Ray-Ban is an iconic eyewear brand that dates back to the early 20th century. Let’s look at the history of these products and focus on popular models, but also on how to avoid buying fake versions.
A brief look at the history of Ray-Ban
Ray-Ban is a sunglasses and glasses brand from the USA. It was founded by Bausch&Lomb in 1937. It became popular in the 1950s and 1960s thanks to the films with ‘rebel’ James Dean, ‘beautiful’ Audrey Hepburn, who wore a Wayfarer model in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), or thanks to Peter Fonda, who wore Olympian I and II models in Easy Rider (1969), which is still a cult classic today.
Ray-Ban eyewear was the most popular in the 1980s, this was largely thanks to Top Gun (1986), where the Aviator style shot to fame. However, their popularity began to decrease again with time. Although Matrix (1999) changed that at the turn of the millennium, Bausch&Lomb sold the brand in the year of this film’s premiere to Italian company Luxottica, who still own it today and most likely don’t regret the purchase.
About Ray-Ban glasses
Ray-Ban glasses achieved their iconic status for many reasons, not only because of their connection to cult classics. Why are this brand’s products so popular?
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Timeless, interesting design – Popular models such as the Wayfarer are visually interesting and timeless. This model has been popular for over 70 years, and several generations have enjoyed wearing them!
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A varied range of colours and shapes – While Wayfarer models mainly have black frames, other Ray-Ban glasses come in different colour versions. Individual products may also differ in glass colour, making them suitable for various activities. The shapes are also diverse, making them suitable for all types of faces, including oval, round, square, and triangular.
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Various frame types – Ray-Ban glasses can have solid frames, which may be full-frame, half-frame, or rimless models. The choice depends on your personal preference for glasses or sunglasses.
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The glasses can be fully customised – On the manufacturer’s website, you have the opportunity to fully customise glasses to your specific requirements. You can choose from various frames, lenses, or even engraving options.
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Models for all – Ray-Ban offers unisex models, as well as glasses designed specifically for men and women. Additionally, they offer a wide range of glasses for boys and girls.
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High-quality materials – Ray-Ban glasses are made from high-quality metal, durable plastic, or carbon. Although they are not the cheapest in the market segment, they are highly durable and can last an extremely long time without damage.
Popular Ray-Ban models
Ray-Ban glasses come in various models, some of which are exceedingly popular, practically globally. This statement is especially true in relation to sunglasses. Which model series are currently the most popular?
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Ray-Ban Aviator – This brand’s first model was originally designed for American pilots. The individual variants are still called ‘aviators’ to this day. They have become iconic glasses that have been stylish for over 80 years, and their popularity remains unchanged today.
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Ray-Ban Wayfarer – The first Wayfarers were introduced in 1952 and were created by Raymond Stegeman. They have a typical shape, high-quality, and durable plastic frames. They are popular for their retro style that captures attention at first glance.
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Ray-Ban Erika – Another timeless type of retro glasses, with new models constantly appearing. Despite the name, they come in male, female, and unisex versions, as well as models suitable for your offspring of both genders.
Note: Smart glasses called Ray-Ban Stories were created in 2021 and developed together with Facebook Reality Labs. They feature Bluetooth headphones or a built-in camera, therefore discussions have taken place regarding privacy problems and the possibility of abuse.
Iconic Ray-Ban Aviator
Ray-Ban Wayfarer
Ray-Ban Erika glasses are also suitable for children
Beware of fake versions!
Ray-Ban, like other iconic brands, has had problems with fakes over the long term, these are often sold on fraudulent websites. You can recognise them by the fact that they offer unrealistically low prices. So be careful when buying Ray-Ban glasses and be sure not to buy them for a suspicious price on suspicious-looking websites. On the contrary, you should only buy from verified traders.
Due to the fraud situation, Luxottica introduced the Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) Policy in 2016. Although the minimum price of each model is not stated anywhere, Ray-Ban glasses ads with extreme discounts are prohibited. When buying these products, remember that even the cheapest models cost over 1,000 CZK, but prices are usually much higher. Conversely, when buying at unusually low prices, you risk buying counterfeit goods.