as seen in the television programs Miami Vice and Moonlighting, and in the cult classic film, The Breakfast Club. Now you can enjoy eyeglasses and sunglasses that mimic the vintage favorite—explore wayfarer-style frames in an impressive array of colors and shapes to suit any tastes.
Original wayfarer eyeglasses and sunglasses were created in the 1950s by Ray-Ban, characterized by a trapezoidal frame shape and thick rims made possible by the then-new plastic material acetate. The style has since evolved from a maverick silhouette into one of the most popular eyewear shapes worn today.
No — while Ray-Ban produced the original wayfarer, the trapezoidal silhouette lives on across an impressive array of options from many eyewear makers. FramesDirect's men's wayfarer collection includes styles from multiple brands beyond Ray-Ban.
Classic wayfarer eyewear styles appeal to the rebellious, independent thinker, a reputation that traces back to icons like James Dean, who famously flaunted the shape as a symbol of his independent spirit. That legacy of nonconformist style is part of why the wayfarer remains a go-to men's frame today.
Men's wayfarer frames are commonly made from acetate, the durable plastic material that made the original wayfarer's molded construction possible, though metal and other modern materials are also used across the collection. This mix gives you options ranging from the classic thick-rimmed look to lighter, more contemporary builds.
Yes — the wayfarer silhouette is available across both eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses in the men's collection at FramesDirect. This lets you get the same iconic trapezoidal shape whether you need everyday vision correction or sun protection.