Ray-Ban RB1316 Caravan Sunglasses Review

Ray-Ban Caravan Glasses Overview

Ray-Ban Caravan sunglasses don't carry the best brand name for luxury eyewear but these Aviator alternatives are much faster-paced than the name suggests.

Designers presumably had exotic desert caravans in mind when brainstorming the name and forgot about the cramped, mobile homes on wheels crawling down the motorway and creating congestion on narrow country roads.

That said this modern twist on the classic Ray-Ban Aviator is less about living in a mobile bread bin than winging it down the high fashion highway.

The now-ubiquitous aviator lens styling gets a squared-off shape, angled edges and an updated colour palette, preferred by those who love the aviator look but prefer a smaller frame.

Designed and launched in the 1950s, Ray-Ban Caravans keep the classic thin metal bridge but sport a more no-nonsense squarer frame and less voluptuous inverted teardrop lines than their ancestral aviators.

They were not a huge success at first but fashion trends being what they are the shades took off when the squarer versions were donned by Robert De Niro in the hit 1976 movie Taxi Driver.

Ray-Ban Caravan sunglasses quickly made the transition from a functional eyewear to a must-have fashion accessory.

These sunglasses are an especially good fit for those with a rounder face, as the straight lines add an edgy counterpoint and they are a celebrity favourite for stars like of Tom Cruise whose face can be 'swamped' by big floozy aviators.

That's the big selling point of Ray-Ban Caravans; they have the charismatic style of aviators but don't overpower the face.

The smaller, squarer lenses, it must be admitted, don't give as good eye protection as the aviator but they are easily on a par with glasses of similar design and they are light and comfortable for all-day wear.

The thin metal frame lies clear of the face and doesn't touch the cheekbones and the streamlined, angled look makes a great alternative to the iconic aviator sunglasses.

Ray-Ban's signature logo is displayed on the nose pads and the smaller, more squared off lenses will attract those looking for lighter frames and an edgier look.