• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Bars, bowling alleys, and movie theaters cost too much to run and visit. Americans have run out of places to hang out and we're paying with our health

2

Sam Altman says a 'cool use case' for ChatGPT is a daily AI podcast about your kids. The replies were brutal

3

Electric air taxis are finally ready for takeoff

1

Bars, bowling alleys, and movie theaters cost too much to run and visit. Americans have run out of places to hang out and we're paying with our health

2

Sam Altman says a 'cool use case' for ChatGPT is a daily AI podcast about your kids. The replies were brutal

3

Electric air taxis are finally ready for takeoff
LifestyleSunglasses
Europe

Top Gun: Maverick and Y2K nostalgia is now fueling the sunglass industry

By
Conrad Quilty-Harper
Conrad Quilty-Harper
and
Bloomberg
Bloomberg
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Conrad Quilty-Harper
Conrad Quilty-Harper
and
Bloomberg
Bloomberg
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 19, 2022, 10:11 AM ET
Tom Cruise in Ray-Ban sunglasses
Actor Tom Cruise wears Ray-Ban sunglasses made popular in the Top Gun films.Clive Mason—Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

The popularity of Top Gun: Maverick goes beyond box office receipts. The film, which has grossed more than $1 billion, is also helping drive up U.K. sales of the aviator sunglasses Tom Cruise sports in it. It’s a repeat of the scenario that followed the release in 1986 of the original Top Gun, which boosted sales of the Ray-Ban original. 

A spokesperson at David Clulow, one of the U.K.’s biggest sunglass retailers, says the classic RB3025 Aviator—Top Gun is one of its bestselling sunglasses this summer, at £184 ($218), along with £329 Ray-Ban Wayfarer smart glasses. 

Smaller sunglasses brands are also seeing increased demand from fashion-focused Gen Z customers who want Kim Kardashian-inspired “Y2K” looks that hark back to turn-of-the-century fashion.

The most popular designs in the U.K. are round-shaped frames that work well for any gender, face shape, or style.

At David Clulow, the round “Gregory Peck” from Oliver Peoples for £287 haas made the bestseller list, as has the £147 “Hawkeye,” a new design with rounded edges.

At MONC on London’s Chiltern Street, founder Freddie Elborne says the shop’s bestseller is the “Kallio,” a unisex round frame that seems to suit almost anyone. 

Likewise, John Pritchard, founder of Brighton-based Pala Sunglasses, estimates that 65% of his company’s sales come from models with round frames. Pala’s bestselling pair is the “Lich,” a round tortoiseshell. “It’s our perpetual bestseller,” he says.

Ackeem Ngwenya, chief executive officer of Berlin-based Reframd, which makes 3D-printed designs tailored to diverse face shapes, says London and the U.K. constitute the company’s third-largest market, where its rounder styles such as “Umoya” and “Yao” are most popular. Both sell for £208. 

Betty Bachz, founder and creative director of independent eyewear brand MOY Atelier, a more fashion-forward brand, is also seeing rising popularity for rounder shapes. Her top seller is the “Osiris,” a £195 midsize-to-small oval shape with a twist, “rehashed for the modern consumer in London.” 

She thinks its popularity is being driven by Y2K-inspired looks worn by Kardashian and Bella Hadid.

“Everything in fashion now is very Y2K styled. It’s also the case for eyewear,” says Bachz. People want “Matrix-y, cyberpunk, and sports looks. Gen Z are all wearing Balenciaga and Oakley cycling glasses. It’s all about Brad Pitt and Gwyneth Paltrow around 1990.”

The soaring heat has also boosted interest in sunglasses. Last week, the U.K.’s Meteorological Office issued a warning against wearing “cheap” sunglasses without proper UV protection. Elborne says “the heat wave has made a difference” in sales at MONC, with people popping into his shop to snap up a pair when the sun is out, or just before they head abroad.

Still, fashion continues to dictate sunglass sales. The Y2K revival might be affecting when people buy sunglasses—and when they wear them. Bachz says her customers are increasingly “wearing sunglasses in autumn and winter, and even indoors.” Pritchard at Pala says his customers are motivated differently. “As a brand, we chase the sun around the world. In the U.K. we get quite a lot of interest ahead of the holiday breaks in March.”

“Then, when summer’s over and October rolls around, I start switching to Australia: Christmas in sunglasses.”

Sign up for the Fortune Features email list so you don’t miss our biggest features, exclusive interviews, and investigations.

About the Authors
By Conrad Quilty-Harper
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
By Bloomberg
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Lifestyle

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.


Latest in Lifestyle

The Porsche Design Tower in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida.
Real EstateLuxury
From Porsche penthouses to Nobu lofts: Inside the $67 billion boom in luxury branded residences
By Zahra TayebAugust 4, 2026
53 minutes ago
The NFL’s previous push into Europe lost $400 million. Why it’s trying again
MagazineNFL
The NFL’s previous push into Europe lost $400 million. Why it’s trying again
By Sam BirchallAugust 4, 2026
53 minutes ago
Exclusive: Former OpenAI exec Fidji Simo discusses her battle with POTS and her startup’s plans to cure it with AI and 3,500 vials of blood (so far)
HealthOpenAI
Exclusive: Former OpenAI exec Fidji Simo discusses her battle with POTS and her startup’s plans to cure it with AI and 3,500 vials of blood (so far)
By Emily ForliniAugust 3, 2026
12 hours ago
Photo of Christopher Nolan
Arts & Entertainmentimax
‘A hidden gem’: Odyssey fans are shelling out up to $2,000 to buy 70mm IMAX tickets on eBay
By Sarah GlodekAugust 3, 2026
15 hours ago
Tommy Bahama CEO Doug Wood
RetailFashion
Go ahead, make fun of Tommy Bahama. The CEO is happy to join you, and he’s probably not a fan of your preppy shorts
By Catherina GioinoAugust 3, 2026
15 hours ago
Best Hair Serums (2026): Tested and Reviewed
HealthDietary Supplements
Best Hair Serums (2026): Tested and Reviewed
By Emily PharesAugust 3, 2026
15 hours ago

Most Popular

Bars, bowling alleys, and movie theaters cost too much to run and visit. Americans have run out of places to hang out and we're paying with our health
North America
Bars, bowling alleys, and movie theaters cost too much to run and visit. Americans have run out of places to hang out and we're paying with our health
By Catherina GioinoAugust 2, 2026
2 days ago
Sam Altman says a 'cool use case' for ChatGPT is a daily AI podcast about your kids. The replies were brutal
AI
Sam Altman says a 'cool use case' for ChatGPT is a daily AI podcast about your kids. The replies were brutal
By Holly Van Leuven and Morning BrewAugust 3, 2026
20 hours ago
Electric air taxis are finally ready for takeoff
Magazine
Electric air taxis are finally ready for takeoff
By Alexei OreskovicAugust 3, 2026
1 day ago
The labor market could become so backward that the economy will have to shed jobs to keep unemployment steady
Economy
The labor market could become so backward that the economy will have to shed jobs to keep unemployment steady
By Jason MaAugust 1, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of oil as of August 3, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of August 3, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerAugust 3, 2026
21 hours ago
Wall Street bulls are starting to admit the earnings bubble is real—and the 60/40 portfolio may be the first casualty
Investing
Wall Street bulls are starting to admit the earnings bubble is real—and the 60/40 portfolio may be the first casualty
By Nick LichtenbergAugust 3, 2026
16 hours ago