We all know that sunglasses do a sterling job of protecting our eyes from harmful UV rays. However, they also are iconic fashion statements that help define a look and create a persona.
Nowhere is this more evident than in popular culture, which, over the years, has played a major role in influencing the fashion choices of millions of people.
From classic Hollywood blockbusters to Emmy-winning music videos, there are many instances of sunglasses causing quite a stir in the worlds of film and music.
Here are eight of the most iconic moments that are indelibly etched in the annals of history.
Al Pacino in Scarface
Al Pacino has worn sunglasses in a few films, including Carlito’s Way, Heat, and Danny Collins. However, his most memorable cinematic role with shades on is in the 1983 classic Scarface, where he donned an iconic pair of Porsche Design 5622 sunglasses.
These Men’s Carrera sunglasses were the epitome of style during the 1980s, featuring thick frames and square lenses.
Unfortunately, they are not made anymore, but they were big, ballsy, and, quite frankly, badass – just like his character Tony Malone.
Slash (Guns ‘n’ Roses)
The legendary guitarist from Guns ‘n’ Roses is known for the incredible melodies, harmonic structure, and texture he brings to their songs, most notably in Estranged, Locomotive, and Paradise City.
However, Slash, who was born in London, is also renowned for his signature top hat, which he usually wears along with a cool pair of aviators.
If you can remember that scene in the November Rain video when he goes outside of the quaint little church to perform the memorable guitar solo, you’ll know what we mean.
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s
If you were to ask someone to name a film moment where someone wore sunglasses, Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s is sure to be regularly mentioned.
The sleek, slightly rounded, but overall square-shaped sunnies she rocked so elegantly complimented her stunning dress and beautiful features. So, it is no surprise that it has become a part of cinematic history and an international symbol of style and sophistication that has transcended generations since the film came out in 1961.
In fact, Hepburn was such a style icon she was even credited as the inspiration for the Louis Vuitton Speedy 25 handbag that was launched.
Roy Orbison
Buddy Holly might have been known for his glasses, but the great Roy Orbison will forever be synonymous with sunglasses.
Undoubtedly one of the godfathers of rock and roll, he famously wore Ray Ban Wayfarers for hundreds of performances of classic tunes like Pretty Woman, Only the Lonely, and Crying.
However, he didn’t always wear them. Like Holly, he used to adorn prescription glasses to help him see properly. But in 1963, while on tour with The Beatles, he was forced to take the stage in them due to leaving his favourite pair of corrective glasses on a plane.
While he considered the incident embarrassing at the time, it did instantly create one of the music industry’s most defining looks.
Tom Cruise in Top Gun
If people didn’t say Audrey Hepburn when asked to name a famous movie star in sunglasses, then there is a good chance they would say Tom Cruise in Top Gun instead.
While the aviators we wore in this Hollywood blockbuster offered excellent protection for his eyes, it also helped him to exude an air of confidence, charisma and cool that most men would love to be able to emulate.
Military-inspired in its design and with reflective lenses that hinted at an air of mystery, the shades conveyed a sense of daring, adventure, and sexiness that sparked a global eyewear fashion trend that lives on today.
John Lennon
It goes without saying that John Lennon is one of the most celebrated and famous musicians of all time. And while he was a big advocate for peace, love, and social consciousness, he was also renowned for wearing round sunglasses that were barely wide enough to cover his eyes (not recommended now for anything other than fashion, by the way!).
Interestingly, there was evidence to suggest that Lennon was extremely near-sighted to the point that he was thought to be legally blind, which might explain why he increasingly wasn’t seen without them in the latter years of his life.
Carrie-Anne Moss in The Matrix
When The Matrix hit the cinema screens in 1999, it not only completely redefined how action films were made but also launched an exciting new look into popular culture.
The latter occurred due to Carrie-Anne Moss’s attention-grabbing wraparound sunglasses, which were a key part of her character’s tactical allure and overall mystique.
Its minimalist and sleek design helped her to maintain a powerful, enigmatic, and compelling image that resonated with fans and fashionistas around the world.
Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain, the iconic frontman of Nirvana, helped to define a new genre of ‘grunge’ music in the 1990s thanks to songs like Smells Like Teen Spirit, Come As You Are, and Lithium.
Tragically, he committed suicide at the age of 27. But while that was over 30 years ago, the memory of the charismatic frontman lives on.
One enduring part of it is the circular sunglasses he wore, which provided a stylish contrast to his otherwise unkempt appearance.
Ironically, they became a symbol of anti-fashion and nonconformism and helped to define the persona of a man who lay somewhere between a feisty rock star, a musical genius, and a tortured artist.
