There was something about the dark and moody vibe of Seventies Hollywood that allowed an entire generation of leading men to achieve legendary personal style through their wardrobes both on-screen and off-screen – the kind of personal style that means they still look fresh and relevant to men today. And of these men, arguably none have been as enduring as Robert Redford. And while his crisp, cream three-piece suit in The Great Gatsby (1974), his rugged denims in Little Fauss and Big Halsy (1970) and his cosy knitwear in The Way We Were (1973) all serve as examples of this, his enduring sartorial signature has to be the aviators he wore in Three Days of Condor (1975).
These shades took on a life of their own, spilling over from the silver screen into the actor’s everyday life, becoming a go-to item that Redford was always seen wearing – in fact, this picture of Robert Redford on his motorcycle in 1975, shot by the photographer, Terry O'Neill, serves as indelible proof of that. It also serves as proof that if you get your sunglasses right, they will not only complete your outfit, but also enhance your handsomeness.
The key is in the shape. Reams could be written about which frames work best for which male visage, but the basic rule is: whatever your face is, choose the opposite quality in your frame. Round face? Go for a more squared-off frame to add angular interest. Square face? Go for a rounded frame to soften your jaw.
That said, there are fewer frames that work better for more face shapes than Redford’s signature aviator. Check out Oscar Deen’s Fraser frames, which give a modern, chunkier riff on the Seventies classic. Still dark and moody, even for the brightest days.
