Aviator sunglasses (also known as "Pilot shades") They are characterized by dark, often reflective lenses having an area two or three times the area of the eye socket, and metal frames with either paddles or wire temples which hook behind the ears. Contemporary models are often polarized (although wearing polarized sunglasses for flying is unwise since they may mask the light glinting off an oncoming aircraft), as well as blocking the information on most modern glass cockpit displays.

They were given their name due to their oblique teardrop shape, which matched those of the smoked-lens flying goggles which Ray-Ban was then selling to the Army and Navy. One undesirable result of wearing these goggles was the mismatched tan (dark on the face, white around the eyes) which developed.

Legend claims that the need arose for aviator-style sunglasses because military pilots found that sun and glare protection would be helpful to aid them during day missions and dogfights However, pilots of the time did not wear sunglasses while flying. The popularity of the glasses sky-rocketed as many celebrities began wearing the style of sunglasses. The style has been popular since the 1960s, but became even more so in the 1980s following pop culture references and use by celebrities in films like Top Gun, where  Tom Cruise sported them.

The large lenses are not straight as in glasses but bulge out slightly. The design attempts to cover the entire range of the eye and prevent as much light as possible from entering the eye socket from any angle. Aviators are popular with military and civilian aviators alike because they work quite well. Law enforcement officers have also taken a liking to the glasses for many reasons including their excellent cancellation of glare and prevention of eye contact  Tom Cruise made them famous again back in the 80's with "Top Gun"