Aviator sunglasses: who they suit and how to wear them

Short answer: Aviator sunglasses suit heart-shaped, oval and square faces best. The teardrop lens is wider at the bottom, so it balances a broad forehead and softens a strong jaw. Round faces can wear aviators too if the lens has a straighter, more angular outline, and small faces need a compact frame rather than a big classic pilot. Then let the fit decide: frame width close to your face width, a straight top line at your brows and lenses that do not touch your cheeks when you smile. Our aviator model Lai gives you real millimetres to compare: 57□17-145, frame width 137 mm.

What makes a frame an aviator

An aviator is easy to recognise: a straight or slightly curved top line, a lens that drops into a teardrop at the bottom and, on most models, a double bridge. The shape was first designed for pilots – the straight top did not clash with a helmet, and the deep lens covered the eye when looking down at the instruments. Traditionally the frame is thin wire, but today you also find aviators in plastic, with a moulded nose bridge instead of nose pads. The shape has been part of every decade since, which is why it appears in our guide to retro and vintage sunglasses.

See all our aviator sunglasses. Every ECO SHADES pair has UV400 lenses in recycled PMMA. Our lenses are not polarised; polarisation cuts glare on water and wet roads, but it does not replace UV protection. Questions about our materials or UV protection? Just contact us.

Who aviator sunglasses suit

Opticians start from balance. The eyewear retailer Warby Parker recommends aviators for heart-shaped faces and says wider styles like aviators balance an oval face. The German optician chain Rottler explains why they work on heart shapes: the lens is wider at the bottom and evens out a broad forehead. The eyewear guide Blickcheck adds a tip for round faces – choose an aviator whose straight top turns into the lower part at a clear angle rather than in one soft curve.

• Heart-shaped face: The classic match. A wide forehead and a narrow chin are balanced by a lens that carries more width at the bottom. Choose a medium size, not an oversized pilot.
• Oval face: Almost any aviator works. Keep the frame in proportion – it should not reach past the sides of your face.
• Square face: The soft teardrop curve takes the edge off a strong jaw. A thin rim keeps the look clean.
• Round face: Possible, with contrast. Go for a flatter, more angular aviator outline and avoid very wide, very round teardrops. If you want even more contrast, compare our guide to round sunglasses and see why opposites work.
• Triangle or bottom-heavy face: Here opinions differ. The optician chain Fielmann advises against drop-shaped lenses when the lower part of the face is widest, so pick an aviator with a strong top line and a lens that does not drop too low – or another shape.
• Small or narrow face: A classic large pilot can look heavy. Look for a compact lens and a frame width that matches your face; our guide to sunglasses for small faces goes into the numbers.

Not sure which face shape you have? Our guide to which sunglasses suit my face walks you through it. These are guidelines, not rules – the aviator you love wearing is the right one.

Metal or plastic: how to wear an aviator today

A wire aviator is the lightest, most classic version, with adjustable nose pads. A plastic aviator keeps the teardrop and double bridge but gives the rim more definition and colour, and it rests on a moulded bridge instead of pads. That makes it feel a little more modern and less like a costume. Both work with a white T-shirt and denim, a leather or suede jacket, or a simple coat. Black reads sharp and graphic, grey and blue feel calm, and a clear frame makes the shape look lighter and fresher.

Because aviator lenses are tall, fit matters more than with most shapes:

1. Frame width first. The outer edges should sit roughly at the widest part of your face, not beyond it.
2. Read the temple stamp. Lens width □ bridge – temple length, for example 57□17-145 on Lai. Our guide on how to measure sunglasses shows how to compare it with a pair you already own.
3. Top line at the brows. The straight top should follow your eyebrows. With sunglasses, brows should be either fully covered or fully visible, not cut in half.
4. Smile test. The teardrop must not rest on your cheeks when you smile – otherwise the frame lifts, slides and smudges.
5. Bridge check. A plastic aviator sits on its moulded bridge, so it should rest evenly on your nose without gaps. If it sits too low, try a pair with a narrower bridge.
6. Check the product page. UV400, CE, UKCA and FDA approval and the lens category are listed per product.

ECO SHADES aviator sunglasses: Lai

Lai is our aviator: the pilot silhouette translated into recycled plastics, with the double bridge and a deliberately thin, streamlined rim. The front is rPCTG, the temples are rCP and the lenses are rPMMA, all part of our recycled collection. It has 5-barrel optical hinges, hidden wire cores and friction-lock screws, so the temples stay firm for years. Size 57□17-145, frame width 137 mm, Medium fit, Base 4, UV400 lenses in Category 3 on every colour.

Lai is not a deep teardrop: its lenses are squarer, with a flat top bar across the double bridge and only a gently rounded lower edge – a navigator-style aviator. That more angular outline is exactly what opticians suggest for round faces, and it works just as well on oval and square faces.

• Lai Green: a clear, transparent frame with green lenses – light and fresh, and the pair featured here.
• Lai Black: a black frame with grey lenses – the sharpest and most classic, easy to wear with everything.
• Lai Grey: a translucent grey frame with dark lenses – calm and understated.
• Lai Blue: a translucent blue frame with grey lenses – a fresh colour that still keeps the aviator easy to wear.

At 137 mm, Lai suits medium faces. If your face is clearly narrower, measure your current pair first and compare the frame width before you choose.

Quick FAQ

Who looks good in aviator sunglasses?

Above all heart-shaped, oval and square faces. Round faces should pick a more angular aviator, and small faces a compact one.

Do aviator sunglasses suit women?

Yes. The aviator is a unisex shape. What matters is face shape and size, not gender – a compact, medium aviator works on many women's faces.

Can you get aviator sunglasses without nose pads?

Yes. Plastic aviators like Lai have a moulded nose bridge instead of adjustable pads. They feel lighter on the nose but cannot be fine-tuned, so check the bridge width (17 mm on Lai).

Are ECO SHADES aviator sunglasses polarised?

No. ECO SHADES lenses are not polarised. Lai has UV400 lenses in Category 3.

Every ECO SHADES pair comes with UV400 lenses and a 2-year warranty, and our sunglasses are CE, UKCA and FDA approved. We have 30 years of optical experience and 20,000+ happy customers behind our designs. An aviator works when the teardrop clears your cheeks and the width matches your face – measure first, then pick your colour.