Sunglasses Enjoy Bright Days Worldwide Thanks To Tom Cruise’s ‘Top Gun’ Look

More than three decades after it first lit up the silver screen, Tom Cruise returns as Pete Mitchell in Top Gun: Maverick, capturing audiences worldwide once again with over US$1 billion grossed worldwide. 

In fact, moviegoers left cinemas in awe of Cruise’s iconic look, with Bloomberg reporting that sales of sunglasses—and the classic Ray-Ban aviators, in particular—have seen a surge since the film’s release in late May. 

Interestingly, the news outlet noted this phenomenon is a repeat of what happened following the original release in 1986, in which the Ray-Ban original saw its popularity skyrocket with fashionistas clamoring to look just like the on-screen hero. 

A spokesperson at David Clulow, one of the UK’s largest retailers, told the publication that the RB3025 Aviator (worn by Cruise in the film) has become one of its best-selling models of the summer, as were the Ray-Ban Wayfarer glasses. 

According to John Pritchard, founder of Pala Sunglasses, round frames reign supreme, and are said to be the easiest shape of sunglasses to pull off for any gender, face shape, or style. 65% of the brand’s sales come from models featuring such frames.

Tom Cruise aside, the resurgence of Y2K fashion has brought back the demand for sunglasses too, with Gen Z consumers looking to emulate influencers such as Kim Kardashian and Bella Hadid. 

What better way to complete a summer look than by topping it off with cool, sleek shades?

[via Robb Report and Bloomberg, cover image via Ray-Ban]