Just when it seems difficult to improve upon a timeless classic, the best brands step up to the plate and deliver reinvention in ever-more bold ways — if you’re lucky, that is. Ray-Ban is taking a tried-and-true original, the Ray-Ban Wayfarer, and revamping the iconic silhouette with a bold new set of colorblock schemes just as the mercury starts to climb.
Style staples like the Ray-Ban Aviator have received a reboot of their own in recent years, with plenty of new eye-catching details, and the latest upgrade to the Ray-Ban Wayfarer blends the best of the old and the new.
The silhouette has proven legendary over the years, worn by everyone from Bob Dylan to John Lennon and, of course, James Dean, so the bar to clear was set quite high — to say the least.
As Ray-Ban says of the style first seen in the ’50s, it’s been updated for the present day, in an age where making a statement comes down to the right accessories and the small — yet bold — details.
“The Wayfarer has been a symbol of youth culture from the rock revolution of the ‘60s to the art scene of the ‘80s, and during the forefront of ‘90s hip-hop,” Ray-Ban said in a statement. “The Wayfarer now lands in 2022 with an extra bright splash.”
That extra bright splash centers around four transparent colorblocked schemes, including a refreshing green-on-green combination and a sharp transparent blue number with vivid red lenses.
Each set of shades stands out fittingly in a campaign designed by Los Angeles artist and creative director Donna Adi.
Notably, each set of frames comes with a Ray-Ban cord for ease of rocking these stylish shades on the go — you might say it’s another fitting nod to the past, and to the extremely on-trend ’90s.
Ray-Ban didn’t skimp on the specs of the classic Wayfarer, either.
The new and improved Wayfarer comes complete with your choice of two lens options: The Chromance lenses in particular are outfitted with “contrast enhancement,” buoyed by what the brand says is a polarizing filter designed to provide “better clarity and elevate colors.”
There’s also the option to outfit your new Wayfarer sunglasses with transition lenses that adapt seamlessly between indoor and outdoor settings in all types of light — as Ray-Ban notes, “from day to night you’re always on.”
The legendary appeal of Ray-Ban, beloved by rebels and style icons, has plenty going for it beyond just product specs and style — the colorblocked, limited-edition Ray-Ban Wayfarers retail for a mere $173, available online through the brand, at Ray-Ban stores and at a variety of wholesale retailers.
That’s a deal that’s just too good to pass up, in our book. You could certainly say things are looking up already with a modern, fresh take on an enduring style staple.
