Sunglasses have always been as much about style statements as they’ve been about protecting eyes. There’s just something about a great pair of sunglasses. Whether flamboyant or relaxed, every pair has its own mood, which means a large variety of personalities can be channeled by the wearer.

Hollywood has had a long and loving relationship with sunglasses. Directors, stylists, and actors have loved to highlight a character through sunglasses because it allows them to communicate something to their audience. Some of these sunglasses worn by the most iconic characters in the 90's and early ‘00s movies have gotten ‘cult’ or ‘iconic’ sunglasses status, and rightly so. These glasses have turned ordinary characters into enduring ones that continue to inspire fashion trends even today. There is a long list of questions that can pop into your mind while choosing the right pair of sunglasses, like: classic vs. modern, browline vs square frame, etc. Take a scroll through to see our top 5 iconic sunglasses edit and see if there’s a pair you've always wanted to make an appearance in.

Audrey Hepburn’s Oversized Cat-eye sunglasses in Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961)

We kick off the list of top celeb-inspired types of sunglasses frames with a cult favorite movie - Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Audrey Hepburn plastered herself (and her amazing eyebrows) onto everyone’s hearts with her beautifully broken, naive, pastry-eating socialite character. Other than her hats and pearls, what complemented her outlandish get-ups most were her oversized cat-eye sunglasses. These sunglasses played a huge role in turning Audrey into the winsome and elegant Holly Golightly! 

Cat-Eyes that were originally born in the 1950's debuted as prescription glasses, but they made it into sunglasses territory soon after in the early '60s. Since then, this eternal beauty has proven itself a weird and wonderful classic, time and again.  

 

 

Brad Pitt’s Red Tinted Chunky Sunglasses in Fight Club (1999)

This cult classic movie based on Chuck Palahniuk’s amazing novel is as fresh today as it was 20 years ago. Brad Pitt, who played both protagonist and antagonist Tyler Durden, had a menacing aura thanks to his signature red lensed sunglasses. This dark, violent story distinguished itself largely with striking visuals and Brad's outfits (or lack of outfit…did somebody say 8 pack?). Tyler Durden’s weird sunglasses were a key visual into his brashly wild personality.

 

Blues Brothers Wayfarers (1980s)

These classic rectangle shaped sunglasses emerged in the 1950s and have literally come back into style every decade since.  Made of thick acetate, these are one of the most versatile sunglasses designs of all time They are quite possibly the most frequently donned shades in the film business as well. During the mid-1900's, this style was worn by musicians like Bob Dylan and actors like James Dean. In the 70’s the Ramones and Debbie Harry took on this classic and...as if this was not enough…who can forget Matthew Broderick’s black square frames in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986).

 

Bruce Willis in the television series, Moonlighting (1985)

Often referred to as browline or half-frame glasses, this style was hugely popular in the 1950's and 60's. This classic, retro option has been famously associated with many TV and film celebrities, socialites, musicians like Beyonce, and even activists like Malcolm X. Characterized by their rounded lenses and their distinctive frames, browlines are also one of the best sunglasses for small faces. The whip-smart David Addison Jr., played by (a hot, young) Bruce Willis in Moonlighting won over an entire generation and then some, with his sarcasm and iconic sunglasses…and just like these sunglasses...Moonlighting still stands as one of the all-time greats to this day.

 

 

Tom Cruise’s Aviators in Top Gun (1986)

We just couldn’t end this list without mentioning Top Gun and Tom Cruise’s break-out role as Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. The swaggering fighter pilot sparked the popularity of aviation-inspired styles in the 1980's, and thus the aviator became a mainstream accessory.

Originally made for pilots during World War II, aviator sunglasses typically feature thin wire frames and a double bridge. They were first made with dark lenses to prevent too much light from entering the eyes, whilst providing peripheral views; however, in the modern day we have all kinds of lens color variants in aviators-- even mirrored and clear versions! The classic, square and teardrop shape of these sunglasses is bound to suit almost any face shape…seriously, these look good on everyone!!

 

While you may not be a fighter pilot or a glamorous socialite, you can (and should) still dress and feel like one :)  We have genuine vintage square frames, browlines, cat-eye sunglasses, aviators and so many more iconic styles. Head to Giantvintage.com and find the perfect pair for you today!