TIMELESS DESIGN
RAY-BAN WAYFARER
When asked to choose a product I would consider ‘Great’ design one of the first products that came into my mind was the Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses that I recently bought. First released back in 1952, these glasses have remained a popular fashion icon for 70 years. These specific glasses feature a compact folding design allowing these bulky sunglasses to fit into your pocket, making them easy to take on the go.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s, 1961Bob DylanMarilyn MonroeThe Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses are arguably the most recognisable sunglasses ever made. They first became popular in the 50s and 60s due to their more striking design and their appearance in popular pop culture. Before the wayfarers, most sunglasses were made from metal frames. This was a revolutionary new design using plastic as the main material for the frames. This made them stand out making them popular with many celebrities of the time who viewed them as anti-establishment. Rebelling against the norm of traditional metal sunglasses. They were worn famously by Audrey Hepburn in 1961’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s as well as being sported by celebrities of the time like Bob Dylan and Marilyn Monroe.
Risky Business, 1983The Blues Brothers, 1980The Breakfast Club, 1985This trend died down for a short while but continued with another burst of popularity in the 80s appearing in 1980’s The Blues Brothers, 1983’s Risky Business and 1985’s The Breakfast Club. The Blues Brothers was probably the first time I became aware of these glasses. Impressed by how effortlessly cool they looked.
The Wolf of Wall Street, 2013 Taylor SwiftCarlos Sainz & Charles Leclerc To this day these glasses still appear in popular movies such as the Wolf of Wall Street, from 2013. They can be seen on the faces of celebrities ranging from pop superstars like Taylor Swift to Formular One drivers like Charles Leclerc. It’s a design that anyone can wear, that goes with anything, and I think that is great. A testament to the original design.
The modern Wayfarer glasses feature thick black frames made from cellulose propionate, a plastic that's derived from wood pulp. These specific glasses have the classic green tinted lenses. The side arms and right lens feature Ray-Ban branding but the instantly recognisable silhouette is what gives these glasses away.
So, the real reason I bought this specific pair, is because of the nifty folding feature. If anything, I’m a sucker for silly little things like this. When I am out and about, I like to carry as few items as possible. Things I do take with me ideally would be able to fit in my pocket. I want to be able to carry anything I’d ever need in my pockets. The glasses still feature the same classic design but have three extra hinges added allowing them to fold down into a hard case, roughly the size of a pack of cigarettes. It can slide into a pocket easily and is much less of a burden than a full-sized glasses case. The black plastic and bulkier design of the wayfarer allow these hinges to go relatively unnoticed, only creating a small seam on the outside. This is only noticeable if you were looking for it and I think these glasses do a good job of adding this functionality without sacrificing the look of the product.
There are so many examples of timeless design like these glasses, updated to fit the modern market. I think products like these are important. So much of our society specifically in the fashion industry follow what is popular and what is trending now. When the trend is over these products usually get cast aside and go to waste. I think products like these with iconic designs are important in helping prevent over consumption. Giving you something you know you can rely on for years to come.
Levis 501Converse All StarDoc Martens 1461These are some more examples of what I would consider timeless design, having personally bought one or more of each of them over the years. You can’t go wrong with a pair of Levi’s jeans in the original 501 fit. They were in style 50 years ago and have seen a resurgence many times along the years. Fashion trends come and go but classics like these stand the test of time. The Converse All Star, as popular now as it was in the 70s. Updated with modern designs, patterns and colours this shoe has adapted to fit into the changing industry and market. Time and time again, the simple classic design can be seen on feet across the world. Another example would be any kind of Doc Marten boot. How these products have been adopted over the years has solidified them in popular culture. If you take care of them, they can last you a lifetime. My dad still owns a pair of Docs he bought when he was my age, which is insane to me. Not only are they in relatively good shape, but they are also just as fashionable today as they were when he first bought them.
I do resent that the quality of these products is arguably worse than they used to be, but I like the idea that I can buy a pair of jeans, boots or sunglasses and wear them for a significant portion of my life without feeling like I’m out of touch.