Collection: Ray-Ban Wayfarer

The Ray-Ban Wayfarer is one of the most influential frame designs in the history of eyewear, and this collection at Ardor Eyewear brings together the original and its many variations, all genuine and 100% authentic from an authorised UK stockist. Introduced in 1952, the Wayfarer broke away from the metal frames that had dominated until then, pioneering a bold trapezoidal acetate shape that has defined cool for generations. Here you will find the timeless RB2140 Wayfarer and the slimmer RB2132 New Wayfarer alongside fresh interpretations such as the RB0502S Wayfarer Reverse, the RB2241 Wayfarer Way, the RB3875 Wayfarer Deluxe and a junior version for younger fans. With prices typically from around £50 to £210 and full prescription options, this is the home of the Wayfarer in the UK.

A short history of the Ray-Ban Wayfarer

When the Wayfarer launched in 1952, it was a genuine revolution. Designer Raymond Stegeman used newly available moulded plastics to create a frame that was bolder, flatter-fronted and more distinctive than anything before it. The angular, slightly wing-tipped shape felt modern and rebellious, and it was quickly adopted by musicians, artists and film stars who wanted to look effortlessly different. Over the following decades the Wayfarer became a cultural shorthand for understated cool, fading and resurging with the times but never disappearing.

That long arc of popularity is exactly why the Wayfarer remains a cornerstone of any considered eyewear collection and one of the most requested styles within our wider Ray-Ban sunglasses range. If you appreciate clean, angular silhouettes more generally, our square-shape sunglasses collection gathers the look across many designers and makes a useful comparison.

What's in this Ray-Ban Wayfarer collection

This edit covers the full Wayfarer family, from the faithful original to modern reworkings, so you can choose the proportions and attitude that suit you best.

• RB2140 Wayfarer: The original and most iconic model, with the boldest, most angular frame front and the steepest wing-tipped profile. The definitive Wayfarer look.
• RB2132 New Wayfarer: A slightly softer, slimmer and more rounded interpretation that sits more easily on a wider range of faces. Often the more comfortable everyday choice.
• RB2241 Wayfarer Way: A refined update that keeps the spirit of the original with contemporary detailing.
• RB3875 Wayfarer Deluxe: A reimagining that blends Wayfarer cues with fresh, modern construction.
• RB0502S Wayfarer Reverse: A bold, contemporary take featuring an inverted, curved lens for a striking modern twist.
• RJ9052S Junior New Wayfarer: A scaled-down version for younger wearers who want the same iconic style.

Colourways run from the classic glossy black through tortoiseshell and a wide spread of seasonal tones, with lens options including the classic G-15 green, gradients, mirrors and polarised tints. For glare reduction on the road or near water, our specialist polarised sunglasses collection brings the strongest options together.

Choosing the right Wayfarer for your face

The Wayfarer's angular shape is most flattering when it gently contrasts with your natural face shape. Use these notes to guide your choice between the bolder original and the softer New Wayfarer:

• Round faces: The original RB2140's strong angles add definition and structure, making it an excellent match.
• Oval faces: Highly versatile, so either the original or New Wayfarer works; choose by the look you prefer.
• Square faces: The slightly softer, more rounded RB2132 New Wayfarer balances a strong jaw better than the sharpest original.
• Heart-shaped faces: A medium New Wayfarer balances a wider brow and narrower chin nicely.

The original Wayfarer is known for a more assertive fit, while the New Wayfarer is generally the more forgiving, comfortable option, so if you are unsure, the RB2132 is a safe starting point. Each frame carries its lens width, bridge width and temple length in millimetres inside the temple, and comparing these with a pair you already wear comfortably is the quickest route to the right size.

Materials and build quality

The Wayfarer is defined by its acetate construction, which gives the frame its glossy depth of colour, its reassuring weight and that distinctive flat-fronted silhouette. The acetate is built around a sturdy core for durability, and the hinges and lenses are engineered to the standard that made Ray-Ban a household name. Every pair provides full protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays as standard. Newer models in the range introduce updated materials and detailing while keeping the unmistakable Wayfarer character intact.

Prescription Ray-Ban Wayfarers at Ardor

Most Ray-Ban Wayfarer frames in this collection can be glazed with prescription lenses through Ardor's in-house service, letting you wear this iconic style as your own bespoke prescription sunglasses. We offer single vision, varifocal, bifocal, blue-light, tinted and photochromic lenses, plus polarised tints for driving. The Wayfarer's substantial acetate front makes a particularly handsome prescription frame, and the same shape is also available as clear-lens eyewear in our Ray-Ban glasses range. To see everything we can glaze for the sun, visit our prescription sunglasses collection. Prescription orders typically take around 7 to 10 working days, with free UK delivery.

Styling the Ray-Ban Wayfarer

The Wayfarer is the definition of a versatile, year-round frame. Classic glossy black is endlessly adaptable, sharpening tailoring and adding instant edge to jeans and a tee alike. Tortoiseshell brings warmth and pairs beautifully with autumnal tones, camel coats and denim. Bolder seasonal colours and the striking Wayfarer Reverse make confident statements for those who want their eyewear to stand out, while mirrored and gradient lenses add a contemporary, fashion-led flourish.

Because the Wayfarer is a genuinely unisex icon, it suits everyone, which is a large part of its appeal. If you like to keep more than one frame on rotation, it pairs neatly with a contrasting shape, so you might hold an aviator alongside your Wayfarer for variety. Our men's sunglasses and women's sunglasses collections offer plenty of complementary options to round out an eyewear wardrobe.

The Wayfarer through the decades

Part of the Wayfarer's charm is how it has woven itself through popular culture without ever belonging to a single era. After its 1952 launch it became a symbol of mid-century cool, then experienced a remarkable resurgence in the 1980s when it returned to the spotlight in a big way, before settling into its current status as a permanent fixture of the modern wardrobe. Few products manage to feel both nostalgic and contemporary at once, yet the Wayfarer does exactly that, which is why it appeals across generations, from teenagers discovering it for the first time to wearers who have loved it for decades.

That cultural longevity has practical implications for the shopper. Because the Wayfarer is not tied to a passing fashion moment, you can buy one with confidence that it will not look dated, and you can choose between the faithful original look or a modern interpretation knowing both share the same enduring DNA. The breadth of colourways, from understated black and tortoiseshell to bolder seasonal tones, means there is a Wayfarer to suit a quiet, classic taste and one to suit a more expressive one. For wearers who like to keep options open, pairing a Wayfarer with a contrasting shape from our aviator sunglasses collection gives you the two most iconic Ray-Ban silhouettes to rotate between.

Caring for your Ray-Ban Wayfarer

Acetate frames reward a little care. Clean the lenses with a microfibre cloth and a little lens cleaner or warm soapy water rather than a dry tissue, which can scratch the coating. Put on and remove your Wayfarers with both hands to keep the hinges aligned and the arms from loosening, and store them in their case when not in use. Keep them out of prolonged heat, such as a sunny dashboard, which can soften acetate over time. With this simple routine, the deep colour and any prescription coatings will stay looking their best for years.

Why buy your Ray-Ban Wayfarer from Ardor

Ardor Eyewear is an authorised UK stockist, so every Ray-Ban Wayfarer we sell is genuine and 100% authentic, complete with Ray-Ban's own case and documentation. You enjoy free UK delivery, a full in-house prescription glazing service and a 14-day returns policy, with return postage paid by the customer. Whether you want the bold original RB2140 or the easier-wearing RB2132 New Wayfarer, this is the place to buy a true design icon with complete confidence. To keep exploring, our headline sunglasses collection and our wider designer sunglasses UK range sit right alongside this edit.

Understanding Wayfarer lens options

The Wayfarer's generous acetate front frames a wide lens area, which means lens choice has a real impact on both the look and the performance of the frame. The classic G-15 green lens is the traditional Wayfarer tint, balancing glare reduction with faithful colour perception. Brown and B-15 tints lift contrast and suit warmer light, working well for driving and outdoor use. Gradient lenses, darker at the top and lighter below, protect against overhead sun while keeping a clearer downward view, which makes them a popular everyday and urban choice.

For a bolder, more contemporary look, mirrored lenses add a reflective finish and extra brightness control, while polarised lenses cut horizontal glare from roads, water and glass, sharpening contrast and easing eye strain for drivers and beachgoers alike. Photochromic lenses, which adapt between light and dark as conditions change, are available on a prescription basis. If glare reduction is your priority, our specialist polarised sunglasses collection gathers the strongest options, while the broader sunglasses range lets you see how the Wayfarer compares with other iconic shapes.

The Wayfarer as a timeless investment

Few frames have demonstrated the staying power of the Wayfarer. More than seventy years after its debut, it remains one of the most recognisable and sought-after designs in the world, which makes it a genuinely sound long-term purchase rather than a passing trend. A classic black RB2140 or RB2132 bought today will look just as current in years to come, and Ray-Ban's acetate construction means a well-cared-for pair will physically endure for the long haul. For countless wearers, a Wayfarer becomes a signature frame, the pair they instinctively reach for whatever the occasion.

That timelessness is part of why the Wayfarer continues to be reinterpreted, from the everyday-friendly New Wayfarer to bold modern takes like the Wayfarer Reverse, without ever losing its core identity. Whichever version you choose, you are buying into a design that has proven its appeal across generations. If you would like the same look in a clear-lens optical frame, our Ray-Ban glasses range includes Wayfarer-inspired prescription frames, while the wider designer sunglasses UK edit places the Wayfarer within the broader luxury eyewear market for easy comparison.

Frequently asked questions

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

The original RB2140 Wayfarer has a bolder, more angular frame front with a steeper wing-tipped profile, while the RB2132 New Wayfarer is slimmer, softer and more rounded. The New Wayfarer tends to be the more comfortable, everyday-friendly choice, whereas the original delivers the most iconic look.

Which Wayfarer suits my face shape?

As a guide, the angular original flatters round and oval faces by adding definition, while the softer New Wayfarer suits square and heart-shaped faces better. Comparing the measurements inside a frame you already wear comfortably is the most reliable way to find your fit.

Can I get prescription lenses in a Ray-Ban Wayfarer?

Yes. Most Wayfarer frames here can be glazed with prescription lenses through Ardor's in-house service, including single vision, varifocal, bifocal, blue-light, tinted, photochromic and polarised options. Prescription orders usually take around 7 to 10 working days.

Are Ray-Ban Wayfarers genuine at Ardor?

Yes, every pair is 100% authentic. Ardor Eyewear is an authorised UK stockist, so your Wayfarer is supplied through legitimate channels with the brand's own packaging and documentation.

Are Wayfarer sunglasses available polarised?

Many models offer polarised lenses, which reduce glare from roads, water and reflective surfaces. The product page indicates whether a pair is polarised, and we can also fit polarised lenses as part of a prescription order.

Is the Wayfarer suitable for both men and women?

Yes, the Wayfarer is a unisex design worn by all, which is one reason it has stayed popular for over seventy years. Different models and sizes let you find a proportion that flatters your face and matches your style.

What are the delivery and returns terms?

UK delivery is free. Stock sunglasses are dispatched promptly, while prescription orders take around 7 to 10 working days for glazing. Returns are accepted within 14 days of receipt, with the customer responsible for return postage.