The Two Styles Every Man Wants Right Now: Aviators & Retro Frames

Why the two most-searched sunglasses styles in the world are both decades old, what that tells you about real style — and how to wear them without looking like a costume.

Here's something the trend charts won't stop saying: the most wanted sunglasses on the planet right now aren't new. They're the aviator — born in the 1930s — and the retro frame, pulled straight from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Think about that. In an industry that invents a "new" shape every season, men keep going back to the same two silhouettes their grandfathers wore. That's not nostalgia. That's proof.

At YXZ Studios — founded by two best friends who saw the world through a different lens — we have a theory about why. Trends are designed to expire. These two never did, because they were never about fashion in the first place. They were about how a man carries himself. And that doesn't go out of style.

The Aviator — the frame that never asked for permission

The aviator wasn't designed by a fashion house. It was designed for pilots — men who needed full coverage, zero glare, and nothing that got in the way. The style came later, and it came from the men wearing them: pilots, racers, officers. Men mid-action.

That origin is exactly why it still works. The aviator carries an attitude no other frame has — capable, unbothered, slightly dangerous in the best way. Teardrop lenses, thin metal frame, that unmistakable double bridge. Put one on and something in your posture changes. That's not marketing. Try it.

Who it's for: honestly, almost everyone — the aviator flatters more face shapes than any other silhouette, which is half the reason it's survived 90 years.

How to wear it now: keep the rest simple. The aviator does the talking. White tee, open collar, plain knit — the frame turns basic into deliberate.

The mistake to avoid: oversized mirrored lenses with a loud outfit. That's a costume. The modern aviator is worn quietly.

The Retro Frame — proof that confidence is circular

Every retro frame — the bold squared 70s silhouette, the rounded 60s shape, the chunky acetate look — comes from an era when men dressed with more intent than they do now. No athleisure default. No hiding. You got dressed, and it meant something.

That's what men are actually buying when they buy retro: not the decade, the intent. A retro frame says you chose your look on purpose — and in a sea of identical minimal frames, purpose stands out.

Who it's for: the man with his own taste. If your style has ever been called "different" as a compliment, retro is your lane.

How to wear it now: anchor it in the present. Retro frame + modern fit = style. Retro frame + retro everything = fancy dress. One vintage element at a time.

The mistake to avoid: playing it too safe. A retro frame that's shy defeats the point. If you're going retro, commit to the shape.

Why you should own both

Here's the thing about the two most sought-after styles in the world: they're sought after for opposite reasons.

The aviator is universal — the frame that works on nearly every face, with nearly everything, in nearly every setting. The retro frame is personal — the one that makes your look unmistakably yours. One is your handshake. The other is your signature.

A man with both never has a wrong day. Aviator for the drive, the trip, the everyday. Retro for the nights and the moments you want remembered.

The timing part

Right now at YXZ Studios: buy 3, get 1 free.

So here's the play — the aviator, the retro frame, and whichever third style is missing from your rotation. The fourth pair is on us. Every frame designed for real men and real faces, built to be worn daily, not saved for occasions.

When a style sells out, it's gone for good.

See it your way.