Who knew that Wayfarers originally marketed as sunglasses for pilots, would become an object of cult fashion?

The popularity of Wayfarers can be compared only to the little black dress, as Wayfarers are cited as the best-selling design of sunglasses in history, and have been called “one of the most enduring fashion icons of the 20th Century”.

Designed in 1952 by Raymond Stegeman, Wayfarers originally targeted only men. John Lennon, Bob Dylan, James Dean, John F. Kennedy, Roy Orbison, and Andy Warhol all stylized up in Wayfarers. But the sunglasses became so popular, that women began sporting them, including Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn who wore Wayfarers in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Audrey Hepburn and Andy Warhol

The second wave of Wayfarers’ popularity occurred in the 80s when Madonna glamorized with them and Tom Cruise appeared wearing Wayfarers in Risky Business.

Today, the new generation fans of the iconic sunglasses are Kate Moss, Scarlett Johansson, Liv Tyler, Anne Hathaway, Rachel Bilson, Sienna Miller, Lily Allen, Paris Hilton, the Olsen twins.

Nicole Ritchie, Fergie, Adam Brody; Mischa Barton, Sienna Miller and Ashlee Simpson.

As you can see, Wayfarers are an accessory legend, a must have accessory for every fashionista all over the world. As Don Healey sang in his 1984 hit, “Boys of the Summer”: “You’ve got that hair slicked back and the Wayfarers on…”

Ray-Ban Classic Wayfarer Sunglasses ($129.00) are available at E-luxury.

Sources:
Wikipedia
Fashionising
Corbis