This year as well—whether in the city, the mountains, or at the beach—we continue to see what everyone in wraparound glasses, even A-Train in The Boys, one of our favorite TV series, wears them. These sunglasses feature an aerodynamic design, perfect for athletes and those seeking a futuristic look, often reflective and colorful. As we will see, there are numerous alternatives on the market. In this article, we want to list our favorite speed glasses and understand how they have become one of the strongest trends in recent years.
According to Vice, the beginning of speed glasses was marked by Ato Boldon when he wore «the boldest Oakleys ever seen,» the Over The Top, at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. This unique model was reissued by the brand twenty years later for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
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The New York Times, however, in 2022, used another term to refer to these glasses, calling them gas station sunglasses for a specific reason: the ease of acquiring this model. They can be found—at significantly higher prices—on big brand sites like Prada, Bottega Veneta, and Balenciaga (our favorites), but also on Amazon or, more simply, at gas stations.
New Millennium Nostalgia
One reason for the comeback of this model, according to Vice, is linked to the so-called new millennium nostalgia, a longing for a time when everything seemed possible in contrast to today’s disillusionment. Kim Kardashian was one of the first to pioneer the revival of wraparound glasses, which then spread to numerous other celebrities and style icons, solidifying the trend. Rihanna, Addison Rae, Kaia Gerber, Pharrell Williams, Offset, and clearly Justin Bieber have followed the trend on various occasions.
More recently, we’ve seen speed glasses worn by Charli XCX (riding high after the release of brat), who often sports her Givenchy Giv Cut . Brazilian footballer Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa—now with Real Madrid—wore them while lifting the Brazilian championship trophy with Palmeiras. At Cannes, David Cronenberg wore a pair of Julbo Explorer 326, now out of production, which attracted a lot of attention.
Our Favorite Speed Glasses
The original (and definitive) wraparound glasses are undoubtedly those by Oakley, available in different colors and shapes. As we have already mentioned, there are numerous alternatives.
From the more luxury-oriented Prada and Bottega Veneta to the more urban Arnette, which presented colorful and creative wraparound glasses in its Spring Summer 2024 collection—perfect for brightening up a beach look or adding flair to everyday outfits. Our favorites are the ILUM 2.0 and the FRESA.
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