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A top bar is a horizontal bar of plastic or metal that connects the two lenses of an eyeglass frame by running across the top. It sits above the main bridge that rests on your nose. This feature is also commonly called a "brow bar." When a frame has both a top bar and a main bridge, it is known as a "double bridge" style.
read more about top bar on an eyeglass frame ...The top bar was not always just for looks. On early thin metal frames, like the first aviators, this second bar provided a great deal of structural support. It added strength and stability to the frame front, helping to prevent the lenses and bridge from bending or breaking with use. It made the entire frame more durable.
Today, the top bar is most often a style feature. It is the most recognizable design element of the classic aviator sunglass. It is also used in many other frame shapes, often called "navigator" frames, to create a bold or retro look. It adds a strong horizontal line that defines the character of the glasses.
A frame with a top bar can be a very flattering style for many people. The strong horizontal line can draw attention upward, which can look great on someone with a longer face shape. It is a very popular style in men's and unisex eyewear and often gives off a sporty, classic, or confident vibe.
From a styling perspective, a top bar is a powerful tool for balancing facial features. The high, straight line of the bar effectively "shortens" the appearance of the face. This makes double-bridge frames an excellent choice for people with oblong or oval face shapes who want to break up the vertical length of their face and add width to the browline.
The most common name for this style is an "aviator." You will also hear it called a "double bridge" frame. "Navigator" is another name for styles that are more squared-off but still have the top bar.
They are very similar. A "top bar" or "brow bar" is the general term for the structural piece. A "sweat bar" is a type of top bar, usually one on an aviator that is wrapped in plastic or leather to help block sweat.
No. While they started on metal frames, many modern plastic and acetate frames now feature a top bar. A plastic top bar creates a very bold and fashionable look.
If you like the look of a double bridge frame, your optician can help you find one that is the right size and proportion for your face. Because these frames are often large, a good fit is important. Your optician will make sure the main bridge sits correctly on your nose and that the lenses are properly centered for your vision.
Double-Bridge Glasses & Frames. Yesglasses. https://www.yesglasses.com/eyeglasses/double-bridge. Accessed April 7, 2026.
Double-Bridge Glasses Through the Decades. UOOSD. https://www.uoosd.com/double-bridge-glasses-through-the-decades. Accessed April 7, 2026.
Aviator Sunglasses. Ray-Ban. https://www.ray-ban.com/global/sunglasses/aviator. Accessed April 7, 2026.
What Is a Sweat Bar on Aviator Glasses? Lens.com. https://www.lens.com/what-is/a-sweat-bar-on-aviator-sunglasses/. Accessed April 7, 2026.
How Should Glasses Fit? SportRx. https://www.sportrx.com/blog/how-should-glasses-fit/. Accessed April 7, 2026.