Collection: Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses

Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses are the most recognisable pair of sunglasses ever made — the teardrop-lensed, thin-metal design that began life on the faces of military pilots and went on to define cool for nearly a century. This collection at Ardor Eyewear brings together the definitive aviator line-up, from the original RB3025 to modern reinterpretations, all genuine and supplied as an authorised UK stockist. With 28 styles spanning classic gold and silver metals, gradient and mirrored lenses, polarised options and even junior sizes, this is the place to find the aviator that suits your face, your prescription and your style. Every pair ships free across the UK, and most can be glazed with prescription lenses in our own service.

Few designs earn the word "icon", but the aviator has. Introduced by Ray-Ban in the 1930s to protect US Air Force pilots from high-altitude glare, its combination of large teardrop lenses, a slim metal frame and a double or triple bridge has proven endlessly adaptable. Our edit ranges from around £50 to £210 and includes celebrated references such as the RB3025 Aviator, the RB4376, the RB4125 Cats 5000, the RB3549, the RB8313 Carbon Fibre and the RJ9506S Junior Aviator, so there is a version for every wearer and budget.

The heritage behind Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses

The story of Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses is the story of modern eyewear itself. Ray-Ban created the shape in 1936 to solve a specific problem: pilots needed lenses large enough to shield the full field of vision from intense sunlight without adding weight. The teardrop lens, the thin metal frame and the sweat-bar bridge were all engineering decisions, and it is that functional honesty that gives the aviator its timeless appeal. What worked for pilots worked just as well for film stars, musicians and everyone who followed.

Nearly a century later, the RB3025 Aviator remains the reference point — the frame most people picture when they hear the word "aviator". Ray-Ban has since expanded the idea into countless variations, adding acetate brow bars, flatter lenses, carbon-fibre temples and squared reinterpretations, while keeping the essential silhouette intact. That blend of heritage and evolution is why the aviator never dates. To see how it sits within the broader brand, explore our full Ray-Ban sunglasses range and our dedicated aviator sunglasses collection.

Iconic models in our Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses collection

This collection gathers the aviators that matter, each with its own character.

The RB3025 Aviator is the original and still the best-selling — thin metal, classic teardrop lenses and a huge choice of lens colours, from G-15 green to gradient brown and mirrored blue. It is the definitive starting point.

The RB4376 and other acetate-accented styles bring a contemporary twist, adding lightweight materials and updated proportions while keeping the aviator DNA. The RB4125 Cats 5000 pushes the shape in a bolder, more retro direction with a distinctive brow line and a nod to 1950s glamour.

The RB8313 Carbon Fibre is the technical option, using carbon-fibre temples for extra lightness and strength — ideal if you want the classic look with a modern, performance edge. The RB3549 offers a slightly squared, sporty take on the teardrop for those who find the original too rounded.

For younger wearers, the RJ9506S Junior Aviator shrinks the icon to a child-friendly size without losing any of the style, so the whole family can share the look. Across the collection you will find gold, silver, gunmetal and black frames paired with an enormous range of lens finishes.

How to choose Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses for your face

Aviators are famously flexible, but a little guidance helps you choose the most flattering pair. The classic teardrop shape works especially well on square and heart-shaped faces, where its curved lines soften strong angles and a wider brow. Oval faces can wear almost any aviator with ease. If your face is round, look to the squared aviator variations such as the RB3549, whose straighter lines add a touch of definition rather than echoing the roundness.

Size is the key to a great fit. Aviators come in a range of lens widths — commonly 55mm, 58mm and 62mm on the RB3025 alone — and the frame should sit so the lenses cover your eyes fully without extending past the edges of your face. Check the measurements printed inside the temple against a pair of sunglasses you already like, and remember that a larger lens gives a bolder, more glamorous look while a smaller size reads as classic and neat. Our junior aviators cater for children and those with very narrow faces.

Lens colour changes both the look and the function. G-15 green and B-15 brown are the timeless choices that preserve natural colour perception; gradient lenses fade from dark to light for a softer, more fashion-forward feel; and mirrored lenses add a bold, reflective finish. If you spend time near water, snow or roads, a polarised lens dramatically cuts glare.

Polarised and prescription Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses

Two upgrades make aviators even more useful. First, polarised lenses: these filter out horizontal glare bouncing off water, tarmac and glossy surfaces, making them a genuine benefit for driving, sailing, cycling and any bright-light activity. Many of the aviators in this collection are available with Ray-Ban's polarised lenses, and you can explore the wider range in our polarised sunglasses collection.

Second, prescription lenses. Most Ray-Ban aviators can be glazed with your prescription through Ardor Eyewear's in-house service, so you no longer have to choose between seeing clearly and wearing the icon. We offer single vision, varifocal and bifocal prescription sunglass lenses, in a range of tints and with polarised or photochromic options. Simply select prescription glazing and enter your details at checkout; our UK lab does the rest. Browse our dedicated prescription sunglasses service for full details. Because prescription lenses are made to order, these orders typically take around 7–10 working days before dispatch.

Styling aviators and building a Ray-Ban wardrobe

Part of the aviator's enduring power is how effortlessly it styles. A gold-framed pair with green or brown lenses is the timeless choice, complementing everything from a leather jacket and jeans to a linen shirt in summer. Silver and gunmetal frames lean cooler and more modern, pairing neatly with tailoring and monochrome outfits, while black frames with dark lenses read as sharp and understated.

Because aviators are so versatile, they work across seasons and settings — road trips, festivals, beach holidays, city weekends and everything in between. Gradient and mirrored lenses lend a more fashion-led feel for holidays and events, while classic G-15 lenses keep things effortlessly cool for everyday wear. Many people build a small rotation: a classic gold pair for everyday, and a mirrored or polarised pair for driving and bright days.

If you love the Ray-Ban look, it is easy to extend it. Pair your aviators with a complementary optical frame from our Ray-Ban glasses range, or explore other iconic shapes in our round sunglasses edit for a second, contrasting style. For a broader view of premium sun eyewear, our designer sunglasses UK collection sits alongside these aviators beautifully.

Caring for your Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses

Aviators are built to last, and simple care keeps them looking new. Clean the lenses with a microfibre cloth and a dedicated lens spray, or lukewarm water with a drop of mild washing-up liquid; avoid tissues and shirt tails, which can scratch coatings, especially on mirrored and gradient lenses. Because aviators are thin-metal frames, handle them with both hands when putting them on and off to avoid bending the bridge or temples out of true.

Store your sunglasses in their case when not in use, and keep them off the top of your head, which slowly stretches the frame. If the arms loosen or the frame sits unevenly, most opticians will realign a metal aviator in moments. Keep them out of extreme heat, such as a closed car in summer, to protect the lens coatings. Looked after well, a pair of genuine Ray-Ban aviators will serve you for many years.

Why buy Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses from Ardor Eyewear

Every pair in this collection is 100% genuine Ray-Ban, supplied as an authorised UK stockist and delivered with the official case and documentation — never counterfeit or grey-market stock, which is a real risk with a design this widely copied. We offer free UK shipping, a 14-day returns policy (return postage paid by the customer) and a complete in-house prescription glazing service, including polarised and photochromic sunglass lenses. For the world's most iconic sunglasses, bought with confidence and backed by genuine UK service, this is the collection to shop. Explore our wider men's sunglasses range to see how the aviator sits alongside other classics.

Aviator sizing explained

Getting the size right is the single biggest factor in how good your Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses look and feel, and the aviator is unusual in offering the same iconic model in several distinct sizes. The RB3025, for example, is sold in 55mm, 58mm and 62mm lens widths, which changes the character of the frame considerably. The table below is a quick guide to help you choose.

Lens width	Best suited to	Overall look
52–55mm	Smaller and narrower faces	Classic, neat and understated
56–58mm	Average and medium faces	The timeless, balanced aviator
60–62mm	Larger and wider faces	Bold, glamorous and statement-making

The three numbers printed inside the temple arm — lens width, bridge width and temple length in millimetres — are your reference point. The simplest method is to read those figures off a pair of sunglasses you already find comfortable and match them here. On the face, the lenses should cover your eyes fully and the frame front should sit within the width of your face rather than protruding past it; if the arms visibly bow outwards, the frame is too small, and if they sit loosely, it is too large.

Bridge fit matters too, especially on a metal frame. Aviators with adjustable nose pads can be fine-tuned by an optician so they sit at the right height and do not slide, which is well worth doing for a frame you will wear often. For children and those with very narrow faces, the junior aviators such as the RJ9506S offer the full look in a properly scaled size. If you are still unsure which size to choose, our team is always happy to help you interpret the measurements before you order from our sunglasses range.

Frequently asked questions

Are these genuine Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses?

Yes. Ardor Eyewear is an authorised UK stockist, so every pair is 100% authentic Ray-Ban and arrives with the official case and documentation. This matters especially with aviators, which are among the most widely counterfeited sunglasses in the world.

Can I get Ray-Ban aviators with my prescription?

Most aviators in this collection can be glazed with prescription lenses through our in-house service, including single vision, varifocal and bifocal, with tinted, polarised or photochromic options. Select prescription glazing and enter your details at checkout.

What is the difference between polarised and non-polarised aviators?

Polarised lenses filter out horizontal glare from water, roads and shiny surfaces, making them ideal for driving and bright conditions. Non-polarised lenses still offer full UV protection but do not reduce glare in the same way. Polarised lenses usually cost a little more.

Which aviator size should I choose?

Aviators come in several lens widths, commonly 55mm, 58mm and 62mm on the classic RB3025. The lenses should cover your eyes fully without extending past your face. Check the measurements inside the temple against a pair you already like, and consider a junior size for children or narrow faces.

Do aviators suit my face shape?

Aviators are among the most flattering shapes and suit most faces, particularly square and heart-shaped ones. If your face is round, a squared aviator such as the RB3549 adds a little definition.

How much do Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses cost?

Frames in this collection range from around £50 to £210 before any prescription options, depending on the model, materials and lens finish. The current price is shown on each product page.

How long does delivery take?

Non-prescription sunglasses ship quickly with free UK delivery. Prescription orders are made to order and typically take around 7–10 working days for glazing before dispatch.

What is your returns policy?

We offer a 14-day returns policy on unworn sunglasses in their original packaging, with return postage paid by the customer. Made-to-order prescription lenses are covered by our prescription returns terms.