In the 80s pop culture, few TV shows left a bigger mark than Miami Vice. Launched in 1984, the show didn’t just change the crime drama landscape with its slick stories and banging soundtracks – it was a fashion icon, influencing trends way beyond the Miami streets.
At the heart of this revolution were the sunglasses worn by the show’s leads, especially Don Johnson’s Sonny Crockett and Rico Tubbs.
These weren’t just accessories – they were statements, a mix of style, mystery, and authority that hooked the audience and set fashion standards for life.
This article discusses the sunglasses worn in Miami vice , how to create the protagonist looks, and how you can buy similar pairs.
What sunglasses did Sonny Crockett wear in Miami Vice?
Crockett, played by Don Johnson, was often seen with three sunglasses, which two were standout brands: they include the,
- Carrera 5512,
- Persol 69218 and
- Ray-Ban Wayfarers.
The two stand-out brands were the Wayfarer and the Persols. The Wayfarers won the hearts of trendsetters because of its bold and angular design, while the Persol resonated more with those who loved luxurious Italian frames that perfectly represented Crockett’s sophisticated style.
Carrera 5512
Sonny Crockett wore the Carrera 5512 sunglasses in the first episode of Miami Vice. They are made in Austria and are a black oversized aviator. They are stylish and have the Carrera branding on the temporal sides and bridge, and with brown tinted lenses.
The glasses are made from high quality frames and are durable and lightweight. Carrera 5512 is no longer in production; however at Dollger we have the Dollger Stylish Aviator Acetate Sunglasses, for those who look like Sonny Crockett . The lenses offer 100% UV protection. This frame is in great condition and has a sleek design with visual clarity.
Persol Ratti 69218s
The Persol Ratti was the frames that Sonny Crockett wore in the Season 3 of the Miami Vice. This sunglass has an angular design with green lenses and metal frames. They are durable and clear because they are made from premium materials such as acetate and crystal lenses
The Persol was made by Giuseppe Ratti in Turin, Italy, in 1917. It has a silver arrow trademark on its arms, a functional hinge that allows for flexibility and movement, and a Meflecto system, the first flexible technology that allows glasses to adapt to shape the wearer’s head. This made it very comfortable and stylish, especially for those with large heads. The Meflecto system reduced tightness that could cause discomfort and headache.
3 Ray-Ban Wayfarers
Sonny Crockett switched to the tortoise acetate Ray-Ban in the second episode of the Miami Vice. The Rayban are a classic pair of aviators with a teardrop shape. It had green-tinted lenses. They were manufactured by Bausch and Lomb in 1952. Sonny Crockett wore these sunglasses in the second episode of Miami Vice, “Heart of Darkness,” and they became a part of his persona
Crockett’s Persol and Wayfarers weren’t just cool; they were part of the character. Whether cruising down Miami’s streets in his Ferrari or chasing criminals through the city. The aviators added a hint of mystery and calm, and the Wayfarers had a boldness that matched his pastel suits and sockless loafers. These sunglasses weren’t accessories; they were visual triggers that showed the duality of the character – calm under fire but not afraid to take charge when needed.
Rico Tubbs Sunglasses
Philip Michael Thomas who played the role of Rico Tubbs brought a different vibe to Miami Vice. Sony Crockett was more popular, however, Rico had a more sophisticated style. His sunglasses were bold and gave him a stylish personality.
Rico Tubbs wore different high-fashion brands that were sleek with modern frames. However, the standout brand was the Carrera, which was popular for its sporty yet sophisticated style.
The sunglasses accentuated Tubbs’ charming personality. The material used for manufacturing were the metal frames. Its mirrored lenses made them look sleek.
The prominent sunglasses Rico Tubbs wore in Miami Vice was a pair of aviators which complemented his suits and accessories. Its frames were oversized frames and had angular design which made it look cool yet flamboyant.
Influence on Trendsetters
Tubbs’ choice of sunglasses became a big part of luxury fashion. His choices, especially the Carreras, became the epitome of cool and fashion-forward and inspired trendsetters of his time to go for similar luxury designs. Unlike Crockett’s laid-back style, Tubbs was more sophisticated and attention-grabbing, which resonated more with viewers who wanted to make a statement with their styles. He helped push sunglasses into the must-have accessory for anyone who wanted to look bold. Rico Tubb wore an oversized aviator frame. For a similar style, the Dollger Retro Magic Sunglasses or the Dollger Stylish Aviator Acetate Sunglasses are the most suitable.
Were other eyeglasses worn in Miami Vice?
While Sonny Crockett and Rico Tubbs got all the shine with their shades, Miami Vice showcased other cool eyewear worn by supporting characters.
Detective Gina Calabrese, played by Saundra Santiago, who rocked oversized sunglasses that were tough and stylish. Her sunglasses added a level of class and sass to her character, balancing out the edginess of Crockett and Tubbs with a more refined fashion sense.
Lieutenant Martin Castillo, played by Edward James Olmos, had his moments with shades too. Castillo’s no-nonsense, stoic self was often paired with minimalist aviators, which suited his serious, straight-laced character. His shades were the opposite of the flashy styles worn by the other detectives.
Miami Sunglasses For Women
Although the Miami Vice movie was centered around its male leads, the iconic sunglasses worn by characters like Sonny Crockett and Rico Tubbs aren’t just for men. Women can confidently wear the same styles and achieve that timeless, effortlessly cool look. The sunglasses that defined the characters—Ray-Ban Wayfarers, Persol 69218s, and Carrera Aviators—are unisex. For those seeking to embody the sleek, sun-soaked glamour of Miami, these glasses will do.
Modern Celebrities that wear the Miami Sunglasses
The bold eyewear choices of Miami Vice didn’t just make waves in the 80s; they set a blueprint for what cool looked like in the decades that followed. After Miami Vice popularized angular, oversized frames, the 90s saw an evolution toward sleeker, sportier styles.
The 2000s saw the rise of designer sunglasses as Gucci, Prada and Chanel created luxury frames that took inspiration from the bold, oversized styles of Miami Vice. The mix of high fashion and streetwear in the 2010s and 2020s brought new life to the angular, retro inspired frames of the show.
Celebrities today are channelling the Miami Vice look to be cool. David Beckham, Leonardo DiCaprio and Ryan Gosling have all been spotted wearing Ray-Ban Wayfarers or similar aviators, paying homage to the style made iconic by the show.
When can you buy your Miami Vice Sunglasses?
If you’re dreaming of capturing the effortlessly cool, sun-soaked style of Miami Vice, you’re in luck! While the original frames worn by Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs may be difficult to find or come with a high price tag, you don’t have to break the bank to achieve the iconic look. The good news?
You can grab affordable, high-quality alternatives that deliver the same bold style and timeless appeal without the hefty price tag.
The beauty of Miami Vice sunglasses is that they aren’t just about the brand—they’re about the attitude. It’s the confidence, the mystery, and the swagger that these shades brought to the characters that truly made them iconic. Whether it’s Crockett’s laid-back Ray-Ban Wayfarers or Tubbs’ sleek Carrera aviators, you can easily find alternatives that match the style and vibe without the high cost of original vintage models. We offer carefully selected sunglasses that give you the exact look and feel of the originals but at a fraction of the cost.
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