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  Image: PERSOL 

 

 

 

 [Accessories](/style/accessories) 

 



 /  15 January 2025  

#  Trend Report: Pilot Sunnies  


 Matrix-style shades are now in the rear-view mirror. They’ve been overtaken by Ayrton Senna – the patron saint of pilot sunnies. The F1 legend’s softer aviators hark back to a golden era of classic cars and free-flowing champagne. Here’s why we’re sold…  
 

 



 

  Image: PERSOL 

 

 

 

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

 



 

 

 

 

> [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9cl-bjt7Z0/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by TOM FORD (@tomford)](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9cl-bjt7Z0/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)

  

 

## What’s The Story? 

  

 

In 1936, the US Air Force needed something better than traditional flying goggles at handling both strong sunlight and heavy fog. Together with [Bausch &amp; Lomb](https://www.bausch.com/), it came up with the [Ray-Ban Aviator.](https://www.ray-ban.com/uk/sunglasses/aviator) After WWII, frames became available to the public as surplus military stock and – probably owing to its association with victory and a famous picture of General Douglas MacArthur in the Philippines – the aviator style took flight. From Brando and Bowie to McQueen and McCartney, it landed on the faces of some of the 20th century’s biggest stars.

The pilot style of sunnies taking over today is a softer take on the aviator with something of [Ray-Ban’s chunkier Wayfarer](https://www.ray-ban.com/uk/sunglasses/wayfarer) about it (which makes sense given their shared roots in aviation). It’s defined by design tweaks in the 70s and 80s that introduced an exaggerated nose bridge, large flat lenses, a thicker rounded frame, and sometimes a brow bar on top. Chris Hemsworth’s [Carrera shades](https://en.carreraworld.com/collections/sunglasses-men) in *Rush* are a great example of an early pilot style.

 

## What’s Happening Now? 

  

 

Over the last five years, the prevailing trend in men’s sunnies has been *Matrix*-style slithers of acetate. We can thank the Hailey Biebers and Kendall Jenners of this world for that (yep, they influence men too) but these ‘thug life’ shades are now on their way out. It’s time to meet the larger frame you’re going to be seeing a lot more of this year.

Alessandro Michele – majestic creative director of Gucci until 2022 – started the 70s streak still running through menswear. Lately, it’s been [Tom Ford](https://www.tomford.com/), [Prada](https://www.prada.com/gb/en.html) and [Bottega Veneta](https://www.bottegaveneta.com/en-gb) pushing the 70s-born pilot style down the runway, while the recent Netflix series *Senna* brought the Brazilian race ace and his dazzling shades back into focus. Young scenesters have bought in and are now helping to usher in this new era of larger frames – check out [Reuben Larkin](https://www.instagram.com/reubenlarkin/?hl=en), [Thomas Meacock](https://www.instagram.com/thomas.meacock/?hl=en) and [Callum Mullin](https://www.instagram.com/callummullin/?hl=en) to see how they’re styling them.

 

 

 

> [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/C3vSkviID-E/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Andrew Georgiades (@andrewgeorgiades)](https://www.instagram.com/p/C3vSkviID-E/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)

  

 

 

## How To Get Involved 

  

 

Styling-wise, this trend meshes beautifully with the ongoing obsession with vintage tailoring. Think loose-fitting trousers, a rollneck, loafers and some impeccable pilot shades. Because the soft aviator originates in the 70s, an outfit that flirts with vintage while retaining a modern feel is the benchmark.

For some original pilot frames, try digging into [Depop](https://www.depop.com/gb/), [eBay](https://www.ebay.co.uk/), or [Vinted](https://www.vinted.co.uk/) with terms like “soft aviator”, “chunky aviator” or “pilot sunnies” – eBay can be especially good when searching with a specific agenda. Dive into your local vintage shops too, or have a look at the latest collections from Persol, Carrera and Bottega Veneta. We’ve also got some choice pairs for you here…

 

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.slman.com/tTiueUb5QmD23X3Ma2EAF5s4hr0=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fslman-trend-report-big-sunnie-credit-batt-maillie.jpg?itok=TGunFn7s)

 

 ](https://www.instagram.com/batt.maillie/?hl=en) 

@Batt.Maillie; @CallumMullin; @StucciGus

 

 

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.slman.com/Bi8eqvTHgx7bKdCq5kQ4qTEQjVc=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fslman-trend-report-big-sunnies-inspo-credit-callum-mullin_0.jpg?itok=kFyCW_AG)

 

 ](https://www.instagram.com/callummullin/?hl=en) 

 

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.slman.com/pTsiGtudyEOKbGSwcGv9ZNiRIII=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fslman-trend-report-big-sunnies-credit-stucci-gus-2.jpg?itok=9Eua6FQR)

 

 ](https://www.instagram.com/stuccigus/?hl=en) 

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

## SHOP THE EDIT 

  

 

 

 

> [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-ayNrAMpwb/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by D’nieccio Mitchell (@dnieccio)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-ayNrAMpwb/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)

  

 

 ![Heritage Rugby-Stripe Pilot Sunglasses from Ralph Lauren ](https://media.slman.com/dm-l8FHlH6du4uU6X8M76T0fkys=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fpolo-ralph-lauren-heritage-rugby-stripe-pilot-sunglasses.jpg?itok=JlRtYFJU)

 

[#### Heritage Rugby-Stripe Pilot Sunglasses](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100l7A5q/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ralphlauren.co.uk%2Fen%2Fheritage-rugby-stripe-pilot-sunglasses-3616852474509.html)

 

##### Ralph Lauren 



 

£148

 

 

 

 ![Drop Aviator Sunglasses from Bottega Veneta](https://media.slman.com/VBRQ6x5nJGn8L-M4PL0oqZV4vNc=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fbottega-veneta-drop-aviator-sunglasses-mytheresa.jpg?itok=JT_AR6L0)

 

[#### Drop Aviator Sunglasses](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=35663&murl=https%3A//www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/men/bottega-veneta-drop-aviator-sunglasses-brown-p00982347%3F)

 

##### Bottega Veneta



 

£375

 

 

 

 ![Vincent Sunglasses from Tom Ford](https://media.slman.com/_RWO0WxmVgwClR41YYOjRSXgG08=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Ftom-ford-brown-and-black-vincent.jpg?itok=8DXYdRJF)

 

[#### Vincent Sunglasses](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=41610&murl=https%3A//www.ssense.com/en-gb/men/product/tom-ford/brown-and-black-vincent-sunglasses/17718001)

 

##### Tom Ford



 

£230

 

 

 

 ![Sunglasses from Persol](https://media.slman.com/ZHXCz-5DuSa0jGFlYCVtWsVmLn0=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fpersol-po0202s-senna-series.jpg?itok=gywuApq3)

 

[#### Sunglasses](https://www.blickers.com/en/glasses/persol-po0202s-c57/6639859273170944/)

 

##### Persol



 

£189 *(were £272.77)*

 

 

 

 ![Moe Sunglasses from A.P.C](https://media.slman.com/IcxJDaXAz3_XnWTEu_2X_ufddOM=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fapc-moe-sunglasses-unisex.jpg?itok=tIM-lu5G)

 

[#### Moe Sunglasses](https://www.apcstore.co.uk/moe-sunglasses-unisex-cad-acabf-m75007.html)

 

##### A.P.C



 

£255

 

 

 

 ![ Maneval Sunglasses from RETROSUPERFUTURE](https://media.slman.com/ATCw6IJ2NdZmjirq3dJ2-E9l3CM=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fssense-retrosuperfuture-black-maneval-s.jpg?itok=xU55kKks)

 

[####  Maneval Sunglasses](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=41610&murl=https%3A//www.ssense.com/en-gb/men/product/super/black-maneval-sunglasses/17570991)

 

##### RETROSUPERFUTURE



 

£165

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 ![Howlin Sunglasses from Vallon](https://media.slman.com/3FRaXcsGFGx9nD9i_IbAjNeIpJc=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fvallon-howlin.jpg?itok=xPJSJwhS)

 

[#### Howlin Sunglasses](https://www.stuartslondon.com/vallon-howlin-tortoise-p62707/s436709)

 

##### Vallon



 

£109

 

 

 

 ![Druid Lodgepole Sunglasses from  Jacques Marie Mage](https://media.slman.com/DzWJXynit9-8gwxSVb47Snl_WI8=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fdruid-lodgepole-sunglasses.jpg?itok=ycMGJZzy)

 

[#### Druid Lodgepole Sunglasses](https://www.eye-oo.com/en-gb/products/jacques-marie-mage-druid-lodgepole?srsltid=AfmBOoqDtrGhd5tS-hC8JMkjoV7VHVPhhEo60ozFoRHG0guRVUiGCvMT)

 

#####  Jacques Marie Mage



 

£953

 

 

 

 ![9782 Sunglasses from Cutler & Gross](https://media.slman.com/5RgyHIEp2JSS1CGJ0eq2g1_nGss=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fcutler-and-gross-9782-aviator-style-acetate-sunglasses.jpg?itok=5VgxX9BY)

 

[#### 9782 Sunglasses](https://www.endclothing.com/gb/cutler-and-gross-9782-sunglasses-cgsn-9782-60-03.html)

 

##### Cutler &amp; Gross



 

£385

 

 

 

 ![Soft Aviator Sunglasses from Bottega Veneta](https://media.slman.com/sCkHkpT6OHwIN56WEbtpwMGYEe0=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fbottega-veneta-soft-aviator-sunglasses.jpg?itok=NYj9MlcN)

 

[#### Soft Aviator Sunglasses](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=35663&murl=https%3A//www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/men/bottega-veneta-bold-triangle-stud-aviator-sunglasses-green-p00982341%3F)

 

##### Bottega Veneta



 

£260

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

 

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