How aviator eyewear changed: from Bausch & Lomb to Cartier

The military needed these glasses back in the 30's, Bausch & Lomb made them famous for pilots to see better. They went from being commonplace to total luxury, now brands like Cartier put expensive materials and unique designs on them, but they still look just as good as ever.

The beginning of the war and why Bausch & Lomb made them.

You can't separate these glasses from war planes. Airplanes started flying higher and faster in the early 1900s, so pilots suffered a lot in the harsh sun and cold up there. Their eyes got tired and they couldn't see anything, which was dangerous when they had to fight. Bausch & Lomb was a well-known optician and they decided to fix the problem.

They were invented for those flying in combat.

The U.S. Army wanted to better protect their people's eyes, so they called Bausch & Lomb in the 1930's. They were looking for something that would block sun glare and damaging rays, but wouldn't bother them after flying for many hours. The first ones came out in 1936 and had dark green lenses. Those lenses removed most of the glare, helped you see clearly and the eye didn't get so tired. They had that big teardrop shape so that the pilot could see everything without problems. These aviator shaped sunglasses were born just to take care of aviators, and that changed everything in the eyewear world.

From war to Ray-Ban and how they became famous.

Pilots loved the glasses from day one. The folks at Bausch & Lomb realized that many people would want to buy them, not just soldiers. In 1937 they invented the name Ray-Ban, which basically means they block the sun's rays, and brought out the Aviator model for everyone. That's when they stopped being just a work tool and became something everyone wanted to wear to look good. At first they said they were for sports, but they were so beautiful that they became famous fast. Ray-Ban created something that never goes out of style, people still look for them a lot today. If you like classic, these Ray Ban Aviator Sunglasses are what you need to look at.

From the wars to the big screen: how they stuck with people.

These glasses came out of military aircraft and got into everyone's life very fast, they have a strong but cool looking design and people started to associate them with brave pilots. They became a symbol of adventure because the movies helped a lot, famous actors wore them all the time and so they went from being something to work with to being an accessory that everyone wanted to have, becoming something very important for the culture of those years.

Hollywood and the celebrities who made them fashionable

It was in Hollywood where the aviator glasses really exploded, actors wore them to look mysterious and handsome, people like James Dean or Humphrey Bogart always wore them and that helped to make them famous. But what changed everything suddenly was Tom Cruise in Top Gun back in '86, he went out playing Maverick and suddenly everyone wanted their Ray-Bans. Sales went up a lot because they looked rebellious and young, and so a single film made an accessory become legendary for a whole generation, suddenly everyone wanted to look like him.

A symbol of rebellion for those who went against everything.

By the 60s and 70s glasses were no longer just a Hollywood thing, rockers and protesters also wore them a lot because they looked relaxed. Freddie Mercury and Paul McCartney wore them to show they had attitude and didn't care what others said, they gave a lot of confidence and that touch of mystery that everyone likes. In the end they served for men and women alike and were a symbol of freedom that broke with the norm, they remained a staple for anyone who wanted to look different and express their personality.

How they became a luxury thanks to Cartier

Years went by and expensive clothing brands and jewelry stores took notice of this design that never goes out of style, they saw that they could make them much finer. Cartier, which is a brand of very exclusive and handmade things, decided they wanted to make their own aviator glasses and took it to another level. When Cartier started making them the idea we had of these glasses changed completely, they were no longer just something to cover from the sun or common fashion, they became a luxury piece almost like jewelry.

Luxury materials and good craftsmanship

Cartier makes these aviator glasses in a different way, you can tell they care about everything coming out perfect. They removed the usual frames and put expensive metals like gold or platinum, which shine a little but without being exaggerated. The lenses are made with high quality materials, they protect your eyes from the sun and have filters so that you don't get dazzled, sometimes they even have lightening colors or mirror type. What is most striking are the details, they put small diamonds or the figure of the panther on the sideburns, so that each pair looks more like a museum piece. They work each hinge with care so that they close well and feel comfortable on the face.

An accessory to look good and look classy

Wearing these Cartier Sunglasses aviator type is more than just putting on glasses, it's showing that you have good taste and like fine things. They are a symbol for people who are looking for something that has history but is total luxury. You almost always recognize them by the shiny metal and expensive details, such as the two letter C logo or panther patterns. People who want to look important choose these glasses, because they mix the classic pilot design with the quality of a jeweler's jewel. Cartier assures you that you are buying something that will not go out of fashion tomorrow, it is an investment in an accessory that serves to dress well and also to protect your eyesight.

Today's aviator style: how to wear it and what's on trend

The aviator design adapts very well to the years, it is always present even if fashion changes all the time. Now there is not only one style of these glasses, they have changed a lot so that anyone can use them according to what they need or how they dress. This explains a little bit how the design of aviator glasses has been changing from a long time ago until today.

What makes people recognize these glasses fast and everyone wants to have them is this:

• They have the thin metal frame and almost always come with that double bridge on top.
• The lenses are as big as a drop, they cover the whole eye area.
• The temples are thin and thin looking, they are made so that they don't bother you at all.
• They come with nose pads that you can move, so they fit just the way you like them.

Now there are sizes for all tastes, you see from those giant glasses that look like they used to be, to smaller and simpler ones. The colors of the glasses have changed a lot, there are green ones, but also strong blue or pink ones, even the ones that shine like mirrors that look very modern. Frames have been given everything, sometimes they are matte or mix metal with good plastic. High end brands like Chanel Aviator Sunglasses, Prada Aviator Sunglasses, Gucci Aviator Sunglasses, Miu Miu Aviator Sunglasses and Tom Ford Aviator Sunglasses bring out their own models, each one putting their own brand style to make a difference.

People like Etnia Barcelona also do striking things, you have the Etnia Barcelona Lombard Sun Bzhv 63 Mm or the Etnia Barcelona Lombard Sun Slgr 63 Mm, you can see that this style of pilot does not go out of fashion and they always invent something new.

What has changed over time in this design.

What you look at	The ones from before (military)	The ones from now (fashion and luxury)
What they are made of	Metal that weighs nothing	Gold, silver, expensive plastic or mixed titanium
Color of the crystal	Typical dark green	Any color, mirrored or lightening
How big they are	Big and drop-shaped	There is everything, giant or small but with the same shape.
Extra things	They can be used just like that, no twists and turns	With pebbles, engraved logos or weird bridges
What they are used for	So that the pilots don't get dazzled	To look good and show off a little

Find your favorite pilot glasses here at Optica Bassol

They started out for soldiers but now they're pure luxury, aviator glasses never die. They always come out with something new but they look just as good, that's why they are still so well liked. Here at Optica Bassol we love this style, so check out our Sunglasses (Aviator Shape) section. Whether you want the usual regular ones or something more daring from brands like Cartier, you're sure to find one that fits you well. Take a look at the quality they have and choose the ones you like the most to go out in style.