The most famous sunglasses that appeared on film were selected with great consideration. A particular pair is selected to project a certain personality of the character. Is he cool? Is she glamorous? Is he sinister?
Neo and Trinity in The Matrix. Tyler Durden in Fight Club. Tony Montana in Scarface. Can you image these characters without their iconic sunglasses?
A tenet in filmmaking that doubles as great fashion advice: For those who crave the star image, choose sunglasses that do not only frame your face well, but bring out your personality. When it comes to style inspiration, there’s no shortage of great looks in cinema.
Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses: Top Gun, etc.
Tom Cruise’s Maverick defines cool with a pair of Ray-Ban 3025 aviators in Top Gun. After the film was released, thousands of fans flocked to stores to recreate the dashing, tough guy look. Designed originally for use by Army fighter pilots in 1936, Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses are perhaps the most referenced pair in the history of cinema. Leonardo DiCaprio wears the 360 in Body of Lies. Christian Bale fights crime in 3324 in Dark Knight. Brad Pitt has 3025 in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Oliver Peoples’ Sunglasses: Fight Club
The anarchist Tyler Durden is the epitome of cool. That’s why he wears Oliver Peoples’ 523 sunglasses. The OP 523 features square-shaped, blood red lenses and silver frames.
Blinde Sunglasses: The Matrix
The sunglasses in The Matrix create an aura of mystery and power. They also push the limits of sunglass design; must like the film pushes the boundaries of reality. Agent Smith’s sunglasses feature angled, smoky lenses and metal hardware. Morpheus wore a pair that did not have arms; to wear, he clips them on the upper bridge of his nose. The Trinity and Neo sunglasses feature egg-shaped lenses with high-tech titanium frames. They wrap around the face and stay planted even during intense action scenes!
Custom-designed by Richard Walker of the cult label Blinde, The Matrix sunglasses roused worldwide interest by storm. The original Walker designs are no longer available, but you can find similar styles in Houston stores and elsewhere.
Porsche Carrera Sunglasses: Scarface
The pair of sunglasses worn by Al Pacino in the 1983 movie, Scarface, is a Carrera 5622. It features oversized, aviator-style, tinted lenses and foldable arms.
Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses: Breakfast at Tiffany’s
The iconic frames worn by Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly throughout the film epitomize elegance and glamour. Called the “Manhattan,” the sunglasses have green lenses and “dark tortoiseshell” frames. In 2011, Oliver Goldsmith re-released the model to mark the 50th anniversary of the film.
Choosing Your EyewearÂ
A sunglasses trend that never goes out of style: protecting your eyes. Consider Tony Montana cool or a Holly Golightly glamour, but don’t forget the health aspects. According to Amjad Khokhar, top LASIK surgeon and founder of Houston LASIK & Eye, constant unprotected exposure can lead to problems such as cataracts. A great pair must, foremost, provide total protection from ultraviolet rays. Choose wraparound sunglasses that protect your eyes from the sides. If you’re wearing prescription eyeglasses, clip-on sunglasses are a great option when going outdoors.
