Who Wore It Best? Iconic Actors In Men’s Vintage Sunglasses

Since the inception of the silver screen, iconic fashion has made a deep impression on people’s minds. Iconic imagery such as Marilyn Monroe’s dress in The Seven Year Itch or Bruce Willis’ tank top from Die Hard sticks in people’s minds even if they have never seen the original films.

The item that really brings together a lot of iconic looks in films and television is the sunglasses that accompany the outfit. Here at Ed & Sarna Vintage Eyewear, we live for classic vintage shades. Here is a selection of some of our favourite sunglass choices in media, and the actors behind them. 

Tom Cruise - Top Gun - Aviator Frames

As the first bars of Kenny Loggins' Danger Zone kicks in, you know you’re in for 110 minutes of intense action, 80s bravado and Tom Cruise in his prime. Top Gun has become a pop culture juggernaut, a gigantic commercial hit and producing one of the best movie soundtracks of all time. And another aspect that is just as iconic, is seeing Tom Cruise shielding his eyes from the California sun in a pair of aviators.

Aviator frame glasses were first introduced in the 30s to help prevent the sun from getting in the eyes of US Air Force pilots. Soon after they went on sale to the public, and have remained popular ever since. Practicality soon turned to a fashion perspective, with films such as Top Gun and Taxi Driver commonly cited as big reasons why the style saw such success.

The aviator style has evolved over the years to introduce slightly different shapes, lenses and tints, but sometimes nothing beats vintage originals, so check out our selection of aviator frames.

Keanu Reeves - The Matrix - Rimless Richard Walker Frames

It’s hard to imagine The Matrix without the outfits commonly worn by the cast. Black, black and more black seemed to be the costume department's brief, as Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss and Laurence Fishburne donned long dusters, leather jumpsuits, combat boots and of course, the shades. Neo’s sunglasses instantly became a hit of the late 90s and early 2000s style, as cyberpunk, grunge, new-wave and goth fashion combined into one great look.

Neo’s sunglasses were an entirely original pair designed by Richard Walker, so were not commonly available at the time of the film's release. Since then the rimless lens style with a bent wire frame has become readily available as people seek to get the look. For some similar styles, check out the 90s section of our site.

Jean Reno - Léon - Jean Paul Gaultier Round Frames

Bursting onto the scene in 1995 was an action-thriller with an edge. Léon starred Jean Reno as a professional hitman who takes in a 12-year-old (Natalie Portman in her film debut) after her family is murdered. Both stylish and violent, one of the most iconic images from the film is Jean Reno in his signature sunglasses. 

In a time when aviators and large glasses were popular, Léon changed things up by having its protagonist decked out in a pair of round Jean Paul Gaultier sunglasses. Actually a model taken from a children’s collection, the glasses launched a resurgence in the round style made famous in the 60s by the likes of John Lennon. Shop for Jean Paul Gaultier frames from Ed & Sarna Vintage Eyewear today. We might not have children’s frames like Reno wore, but we do have never-worn, vintage sunglasses in a range of great styles.

Brad Pitt - Fight Club - Oliver People Coloured Lenses

From the instant he first appears onscreen as Tyler Durden in Fight Club, Brad Pitt instantly creates an iconic camera image. The Secret to the look? That red, leather jacket and the coloured sunglasses. While classic tinted lenses were very popular throughout the 20th century, block colours such as those worn in Fight Club were not seen as a fashion staple until the film was released.

The blood-red lenses and unique frame instantly became a standout, with the titanium glasses now selling for nearly £2000 online for those seeking pairs from this period and in the exact style. Luckily you can get a similar vibe on our website for a lot less. You can shop by tint in our filters, finding a coloured lens to suit you.

Vintage Glasses From Ed & Sarna

Whether you’re looking to emulate your favourite star, or are trying to find an iconic pair of glasses to become your signature image, Ed & Sarna Vintage Eyewear is the place to be! We have thousands of vintage designer glasses for sale, all of them genuine unworn frames from across the decades.

You can find those perfect 80s aviators for that Top Gun look, or be bold with some Jean Paul Gaultier shades that will bring memories of the 90s flooding back. Whatever brand, style or decade you’re after, we can pretty much guarantee you’ll find a pair that will suit you.