Has Joe Biden Become an Unlikely Style Icon For His Choice of Eyewear?

Glasses wearers were once considered as a parallel to those who were socially inept, but this outdated view has been smashed through by the stars and celebrities who’s eyewear game has been the topic of conversation in tv, movies and, ahem, political rallies.

It has now been four months since the inauguration of the 46th president of the United States, Joe Biden, but it’s not just his political standing that has been prone to attention. Being the man who established the National Day of Unity, it’s fair to say that the pass of this proclamation hasn‘t been the only thing that has unified us, but his solid accessory choice.

Paired with his charisma, President Biden has become a sunglasses ambassador for the classic Ray-Ban Aviators, with the time honoured black lenses and gold trim of course. Wearing them throughout his vice presidency, when supporting President Barack Obama, he has carried his strong sunglasses game through to his seventies and indeed his current presidency.

What has come to be a classic eyewear staple in common pop culture, it’s not just reflective of Maverick from Top Gun anymore, but now the oldest President of the United States of America, ever in history. With his first post on Instagram in 2014 showcasing the Ray Bans on his desk, this eyewear has now become a staple in the Joe Biden starter pack and has continued to make an appearance, not only in his social media feeds, but in his day to day activities.

(Image: Instagram)

The Presidential Relationship with Ray-Bans

Joe Biden isn’t the first political leader to make Ray-Bans his go-to accessory. John F.Kennedy was known for wearing his Ray-Ban Wayfarers which he was known to wear whilst he was sailing. Continuing to adorn Ray-Bans was upheld by George W.Bush who often chose to wear round frames. The featured Ray-ban then didn’t disappoint and has been worn by former President Barack Obama. Alternating between black Wayfarers and an athletic glasses look, Lis Smith labelled Obama’s choice

of eyewear as being “the biggest dad sunglasses”. With sunglasses being an accessory that can reflect personality, it is often considered a go to staple within the male presidential fashion repertoire without being too overwhelming or distracting.

(Image: Statista)

The History of the Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses

The Aviator was originally developed as a lightweight alternative to goggles in the military during World War II. Known as ‘pilots glasses’ the aviator glasses were developed by Bausch & Lomb and gained the name aviator because of this. These sunglasses were noted for their sleek design and lightweight features. They were trademarked as Ray-Bans and are now known as a classic sunglasses design in the fashion industry and eyewear world.

The popularity of aviators in the commercial world started to pick up pace in the 1950’s and then the coloured variations of them allowed their popularity to keep growing and growing throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s. Worn by celebrities such as Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson, it was clear that these shades weren’t reserved as military wear anymore.

Elvis Presley wore a pair of Ray-Bans when visiting President Nixon, so the glasses are definitely used to being in the company of political leaders. Making an appearance at 1984 Grammys Michael Jackson wore his Ray-Ban’s when he won eight Grammy awards.

Following on to Tom Cruise then rocking them in Top Gun, these glasses have become representative of the older generations and have had a place at a range of monumental events over the years. The icons and notable people who have chosen this supreme eyewear style have also been considered fashion symbols in their own way, which makes Joe Biden’s entry into this club even more of a pleasant surprise.

Joe Biden’s Merchandise Line

Now being a noticeably evergreen addition to Joe Biden’s wardrobe, he has now become an unlikely style icon for eyewear. Contrastingly to his fairly nondescript wardrobe and suit choices, the new sunglasses have definitely had the chance to speak for themselves.

Although the fanfare for Biden’s adornment of his aviators has been a seemingly recent reporting, Biden has revealed that he has been wearing aviators since he was a freshman in college. His interview with The Skimm in 2016 tells the story of Biden and his summer, in 1962, as a lifeguard that served mainly black patrons and how it highlighted the realities of racism. His aviators have been more than an accessory in his life, but a tell tale and mirror of many of his life milestones. Reflective of the timelessness that comes with Ray-Bans, Biden bought this accessory choice and attitude into the Obama era. From his young adulthood all the way through to his presidency, his sunglasses game has been as cemented as his loyalty to his political party.

Vanity Fair outlined the inextricable link between Joe Biden and his sunglasses and with Biden catching on to the fact that the nation and the world has made this link, used it as a primary accessory for his campaigning merchandise. From T-Shirts that displayed a colourful avatar of Biden’s face to simply the glasses in isolation, the Aviators became a solid showcase for his 2020 presidential campaign. This really does highlight how Joe’s sunglasses game has not only been forefronted as part of his signature look, but has undoubtedly made him an unlikely eyewear icon.

The Future of Aviators

Statistics show that Aviators are still one of the most popular glasses preferences. A recent study recorded that in 2014, Aviators were the most preferred sunglass choice style, only marginally behind the pantos glasses style.

(Image: Statista)

Could Ray-Ban Aviators be making a comeback amongst the younger generation or will it continue to be considered a classic reflection of a vintage era and in this case the President of the United States?

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the management of EconoTimes