Collection: Ray Ban Sunglasses

Few accessories are as instantly recognisable as a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses, and this collection brings together the full breadth of the brand's icons, from the original Aviator to the unmistakable Wayfarer and the heritage Clubmaster, all 100% authentic and backed by free UK delivery. As an authorised Ray-Ban stockist, Ardor Eyewear offers genuine frames with proper UV protection, the option of prescription and polarised lenses, and a 14-day returns policy, so you can buy the most famous name in eyewear with complete confidence.

Ray-Ban occupies a unique place in popular culture. No other eyewear maker has its designs woven so deeply into film, music and everyday style, and that is precisely why a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses feels like a safe, timeless choice rather than a passing trend. Below you will find the heritage behind the icons, a guide to choosing the right model, and everything you need to know about lenses, fit and care.

A short history of Ray-Ban sunglasses

Ray-Ban was founded in 1936 when the American firm Bausch & Lomb developed sunglasses to protect US Air Force pilots from the glare they encountered at altitude. That original brief produced the Aviator, a teardrop-shaped frame with a thin metal construction and large lenses that wrapped the eye, and it remains one of the best-selling sunglasses designs in history. The name itself, "Ray-Ban", spoke to the core purpose: to ban the sun's rays.

In 1952 the brand changed direction entirely with the Wayfarer, a bold acetate frame whose flat-fronted, slightly angular shape broke from the all-metal designs of the era. It became a cultural phenomenon across the following decades, worn by musicians, actors and style icons until it stood as shorthand for cool itself. The Clubmaster, with its browline construction, followed in the same spirit, blending metal and acetate into a look rooted in mid-century intellectual style.

Those three pillars, Aviator, Wayfarer and Clubmaster, anchor this collection, joined by modern designs such as the Justin, Erika, Chris and the newer Bill, which reinterpret the brand's heritage for contemporary tastes.

Signature Ray-Ban sunglasses models

Aviator (RB3025)

The one that started it all. Slim metal frame, teardrop lenses and adjustable nose pads make it flattering on a wide range of faces. Available in countless lens colours, including gradient, mirrored and polarised. A genuinely unisex classic.

Wayfarer (RB2140) and New Wayfarer (RB2132)

The original Wayfarer is bold and angular with a substantial acetate frame, while the New Wayfarer softens the angles slightly and uses a lighter, slimmer construction that suits more face shapes. Both are cornerstones of any sunglasses wardrobe.

Clubmaster (RB3016)

The browline silhouette, heavy on top, fine metal below, that reads as smart, retro and quietly confident. A favourite for anyone wanting something distinctive without going oversized.

Justin (RB4165) and Erika (RB4171)

Modern, rubberised acetate frames. The Justin is a larger, more rectangular take on the wayfarer idea, hugely popular with younger wearers, while the Erika offers a rounder, softer shape often finished in matte tones.

Round and newer designs

From round metal frames echoing the brand's heritage to recent additions like the Bill (RB2198) and Zuri (RB4455), the line keeps evolving. Whatever your taste, there is a Ray-Ban shape to match it.

Choosing the right Ray-Ban sunglasses for you

With so many icons to pick from, a little guidance helps. Start with face shape, then refine by size and lens.

• Round faces suit the angular structure of the Wayfarer, Justin or a square frame, which adds definition.
• Square faces are softened beautifully by the Aviator and round models.
• Oval faces can wear almost any Ray-Ban, so choose by mood and outfit.
• Heart-shaped faces are flattered by Aviators and lighter frames that are not top-heavy.

Pay attention to the size code on the frame, often shown as a number such as 50, 52, 54 or 58. This is the lens width in millimetres, and Ray-Ban offers many models in multiple sizes. A 58mm Aviator sits very differently from a 55mm one, so match the figure to your face width for the most comfortable, flattering fit.

If you love the brand's optical frames too, our Ray-Ban glasses collection carries the same icons as everyday eyeglasses, and the famous Aviator and round shapes also appear across our wider aviator sunglasses edit.

Ray-Ban lens options at Ardor

Part of what makes Ray-Ban so versatile is the range of lenses each frame can carry. In this collection you will find:

• Classic tinted G-15 green, B-15 brown and solid greys, the heritage Ray-Ban tints.
• Gradient lenses, darker at the top, ideal for driving and city wear.
• Mirrored (flash) lenses in a spectrum of colours for a bolder look.
• Polarised lenses that cut glare from water, roads and reflective surfaces, perfect for driving and the coast.

For glare-free vision, our polarised sunglasses range highlights which models offer the filter. And because you should never have to choose between clear vision and your favourite frame, most Ray-Bans here can be glazed to your prescription, including tinted and polarised lenses, through our Ray-Ban prescription sunglasses service. Prescription orders take roughly 7–10 working days while the lenses are made; non-prescription pairs are dispatched quickly.

Ray-Ban sunglasses for men and women

One of Ray-Ban's enduring strengths is how unisex its core designs are. An Aviator, a Wayfarer or a round frame looks every bit as good on anyone the proportions suit. That said, sizing and colourways do lean in different directions. Larger Aviators, the Justin and bolder Wayfarers feature prominently in our men's sunglasses selection, while softer shapes and lighter finishes such as the Erika cross naturally into women's styling. If a particular size feels right, trust that over any label.

Materials and build quality

Ray-Ban frames are built to last. The metal models, Aviator and Clubmaster's bridge, use durable alloys with sprung or comfort-fit temples and adjustable nose pads. The acetate frames, Wayfarer and its descendants, are made from rich, hand-finished plant-based plastic that holds colour and resists everyday knocks. Lenses are engineered for optical clarity and impact resistance, and every genuine pair carries the etched Ray-Ban logo on the lens and branding on the temple, hallmarks of authenticity that counterfeits rarely reproduce correctly.

Why buy genuine Ray-Ban sunglasses from Ardor

The popularity of Ray-Ban makes it one of the most counterfeited brands in the world, which is exactly why where you buy matters. Every pair in this collection is 100% authentic, supplied as an authorised stockist, with full UV protection and genuine Ray-Ban lenses, not the unrated substitutes found in fakes. You also receive free UK shipping, the option of prescription and polarised glazing, and a 14-day returns policy (return postage covered by the customer). With prices in this collection broadly between £90 and £210, you get the real thing at a fair price, complete with the brand's own case and paperwork.

If you would like to browse beyond a single brand, our designer sunglasses UK hub places Ray-Ban alongside the other great houses, while Oakley sunglasses are the natural next stop for anyone drawn to sport and performance frames.

Ray-Ban lens colours and what they do

Ray-Ban's heritage lens tints are part of the brand's identity, and knowing them helps you choose. The classic G-15 is a green-grey lens that keeps colours natural while cutting brightness, the original Aviator tint and still the most popular all-rounder. B-15 is a brown lens that lifts contrast, which many drivers and outdoor wearers prefer. Solid greys offer true colour perception with a neutral feel, while gradient lenses fade from dark at the top to clear at the bottom, perfect for driving because they shield overhead sun without darkening the dashboard. Flash (mirrored) lenses add a reflective coating for a bolder look and extra light reduction, and polarised versions cut reflected glare from roads and water for the clearest, most comfortable vision in bright conditions. With so many options on the same iconic frames, you can dial in exactly the look and performance you want. Compare the glare-free options across brands in our polarised sunglasses edit.

Caring for your Ray-Bans

• Clean lenses with the supplied microfibre cloth and a little lens spray; avoid tissues and household cleaners.
• Store them in their case when not worn, rather than loose in a bag.
• Keep them off the top of your head to protect the frame shape and lens coatings.
• Never leave them on a hot dashboard, as heat can distort acetate frames.
• Have the screws and nose pads checked occasionally so the fit stays true.

Ray-Ban sunglasses and popular culture

Part of the appeal of Ray-Ban is that you are buying into a story decades in the making. The Aviator became the defining image of mid-century pilots and later of effortless on-screen cool. The Wayfarer rose, faded and rose again across successive generations, carried by musicians and film stars until it became one of the most-worn sunglasses designs of all time. The Clubmaster's browline shape, meanwhile, has always read as quietly intellectual and creative. Choosing a Ray-Ban is rarely just about a frame; it is about a look with genuine cultural weight behind it, which is exactly why these designs never feel like a gamble.

That heritage also explains the brand's staying power. Trends in eyewear come and go, but the core Ray-Ban silhouettes have outlasted nearly all of them. Buy a Wayfarer or an Aviator today and you can be confident it will look just as right in ten years, which is a large part of why they represent such good long-term value.

How to spot genuine Ray-Ban sunglasses

Because Ray-Ban is so widely faked, it helps to know what authenticity looks like, even though buying from an authorised stockist like Ardor removes the risk entirely. Genuine pairs carry the Ray-Ban logo etched into the top corner of the right lens and a clean, precise "RB" engraving on the left lens. The model and size code are printed neatly inside one temple, the build feels solid and well finished, the hinges are crisp, and the frame arrives in a branded case with a cleaning cloth and authenticity paperwork. Counterfeits typically cut corners on lens quality and UV protection, the very things that protect your eyes, so the safest approach is always to buy genuine from a trusted retailer. Every pair in this collection meets that standard.

If you would like to compare the icons across shapes, our broad sunglasses hub and the men's sunglasses edit both feature Ray-Ban prominently alongside other genuine designer frames.

Frequently asked questions about Ray-Ban sunglasses

Are these genuine Ray-Ban sunglasses?

Yes. Ardor Eyewear is an authorised stockist and every pair is 100% authentic, complete with genuine Ray-Ban lenses, etched logo, branded temple and the original case. Given how widely Ray-Ban is counterfeited, buying from a trusted retailer is the surest way to get the real thing.

Can I get prescription Ray-Ban sunglasses?

Yes. Most frames can be glazed to your prescription, including tinted and polarised lenses, via our Ray-Ban prescription sunglasses service. These orders take around 7–10 working days while the lenses are made.

What does the number on the frame mean?

It is the lens width in millimetres, part of the size code printed on the temple or bridge. Many Ray-Ban models come in several sizes, so matching this figure to your face width gives the best fit. A larger number means a larger frame.

Are Ray-Ban Aviators unisex?

Yes. The Aviator, like the Wayfarer and round styles, is a classic unisex design that flatters a wide range of faces. Choose the size and lens colour that suit you rather than worrying about a gendered label.

Which Ray-Ban is best for driving?

Polarised Aviators and Wayfarers are excellent for driving because the polarising filter cuts glare from the road and other vehicles. Gradient and brown G-15/B-15 tints also improve contrast and comfort behind the wheel.

What is the difference between the Wayfarer and the New Wayfarer?

The original Wayfarer (RB2140) is larger and more angular with a heavier frame, while the New Wayfarer (RB2132) is slightly smaller, slimmer and softer in shape, which suits a broader range of faces. Both are genuine icons.

Do Ray-Ban sunglasses come with full UV protection?

Yes. Every genuine pair offers full protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays. This is one of the key differences between authentic Ray-Bans and cheap imitations.

What is your returns policy?

We offer 14-day returns, with the customer covering return postage. We recommend checking the fit and finish promptly so any return falls within the window.