Expensive and high-quality sunglasses can become the cornerstone of your summer style—you will surely find yours among these five classic frames.

1. Aviator (Pilot) Sunglasses

These glasses did not get their name by accident—they were genuinely developed for military needs to protect pilots' eyes from the sun's rays. The original design was developed by the company "Bausch & Lomb" in 1936, and they quickly gained popularity because, compared to their predecessors, they were lighter and, of course, more stylish.

Incidentally, although many companies produce frames of this style, the original "Bausch & Lomb" design has been taken over by the company's subsidiary, "Ray-Ban." If you are interested in glasses with a story, here is a good option. Aviator glasses have returned to fashion multiple times. In the fifties, they became an element of military style. Later, colorful "teardrops" were worn by Elvis Presley, and in the eighties, they were popularized again by Michael Jackson. Currently, a new wave of Aviator fashion has been created by the fact that U.S. President Joe Biden gave them to Vladimir Putin during the summit in Geneva.

2. Cat-Eye

In the 1930s, women began to conquer their place in society, and fashion changed accordingly. Glasses were no longer just for reading and knitting, but a necessary style accessory for driving, visiting the cinema, walking, and trips outside the city. The distinctly feminine cat-eye design was created in the 1930s by American sculptor Altina Schinasi. Her inspiration was the Venetian masquerade, especially the character Harlequin from classical Italian comedy.

However, these frames are most associated with the aesthetic of the fifties—they fit perfectly into the "New Look" proclaimed by the Dior fashion house, with geometrically sharp but femininely elegant shapes that became the leitmotif of that decade. Mimicking Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and other style icons of the time, the cat-eye is an indispensable component. They still symbolize not only sensual but also self-sufficient femininity, giving the wearer confidence and strength.

3. "Clubmaster" Frames

This design is also often referred to as "browline" glasses because of their shape—they have a distinctly heavy upper part. For a long time, these frames, created in 1947, were used only for optical glasses. However, they entered sunglass fashion in the mid-eighties, thanks to the investigator played by Bruce Willis in the series "Moonlighting." Later, the popularity of the frames was revitalized by the fifties-era elegance and permissiveness of the series "Mad Men."

Currently, the classic "Clubmaster" design frames are manufactured by "Ray-Ban," although many other companies include variations of them in their collections. They are characterized by a cool retro mood that symbolizes intelligent rebelliousness.

4. Round Frames

The origins of this style can be traced back to the 13th and 14th centuries, when the first spectacle frames were created—initially, all glasses were round. Round sunglasses, in turn, appeared in mass production at the beginning of the 20th century—they were simple and practical. A couple of decades later, people's interest in sunglasses increased, and companies began to experiment—pronounced lines, design elements, colors... The practical, round frames simply seemed too boring to buyers.

In the sixties and seventies, with the advent of the counterculture, round glasses regained their popularity—it was a protest against consumer society and a return to simplicity. Hippies looked for them in "second-hand" stores and markets and in their grandparents' drawers, thus advocating for the reuse of things. These frames became a symbol of rebelliousness while simultaneously creating a connection with the intellectuals of the early 20th century. The most prominent representatives of this trend were John Lennon, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix, giving round sunglasses an aura of dreamers, creative personalities, and artists.

5. Wayfarer (Traveler) Sunglasses

Another frame story whose beginnings can be found in the "Ray-Ban" parent company, "Bausch & Lomb." These glasses were favored by the young, attractive Hollywood rebel, James Dean. In 1955, his character wore them in the movie "Rebel Without a Cause"—this film protested against the conservatism of the fifties and symbolized the restless spirit of the teenagers of that time. Furthermore, a month before the premiere, James Dean died in a car crash.

Wayfarer glasses can certainly be called a timeless classic, and in almost every decade since the fifties, a style icon who wore them daily can be found. Like round glasses, "Wayfarers" also became a symbol of counterculture in the sixties—they were worn by the Beatles and Bob Dylan. Moreover, in the eighties, "Bausch & Lomb" signed a contract with the Hollywood company "Unique Product Placement," which promoted the popularity of these frames on television and cinema. Can you imagine, for example, the "Blues Brothers" without these iconic glasses? When Michael Jackson's album "Bad" was released at the end of that decade, these glasses became part of his image. And at the turn of the century, the simple, classic frames found in "second-hand" stores appeared in the wardrobes of alternative music performers and their fans—for example, "The Smiths" and "Primal Scream."

You can try on these iconic glasses and choose your timeless classic at the "Bergamo" store in "Sky & More"—quality and original frames will not only look good but also last a long time.