Today you can find sunglasses of any shape, style and composition. Modern technology has fueled a wide array of new innovations. Some sunglasses come with embedded MP3 players in them so people can listen to music on the go while wearing their shades. Other sunglasses have been specifically designed and tinted to exact levels and colors for different purposes, including for use on the beach or in the snow.

Other sunglasses are scratchproof so you can be active, play sports, or wear them around on a sunny construction site without fear of them breaking and not protecting you. You can even find oversized, joke sunglasses that clowns and goofy children love to dress up in. With some of those new trends covered, here are some of the more famous types of sunglasses:

•    Aviator sunglasses – Made by Ray Ban (and in case you never thought about it, the name Ray Ban is meant as in, banning sunrays; mystery solved) in 1936, the aviators were designed and used originally by actual aviators in the U.S. military. Pilots and crew wore these new sunglasses to protect their vision and their eyes from harmful sun rays, as they were so high and exposed being above the clouds.

The glasses feature those famous wide frames, which cover more of the eye, and protects the eye from angles as the pilot turns his head around. After World War II aviators made sunglasses an unbelievably popular trend, and today have been enjoying a renaissance due mostly to many celebrities wearing them around.

•    Wayfarer Sunglasses – But aviators aren’t the only sunglasses that celebrities liked to wear. The Wayfarer style of sunglasses were seen on the faces of many celebrities, including James Dean, who would single-handedly help define sunglasses, and the Wayfarer specifically, as the coolest thing around. Audrey Hepburn was adorned by a pair of Wayfarer shades in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s, adding to their already enormous appeal.

•    Mirrored Sunglasses (Mirrorshades) – These sunglasses have an exterior mirror that reflects back onto whomever is looking at you. This hides your own eyes even better, and has an aura of invincibility and intimidation due to it. These are the top choice for police and law enforcement for exactly that reason.

•    Jackie O’s – Also known as Onassis glasses, these were brought into style by Jackie Kennedy Onassis. One of the most mimicked women of all time has her legacy continued by the sunglasses that people still wear decades later because of her.

•    Teashades – Teashades are the easily distinguishable sunglasses that feature small, round lenses. John Lennon famously wore them, as did many other musicians from that time period.

•    Glacier sunglasses – These are named for the fact that their commonly leather blinders on the sun help to prevent glare and bright light from all angles, including the sides. This makes them popular for explorers and scientists on glaciers.

There are also types of sunglasses that essentially form a bubble of protection around one’s entire eye sockets. These plastic sunglasses are used as an extreme form of protection by those who have very sensitive light or other eye problems. The point is, there are dozens of styles of sunglasses available to the public at large. Whatever fits your style, taste, purpose (and of course price) is out there for you to get.