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I Tried and Tested these Aviators from beaches to snow: Here's how they held up every day

One pair that works everywhere, pink lenses add charm, reliable comfort and protection across years of travel and daily wear. 

Published on: Apr 28, 2026, 12:30:32 IST
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Research-Backed Choices

Every product we recommend is chosen through a combination of Primary Research and Secondary Research.

Wearing pink lens Aviators on a sunny day, soft tint, lightweight feel, effortless style that moves from errands to holidays seamlessly. (Hindustan Times)
Wearing pink lens Aviators on a sunny day, soft tint, lightweight feel, effortless style that moves from errands to holidays seamlessly. (Hindustan Times)
Neha Ravi Khandelwal

Neha Khandelwal
Content Lead, HT Travel | Travel & Lifestyle Journalist
With over 10 years of content writing experience, Neha Khandelwal is a lifestyle journalist and the Content Lead at HT Travel. She specialises in destinations, hotels, aviation, luggage, travel gear, and practical guides that help readers plan smarter and travel better. Her work combines first-hand experience, expert insights, and extensive research to create stories that are informative, useful, and easy to follow.

Career Journey & Experience
Neha began her writing career as a freelance journalist in 2010 before entering mainstream media with The Times of India in 2022. She later joined Hindustan Times, where she has written extensively across travel, lifestyle, home, and consumer trends. Her professional background extends beyond journalism. Before moving into digital media full-time, she spent nearly a decade in interior design, managing residential projects from concept to execution. She also trained in visual merchandising with Shoppers Stop and Pantaloons and worked with women-led startups across design and operations. These experiences continue to shape her storytelling, especially in how she evaluates hotels, design-led stays, hospitality spaces, and travel experiences.

A naturally curious learner, Neha has completed beginner certifications in pottery, scuba diving, baking, creative writing, and other creative pursuits. She has read more than 2,000 books, trained in Bharatanatyam for 8 years, and ghostwritten a book on Ladakh tourism.

Subject Expertise
Travel is at the heart of Neha's work. She covers destinations, hotels, airlines, luggage, packing strategies, travel accessories, and emerging travel trends through a mix of reporting, product testing, and conversations with industry experts. A frequent traveller herself, she approaches every trip with a journalist's curiosity and a planner's mindset, focusing on experiences that readers can realistically recreate. From choosing the right cabin bag to decoding hotel openings and destination trends, her writing prioritises practical advice over promotional claims. Her background in interior design also gives her a distinct perspective on architecture, hospitality design, boutique hotels, luxury stays, and thoughtfully designed spaces.

Education & Professional Background
Neha holds a Master's degree in Interior Design. Her early experience in interior design, visual merchandising, and design operations gives her a unique understanding of aesthetics, functionality, and user experience, adding depth to her coverage of hotels, resorts, and travel spaces.

Editorial Philosophy
"As an avid, research-driven traveller, my goal is simple. To answer the questions you actually have before booking a trip. I cut through the promotional noise with honest reporting and expert insights. Making travel planning seamless, smart, and reliable so you always know where to go next."

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I am not someone who collects accessories. Bags and shoes, yes. Everything else, I like to keep simple. So when I picked up my Aviators from Ray-Ban, the plan was clear. One pair that works for everything. Years later, I still haven’t felt the need to replace them.

The Aviator style has been around since 1937, and there is a reason it has stayed relevant. This version, with its pink photochromic lens from Ray-Ban's Evolve line, feels like a softer, more wearable take on the original. It is not trying to be sporty or overly technical. It fits right into everyday life.

Design and aesthetics

I have gone through phases with my face, a bit of weight loss here, a bit of gain there, and somehow this shape of sunglasses has always worked. That classic teardrop just gets it right. The slim metal frame keeps things light, and I barely notice I have them on most days.

The pink lens is what sold me. It adds a hint of colour without feeling loud. On holidays, it feels fun. On regular days, it blends in easily. I have even worn these with a saree at a wedding, and it did not feel out of place. That surprised me.

The branding is subtle, just the way I like it. You know what you are wearing, but it does not shout.

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Lens technology: The experience

The photochromic bit is what makes this pair work so well for me. Step out into the sun, and the lenses deepen in colour. Step indoors, and they go back to a lighter pink. I do not have to think about switching pairs of sunglasses throughout the day, which is exactly what I wanted.

I have worn these everywhere. Bali, Sri Lanka, a cruise, the sharp sun in Andaman, and even in the snow at Gulmarg, where the light can feel almost blinding. Through all of it, my eyes have felt comfortable and protected. The tint adds a slight warmth without making everything too dark.

A couple of things to know:

  • They do not get extremely dark, so peak afternoon sun can still feel a bit bright.
  • And inside a car, the lenses do not change much because of the windshield.
My Pair of Ray-Ban Aviators after years of use (Hindustan Times)
My Pair of Ray-Ban Aviators after years of use (Hindustan Times)

Fit, comfort, and wearability

These are easy to wear. The nose pads adjust nicely, and the frame is so light that I forget I have them on. From school runs to office days, they just stay put.

They cover well from the front, though a bit of light can sneak in from the sides. It has never bothered me enough to complain.

Style versatility: From dawn to dusk

This is where they really win. I can wear them indoors without feeling odd, thanks to the lighter tint. That alone makes them far more practical than darker sunglasses.

They work with almost everything I own. Casual outfits, travel looks, and even the occasional traditional outfit. The pink softens the overall look and adds a bit of personality without trying too hard.

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Value proposition and cons

For me, the biggest win is not having to buy another pair. I have used these for years, and they still look great. A quick clean and they are good to go. There are a few tiny scratches if you go looking, but nothing that shows in daily use.

The frame is slim, so I am careful with it. And if you are expecting very dark lenses, this might not be the pair for you.

If you want one pair that does it all and lasts, a nice, reliable pair of Ray-Ban Aviators is it. I bought them once and never looked back. 10 out of 10.

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(Disclaimer: The products featured in this review were purchased by the writer and reviewed after use for HT Shop Now. Our opinions remain independent and based on our personal experience with the items. At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, concerning the products.)

  • Neha Khandelwal
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Neha Khandelwal

    Neha Khandelwal Content Lead, HT Travel | Travel & Lifestyle Journalist With over 10 years of content writing experience, Neha Khandelwal is a lifestyle journalist and the Content Lead at HT Travel. She specialises in destinations, hotels, aviation, luggage, travel gear, and practical guides that help readers plan smarter and travel better. Her work combines first-hand experience, expert insights, and extensive research to create stories that are informative, useful, and easy to follow. Career Journey & Experience Neha began her writing career as a freelance journalist in 2010 before entering mainstream media with The Times of India in 2022. She later joined Hindustan Times, where she has written extensively across travel, lifestyle, home, and consumer trends. Her professional background extends beyond journalism. Before moving into digital media full-time, she spent nearly a decade in interior design, managing residential projects from concept to execution. She also trained in visual merchandising with Shoppers Stop and Pantaloons and worked with women-led startups across design and operations. These experiences continue to shape her storytelling, especially in how she evaluates hotels, design-led stays, hospitality spaces, and travel experiences. A naturally curious learner, Neha has completed beginner certifications in pottery, scuba diving, baking, creative writing, and other creative pursuits. She has read more than 2,000 books, trained in Bharatanatyam for 8 years, and ghostwritten a book on Ladakh tourism. Subject Expertise Travel is at the heart of Neha's work. She covers destinations, hotels, airlines, luggage, packing strategies, travel accessories, and emerging travel trends through a mix of reporting, product testing, and conversations with industry experts. A frequent traveller herself, she approaches every trip with a journalist's curiosity and a planner's mindset, focusing on experiences that readers can realistically recreate. From choosing the right cabin bag to decoding hotel openings and destination trends, her writing prioritises practical advice over promotional claims. Her background in interior design also gives her a distinct perspective on architecture, hospitality design, boutique hotels, luxury stays, and thoughtfully designed spaces. Education & Professional Background Neha holds a Master's degree in Interior Design. Her early experience in interior design, visual merchandising, and design operations gives her a unique understanding of aesthetics, functionality, and user experience, adding depth to her coverage of hotels, resorts, and travel spaces. Editorial Philosophy "As an avid, research-driven traveller, my goal is simple. To answer the questions you actually have before booking a trip. I cut through the promotional noise with honest reporting and expert insights. Making travel planning seamless, smart, and reliable so you always know where to go next."Read More

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