A Guide to Ray-Ban Models: How Aviator, Wayfarer, Clubmaster and Round Differ

Ray-Ban models fall into four main lines: the Aviator with teardrop lenses, the square Wayfarer, the browline-style Clubmaster and the Round Metal with round lenses. They differ in frame shape, material and the impression they leave on the face. The code starting with RB next to the model name, and the three-number size, show which version of the model you are looking at.

What are the Ray-Ban models?

There are four main lines among Ray-Ban models: the Aviator, the Wayfarer, the Clubmaster and the Round Metal. Alongside them there are other lines such as the Justin and the Erika.

Ray-Ban began in 1937 in the USA with glasses developed for pilots by Bausch & Lomb; the Aviator is the model from this era. The Wayfarer was designed in 1952 and the Clubmaster appeared in the 1980s. The brand has been part of the Italian Luxottica since 1999.

Each model has a code starting with the letters RB. On most glasses the code is printed on the inside of the temple together with the colour code and the size. The same model code can come in different frame colours and lens options, which is why two pairs can carry the same code and look different.

What is the difference between the Aviator, Wayfarer, Clubmaster and Round?

The basic difference between the four models is the shape and material of the frame: the Aviator and Round Metal are thin metal, the Wayfarer is thick plastic, and the Clubmaster is a mix of the two. The table below shows the four models side by side. The face shape column is a general style suggestion, not a rule.

Aviator

The Aviator is the model with teardrop-shaped lenses and a thin metal frame with a double bridge joining the two lenses. It comes from the era of the glasses developed for pilots; the wide teardrop lens covers much of the area around the eye. The thin metal frame sits lightly on the face. The lens shape, which widens towards the bottom, has a balancing effect on faces with a wide forehead and a narrow chin. The classic green G-15 lens is often associated with this model.

Wayfarer

The Wayfarer is the model with a wide top line and a square, thick plastic frame; the classic version is made of acetate. It was designed in 1952 and, unlike thin metal frames, draws a bold, strong line on the face. The lenses of the Original Wayfarer (RB2140) tilt forward; the New Wayfarer (RB2132) is a smaller, softer interpretation of the same line that sits more upright on the face. Its square lines add definition to round faces. Thanks to the thick frame, the glasses themselves stand out on the face and give a strong look even with simple clothes.

Clubmaster

The Clubmaster is a browline-style frame with a thick acetate top line and a thin metal lower rim. It appeared in the 1980s. The thick top line follows the line of the eyebrows and emphasises the gaze; the thin metal rim below makes the lens look light. The top line and the metal rim can be in different colours, and this two-tone look is the model's distinguishing feature. It goes as well with a shirt and jacket as with casual clothes.

Round Metal

The Round Metal is the model with fully round lenses and a thin metal frame. Its shape, which has no corners, softens the lines of square and angular faces. It is a choice for people who want a smaller-lensed, understated frame rather than large glasses that cover the face. On round faces, however, it can emphasise the roundness of the face; in that case a square model looks more balanced.

Metal frame or plastic frame?

A metal frame sits finer and lighter on the face, while a plastic frame draws a bolder line; the difference is felt in use as much as in appearance. Metal frames such as the Aviator and Round Metal have nose pads, and because the pads can be adjusted to the nose, they adapt easily to different nose shapes. On thick plastic frames such as the Wayfarer the bridge is fixed; the fit depends largely on finding the right size. The Clubmaster combines the two approaches: it has a plastic line on top, and a metal rim and nose pads below.

On the beach and by the pool, whichever material you choose, sea salt, sand and sun cream build up on the frame and lens. Rinsing the glasses with fresh water at the end of the day and storing them in a hard case helps protect the frame and lens.

Which models do the Justin and Erika resemble?

In shape, the Justin is close to the Wayfarer and the Erika to rounded frames. The Justin (RB4165) interprets the Wayfarer line with larger lenses and usually a matte plastic frame. The Erika (RB4171) is a light model with rounded lenses and thin metal temples. Both give a more casual look than the four classic models.

How do you choose a Ray-Ban size?

The size is chosen by looking at the three numbers printed on the inside of the temple: lens width, bridge width and temple length. For example, on glasses marked 58-14-135, one lens is 58 mm wide, the bridge between the two lenses is 14 mm and the temple length is 135 mm. The same model is made in more than one size, so if a model you like feels too large or too small, trying another size can solve the problem.

When choosing a size, check in this order:

1. The overall width of the frame should be close to the width of your face; it should not stick out clearly past your temples or press on them.
2. The bridge should sit properly on your nose; if the glasses slide or leave marks on your nose, the bridge size does not fit.
3. Your eyes should be close to the centre of the lens.
4. Your eyebrows should follow the top line of the frame.
5. The temples should sit behind your ears without pressing.

With sunglasses, a slightly larger lens covers more of the area around the eye against light coming from the side; but if the frame touches your cheeks or lifts when you smile, the size is too large. Fine adjustments such as the nose pads and the angle of the temples are made at the optician's. You can find how to work out your face shape in our article on glasses for your face shape.

What do the G-15 lens and the polarised option mean?

G-15 is the name of Ray-Ban's classic green lens; polarised is a separate feature added to the lens. The green tint strikes a balance between contrast and natural colour perception. A grey lens reduces light without changing colours, a brown lens increases contrast, and a gradient lens is dark at the top and light at the bottom. The colours are explained in detail in our article on sunglass lens colours.

A polarised lens is one that filters glare reflected off flat surfaces such as water, wet roads and the bonnet of a car. The four main models come in versions with polarised and non-polarised lenses; which one it is will be stated in the product information. On days spent by the sea and the pool on the Antalya coast, the difference is clearly noticeable. On the other hand, some LCD screens (car dashboard, phone, cash machine) can look dark or tinted at certain angles through a polarised lens. For more detail, see our article what are polarised sunglasses.

Which Ray-Ban model suits whom?

The right model depends on your face shape, where you will wear the glasses and your personal style; there is no single right answer. A general road map looks like this:

Where you will wear the glasses also affects the lens choice: by the sea and on long drives a polarised lens reduces glare, while a gradient lens keeps the dashboard easy to read when driving.

These pairings are only starting points. A model that looks great on one face may not sit well on a similar one; the decision is made by trying the glasses on and, if possible, comparing two sizes. In the strong sun of an Antalya summer, glasses stay on your face for long hours, so weight and how they sit on the nose matter as much as appearance.

Ray-Ban is among the brands available at the Goldeneye Optik store in Kadriye. Whichever model you choose, the model code, size and CE mark on the inside of the temple are the identity of the glasses; how to read these markings is explained in our article how to spot original sunglasses.