Blues Brothers Sunglasses
How the Blues Brothers’ Sunglasses Became a Fashion Statement
There is no denying that since its release in 1980, “The Blues Brothers” has garnered acclaim among fans as a timeless 80s movie. The fun lovely story involves blues musicians named Jake (John Belushi) and Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) who find themselves on a mission from God to raise $5,000 hoping to save an orphanage from shutting down (from which they both grew up in). The star-studded ensemble of the film blends a combination of action, comedy, and music to create a timeless family film that is still unforgettable more than 30 years later. Notable singers making appearances throughout the film include the likes of Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Ray Charles.
While the music and humor of ‘The Blues Brothers’ are the main focus of the film much analysis and praise, is given to one particular aspect of the film – often overlooked. I’m of course talking about not only the unique fashion of the film but the iconic sunglasses worn by the titular characters. Indeed, the sunglasses worn by Jake and Elwood have become an iconic part of the image of the film, with countless fans and cosplayers replicating the look over the years. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the sunglasses worn by The Blues Brothers and explore their history, significance, and impact on popular culture. We’ll also look at the exact brand worn in the film and provide alternatives & suggestions on where you can get your hands on your very own pair of Blues Brothers Sunglasses, the exact brand worn by Jake and Elwood throughout the film.
Blues Brothers Sunglasses: Identifying the Brand
Throughout the entire film characters, Jake and Elwood can be seen wearing a pair of Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Sunglasses (Model: RB2140). In fact, during the total runtime of the film (133 minutes), there are only a few scenes in which they’re seen without these iconic shades adorned on their faces with one early scene being when they get arrested. Wayfarers have a rich history dating back to the 1950s. Their square or trapezoidal-shaped frames and thick rims and arms have been the definition of cool and even today they’re still one of the most popular styles of sunglasses in the world.
As one of the most popular styles of sunglasses in the world, Wayfarer’s are one of the most replicated styles among a variety of different eyewear brands. In fact, it’ll be hard to find any single brand that doesn’t offer some sort of style inspired by the classic Wayfarers. Below is a list of alternatives and recommendations, for a variety of different budgets, if you’re looking to get your hands on a pair of Wayfarer Sunglasses.
The Famed Ray-Ban: A Brand Overview
The chances are if you’ve heard about any eyewear brand it’s most likely Ray-Ban. Founded in 1937, the global brand wasn’t always the cultural phenomenon it is today. Pioneering such models as the Wayfarers and Aviator models, Ray-Ban eyewear eventually found its spotlight when it started appearing in Hollywood movies (including American Psycho and Risky Business) along be worn by countless celebrities. It was thanks to their increased popularity throughout the 1980s Ray-Ban continue to dominate the eyewear industry and is still the preferred choice of eyewear for many across the world.
That being said, Ray-Ban has been a brand open to much debate regarding the quality of its frames. Since they were taken into ownership by conglomerate Luxottica back in 1999. Luxottica is renowned for its anti-industry practices and price-fixing, along with producing eyewear of lesser quality in attempts to fool the wider eyewear market. This website in itself was set up against Luxottica to provide impartial and alternative recommendations for other independent brands you can discover.
Wayfarer Sunglasses: Alternatives & Recommendations
While Ray-Ban’s Wayfarer Sunglasses are a classic choice, there are plenty of alternative options on the market that offer a similar look and feel. As mentioned earlier Ray-Ban has taken a significant dip in quality since being acquired by Luxottica. Ray-Bans are also quite expensive for many, so our list of recommendations below provides a variety of Wayfarer-inspired sunglasses that could be great alternatives for you.
- Bottega Veneta: Highly quality than Ray-Ban handmade from Italian Acetate ($300.00)
- Chimi 04 Black: Good quality at an affordable price tag. Comes in 10 different colorways ($140.00)
- Gast Segno Sunglasses: Best bang for your buck. These glasses are highly affordable, handmade acetate frames ($130.00)
- Cubitts Judd Sunglasses: Respected and rebound British eyewear brand. Quality frames & affordable prices ($150.00)
If you’re searching out this article for Cosplay reasons then there are a bunch of really cheap alternatives you can find. A quick search on websites such as eBay, Amazon, and Etsy immediately brings up a whole host of cheaply made, but highly affordable ‘blues brothers sunglasses‘ that can be bought on a budget and are great for simple cosplay needs. One such example is the ‘LINVO Sunglasses‘ which retail for just $14.00, or the ‘DEMIKOS Sunglasses‘ for just $12.00 (in a pack of three) – just search on Amazon.
