Wholesale Aviator Sunglasses
Here is a fun bit of history: the aviator was never supposed to be a fashion item. Back in 1936, Bausch & Lomb got a contract from the U.S. Army Air Corps to design sunglasses for military pilots. The problem was specific -- pilots were flying higher and faster than ever, and the sun was wrecking their vision. The solution? A big teardrop-shaped lens that covered the entire eye socket, a thin metal frame that weighed almost nothing under a flight helmet, and a double bridge across the nose to spread the pressure. They called them “aviators” because, well, that is who wore them.
Then World War II happened, and suddenly millions of soldiers were wearing these things. When they came home, they kept wearing them. By the 1960s and 70s, aviators had jumped from the cockpit to Hollywood -- worn by everyone from Paul Newman to the cast of Top Gun. The style just stuck. Almost 90 years later, the basic design has barely changed, and aviators are still one of the top three selling sunglasses shapes worldwide. That is not a trend -- that is a classic.
We produce over 200,000 pairs of custom aviator sunglasses per year for brands in 50+ countries. Our factory runs dedicated metal frame production lines with CNC machining, PVD electroplating, and precision lens mounting. Whether you need 100 pairs to test a new market or 50,000 pairs for a national retail rollout, we have the capacity and the experience. And because aviators are our bread and butter, we have the process dialed in -- which means faster production, fewer defects, and better pricing.
Our Aviator Collection
Classic Gold Aviator
This is the one everyone pictures when you say "aviator." Polished gold-tone stainless steel, teardrop shape, green G-15 tinted lenses that cut glare without making everything look weird. The gold finish is PVD-coated (not cheap spray paint) so it holds up to daily wear. We sell more of these than any other single SKU -- and most of our clients say the same. If you are starting an eyewear brand and want one safe bet, this is it.
Silver Mirror Aviator
Silver frame, silver mirror lenses -- the kind of sunglasses you see on every beach vacation. The mirror coating reflects about 60% of incoming light, which makes these genuinely good for bright conditions (not just cool-looking). The frame is rhodium-plated stainless steel that will not tarnish even in salty coastal air. Spring hinges give them a little flex so they fit different head sizes without feeling too tight or too loose. Big seller for resort brands and beach shops.
Matte Black Stealth Aviator
For brands going after that tactical, no-nonsense look. The matte electroplating gives the frame a completely non-reflective surface -- very different feel from shiny gold or silver. Paired with dark smoke lenses that block 85% of visible light, these are serious sun protection. We see a lot of orders for these from outdoor brands, law enforcement supply companies, and menswear labels. The reinforced temple tips are a nice touch -- they grip without sliding even when you sweat.
Rose Gold Fashion Aviator
Rose gold has been the hot finish for about five years now and it shows no sign of slowing down. The warm pink-gold tone photographs beautifully (huge for brands that sell through Instagram), and it flatters basically every skin tone. We pair these with pink gradient lenses -- dark at the top, light at the bottom -- which gives them that effortless fashion look. Made from aluminum alloy so they come in at under 25 grams. If your customer is a 22-year-old woman shopping on her phone, this is what she is clicking on.
Blue Mirror Polarized Aviator
Vivid ocean blue mirror lenses with real polarization underneath -- so they look amazing AND actually work. The TAC polarized film blocks 99% of glare bouncing off water, roads, and snow. Gunmetal frame keeps the focus on those lenses. This is our go-to recommendation for clients selling to the coastal/surf/fishing crowd. They photograph well, they perform well, and they justify a higher retail price because of the polarization. Runs about $2-3 more per pair than non-polarized, but you can charge $15-20 more at retail.
Premium Titanium Aviator
The top of our aviator line. Beta-titanium frame that weighs 15 grams -- you barely feel it on your face. Titanium is hypoallergenic (no nickel, no reactions), corrosion-proof, and you can bend it and it springs right back. We pair these with anti-reflective CR-39 optical lenses -- same grade you would find in $200+ designer frames. This is for brands that want to compete at the premium end of the market. Your retail price can easily be $80-150+, and the per-unit cost is still only $14-22. Do the math on those margins.
Full Specs
| Frame Material | Stainless Steel / Aluminum Alloy / Beta Titanium |
| Frame Weight | Steel: 28-32g | Aluminum: 18-22g | Titanium: 15-18g |
| Lens Material | Polycarbonate / TAC Polarized / CR-39 Optical / Glass |
| Lens Width | 55mm / 58mm / 60mm / 62mm |
| Bridge Width | 14mm / 15mm / 16mm / 18mm |
| Temple Length | 135mm / 140mm / 145mm |
| Lens Height | 48mm - 52mm (teardrop shape) |
| UV Protection | UV400 -- blocks 100% of UVA (315-380nm) and UVB (280-315nm) |
| Polarization | Optional 7-layer TAC film -- 99% glare reduction |
| Frame Colors | Gold, Silver, Gunmetal, Matte Black, Rose Gold, or custom PVD |
| Lens Colors | Grey, Green G-15, Brown, Blue, Pink, Mirror, Gradient |
| Nose Pads | Adjustable silicone with titanium arm |
| Hinges | Standard barrel or spring-loaded (flex fit) |
| Certifications | CE (EN ISO 12312-1) · FDA (21 CFR 801.410) · UV400 · ISO 9001 -- docs available on request |
| MOQ | 100 pieces per model -- mix colors allowed |
| Sample Time | 3-5 business days |
| Production Time | 15-20 days standard / 10-12 days rush |
Picking the Right Metal for Your Aviators
This is one of the first decisions you will make, and it affects everything -- cost, weight, durability, and how premium your product feels in someone's hand. Here is the honest breakdown.
Stainless Steel
Our most popular option and what we recommend for most brands. We use 304 or 316L grade steel -- the same stuff in good watches. It is strong, it does not corrode, and it takes plating beautifully. Gold, silver, black, rose gold -- all of them look sharp on steel and hold up over time. The weight (28-32g) actually works in your favor here because customers associate that slight heft with quality. Best fit for brands retailing at $20-60.
Aluminum Alloy
If your customers care about comfort -- and especially if they wear sunglasses all day -- aluminum is worth the upgrade. At 18-22g it is noticeably lighter than steel. We use 6061-T6 or 7075 aircraft-grade alloy (same stuff they use in airplane fuselages, if you want a selling point). The frames can be anodized in pretty much any color, and the finish is really durable. Good fit for outdoor brands, athleisure lines, and the $40-80 retail range.
Titanium
The prestige play. Beta-titanium at 15-18g is almost comically light -- people put them on and immediately go “wow.” It is 100% hypoallergenic (no nickel at all), which is a real selling point for sensitive skin. And the flexibility is wild -- you can bend the temples almost flat and they spring right back. The catch? It costs more. But here is the thing: titanium lets you retail at $80-200+ with a straight face. The per-pair margins are often better than cheaper frames.
Lens Options
The frame gets the attention, but the lens is what your customer actually looks through every day. Here is what we offer.
Polycarbonate (PC)
The standard. Impact-resistant, lightweight, shatter-proof -- 10x stronger than glass. Works for everything from casual wear to sports. All our colors and mirror coatings are available on PC. This is what 70% of our clients use.
TAC Polarized
Seven layers of polarized film sandwiched between PC. Kills 99% of reflected glare. The upgrade that justifies charging more. Adds about $2-3 to your per-pair cost but lets you charge $15-20 more at retail. Worth it.
CR-39 Optical
If you want to compete with the big brands on lens quality, this is it. Abbe number of 58 means razor-sharp optics with zero distortion. Scratch-resistant. Lighter than glass. The choice for premium positioning.
Photochromic
Darkens in sunlight, clears indoors. Goes from Category 1 to Category 3 in about 30 seconds. Neat trick and a good selling point for customers who want one pair for everything. Adds about $3-4 per pair.
Glass
Old school, but some markets love it. Best optical clarity, most scratch-resistant, heaviest. Popular in Europe and Japan where glass lenses carry a premium perception. We can do mineral glass in all standard tints.
Coatings You Can Add
Mirror (silver, blue, gold, red, green, purple), anti-reflective, hydrophobic (repels water), oleophobic (resists fingerprints), and anti-fog. Stack them however you want.
Making Them Yours
This is where you turn a great pair of sunglasses into YOUR product. Here is everything we can customize.
🎨 Logo Work
- •Laser engraving -- our most popular. Clean, permanent, looks great on metal. Inside or outside temple.
- •Metal badge -- a little 3D zinc alloy or steel badge soldered to the temple. Feels expensive.
- •Lens printing -- small logo silk-screened in the corner of the lens. Subtle but visible.
- •Custom nose pads -- your logo engraved or printed on the silicone pads. A nice detail.
🌈 Colors
- •Frame: Gold, Silver, Black, Gunmetal, Rose Gold -- or give us a Pantone code and we will match it
- •Lens tints: Grey, Green, Brown, Blue, Pink, Yellow, Red -- or custom match
- •Mirror: Silver, Blue, Gold, Red, Green, Purple, Rose
- •Gradient: Top-to-bottom fade in any lens color
📦 Packaging
- •Hard cases: EVA zipper, leather magnetic, or metal tin -- all with your logo printed
- •Soft pouches: Microfiber drawstring with logo -- doubles as a cleaning cloth
- •Retail boxes: Full-color printed cardboard, custom inserts, hang tabs
- •Extras: Cleaning cloths, warranty cards, hang tags, stickers -- all branded
Who Buys Wholesale Aviators?
We ship aviators to a pretty wide range of businesses. Here are the most common ones.
🏪 Eyewear Brand Owners
First-time and established brands building their product line. Aviators are usually the first style they launch -- they are safe, they sell, and they look good in marketing photos.
🛍️ Retail Shops
Boutiques, surf shops, optical stores, and department store buyers looking for their own house brand. Our 100-piece minimum means small shops can get in without huge risk.
🌐 Online Sellers
Amazon, Shopify, Etsy sellers who need quality product at margins that work for e-commerce. We can provide product photos and descriptions to speed up your listing.
🎁 Corporate & Promo
Companies ordering branded aviators for trade shows, golf tournaments, team gifts, and events. High perceived value at a price point that works for promotional budgets.
🏨 Hotels & Resorts
Hospitality brands offering custom aviators as guest amenities or gift shop items. Custom packaging with the resort name creates a nice souvenir guests actually keep.
📦 Distributors
Regional wholesalers supplying multiple retailers. Our volume pricing at 1,000+ and 5,000+ tiers gives distributors the margins they need to service their accounts.
Aviator Sunglasses FAQ
What is the minimum order for wholesale aviator sunglasses?
Just 100 pieces per model. And here is the nice part -- you can mix within that 100. So you could do 20 gold frames with grey lenses, 30 silver with blue mirror, and 50 black with gradient. That lets you test which combos your customers actually buy instead of guessing. Most of our aviator clients start with 200-300 pieces across 2-3 color combos, then reorder the winners in bigger quantities.
What metal options do you have for aviator frames?
Three main ones. Stainless steel is our most popular -- tough, looks great, does not tarnish, and runs $8-12/pair. Aluminum alloy is about 40% lighter (great for all-day wear), costs $10-14/pair. And then there is beta-titanium for the premium end -- hypoallergenic (the International Organization for Standardization classifies titanium as a biocompatible material per ISO 5832), insanely light at 15-20 grams, and nearly impossible to break. Titanium runs $14-22/pair but it lets you charge $80-150+ at retail, so the margins are actually better. Any of them can be plated in gold, silver, black, rose gold, or custom colors.
Can I get my logo engraved on aviator sunglasses?
Absolutely, and honestly this is where metal aviators really shine compared to plastic frames. Laser engraving looks incredible on metal -- crisp, permanent, and classy. We can engrave on the inside or outside of the temples. If you want something bolder, we do 3D metal badges (zinc alloy or stainless steel) that solder right onto the temple or bridge. There is also lens printing for subtle corner logos and custom-engraved nose pads if you really want to go all-in on branding.
Do you offer polarized lenses for aviators?
We do, and I would strongly recommend them. Our TAC polarized lenses use a 7-layer film that kills 99% of glare -- the difference is night and day, especially for driving. Here is the business case: polarized aviators sell for 25-40% more at retail than standard UV400. So a pair that retails at $40 non-polarized can easily sell at $50-55 polarized. We also do photochromic lenses (darken in sunlight), mirror coatings, anti-reflective coatings, and gradient tints. Mix and match however you want.
How are aviators different from wayfarers for wholesale?
Good question -- we get this a lot. The short version: aviators are metal, wayfarers are acetate/plastic. That means aviators cost a bit more per pair ($8-14 vs $5-11) but they also carry a more premium feel. Aviators tend to skew slightly more masculine and have that military/pilot heritage going for them. Wayfarers are more unisex and come in way more colors. Honestly? Most successful brands carry both. If you have to pick one, aviators if you are going for premium positioning, wayfarers if you want volume.
What packaging can I get with my aviator order?
We do the whole range. Most popular setup is a branded hard case (EVA with your logo printed on it) plus a microfiber pouch that doubles as a cleaning cloth. Runs about $1.50-2.50 per set depending on materials. We also do leather cases, metal tins, custom cardboard boxes with full-color printing, warranty cards, and hang tags. For premium lines, some clients go with magnetic closure boxes or even wooden cases. Packaging MOQ is 500 pieces -- but you can use generic packaging for your first small order and switch to custom on the reorder.
You Might Also Like
Wayfarer Sunglasses
The other “must have” style. Acetate frames, tons of colors, and the best-selling shape worldwide. Most brands carry both aviators and wayfarers.
Polarized Sunglasses
Add polarized lenses to any aviator for a premium upgrade. 99% glare reduction, 25-40% higher retail price. The easiest way to boost your margins.
Sport Sunglasses
If your customers need something tougher than aviators -- TR90 wraparound frames with anti-slip grips for running, cycling, and outdoor sports.
Ready to Order Aviators?
Tell us what you need -- style, quantity, any custom work -- and we will get back to you within 24 hours with pricing. Samples ship in 3-5 days. No commitment until you are ready.