Ray-Ban

Founded in 1937 after lieutenant John MacCready had returned from a balloon flying adventure, complaining that the sun had done permanent damage to his eyes. He contacted Bausch & Lomb asking them to create a type of sunglasses that would not only provide superb protection, but also look elegant. On May 7, 1937, Bausch & Lomb officially took out the patent.

By 1941, the sunglasses had become popular with Naval aviators. Army Air Force aviators preferred the smaller, more-squarish, American optical, straight-temple glasses, which can be put on and removed even while wearing a flying helmet. The design was also popular as the bar across the bridge of the nose allowed them to keep a cigarette on it.

The Wayfarer was designed in 1952 by Raymond Stegeman, an inventor responsible for many earlier Ray-Ban styles. The design was a radically new shape, 'a mid-century classic to rival Eames chairs and Cadillac tail fins.'

Favoured by some of the century's snappiest dressers, from John Lennon and Bob Dylan to Hunter S Thompson and Jack Nicholson, Ray-Ban have become an American classic.

In 2001, the Wayfarer underwent a significant redesign, with the frames made smaller and less angular, and changed from acetate to a lighter injected plastic making them easier to wear.

Exceptional value for money, especially as the build quality is so high, and their heritage is so vast.