Aviators: synonymous with pilots, Travis Bickle, and Tom Cruise. Wayfarers: synonymous with Ray Charles, JFK, and Tom Cruise. But we can’t all be Tom Cruise, and have to choose which one of these iconic eyewear styles is right for our specific bone structure, head shape, and and general fashion sense. Here’s a few simple tips for knowing which one is the proper fit for you.
1. What Kind of Food Does Your Face Look Like?
Choosing the right sunglasses starts and ends with one word: Balance. That means if you’ve got a face that resembles a vertical almond, then you’re going to want to opt for Wayfarers (which officially are a Ray-Ban copyright, though we are using in the same way rox is synonymous with copy machine). Wayfarers have a stout shape and will counteract your head’s natural length. If you’re dome is more orange-like, then aviators, with their elongating teardrop shape, can add some length to your natural circularity.
2. If You Can’t Get Cheeky
Here’s the simple truth: If you’ve got high cheekbones, then you can really wear whatever sunglasses you want. They’ll both rest easily atop your beautiful bone structure while the rest of have to cope with the consequences of our eyewear choices. That said, if you don’t look like Kate Moss or Justin Bieber (high cheekbone queen and king), then Wayfarers are your best bet. Aviators will look droopy, whereas Wayfarers naturally sit high on a person’s face, regardless of genetics.
3. Let’s Play a Game of Bridge
So much of what makes certain sunglasses better or worse for your face comes down to what’s going on with the bridge of your nose. Is it high, low, or right in the middle? Those with a high, narrow bridge that sticks out far from the face (i.e., Adrien Brody) are going to benefit from the way aviators sit on the sides of the nose (with the little pad thingies) as opposed to on top of it like Wayfarers. But what it also comes down to is the make and style of the Wayfarer, as some are cut with a wider nose that will rest nicely on a higher bridge. Those with a low bridge (like handsome devil male model Tyson Beckford) almost always look better in Wayfarers, though let’s be real—Tyson looks good in just about everything.
4. Pilots vs. Punks
Is your style more classic American guy, or are you a little edgier? Do you rock more boots, or more Air Jordans? If you’re the former, then aviators will round out your masculine vibes. If you’re more street, Wayfarers (in black), with the acetate or plastic frame, won’t steel the shine from the rest of your fit.
Now that you know which style suits you, all that’s left to do is make sure you nail the right size, make, and price, and you’ll be some version of Tom Cruise-level before you can say Risky Business.