Eyewear Icon: The Real Reason Wiz Khalifa Wears Shades Indoors and 5 Stylish Frames He Has Rocked

While the accessory has long been associated with his laid-back image, the rapper recently shared that his trademark look is rooted in necessity as well as fashion.

During a podcast appearance in March 2024, Wiz Khalifa opened up about the reason he often wears sunglasses indoors, explaining that the habit stems from vision problems he has dealt with since childhood.

The conversation began after the podcast host spoke about living with astigmatism and joked about online comments regarding his eyes. The rapper quickly revealed that he has the same condition, sharing:

"Oh, okay. I got stigmatism as well. That's why I wear the sunglasses. You just got to always keep, like, a cool little pair of shades so when they start […] you just throw those on."

Khalifa went on to explain that he wears contact lenses and has struggled with poor eyesight for as long as he can remember. "I had bad vision, actually, since I was born," he said.

He then recalled a story his mother told him about the first time he received prescription glasses as a child. According to Khalifa, stepping outside with them completely changed the way he experienced the world.

"I was like, 'Oh, wow, that's what those things are on the trees,'" he remembered, explaining that he had never been able to clearly see the leaves before wearing glasses.

Over the years, the Taylor Gang founder has been spotted wearing everything from bold designer frames to understated classics.

The rapper also joked that everyday sounds suddenly made more sense once his eyesight improved. "The car sirens stopped going off when I went outside, you know. The dogs stopped barking because I was able to see correctly," he quipped.

When the host later mentioned the medical name for his own eye condition, exotropia, Khalifa laughed off any attempt to label his own, responding, "My [expletive] ain't really got no name all like that."

Five Stylish Frames Wiz Khalifa Has Worn

While Khalifa's sunglasses serve a practical purpose, they have also become one of the defining features of his personal style. Over the years, the Taylor Gang founder has been spotted wearing everything from bold designer frames to understated classics.

1. Saint Laurent's Retro Bug-Eye Sunglasses

One of the rapper's boldest eyewear choices appeared in the music video for "Bake Sale." Rather than opting for a subtle design, he wore oversized optic white bug-eye sunglasses from Saint Laurent, including a checkerboard-inspired pair.

The dramatic retro silhouette complemented the colorful visuals of the music video, giving the already psychedelic setting an even more playful aesthetic.

The distinctive frames also drew comparisons to the oversized sunglasses famously worn by Kurt Cobain during the early 1990s.

2. Tortoiseshell Frames by MMM

While the "Bake Sale" video leaned toward statement eyewear, Khalifa balanced things out with a more refined pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses from MMM, which made an appearance in the music video for "Elevated."

3. Thierry Lasry "DARKSIDY" Sunglasses

Khalifa has also been seen wearing Thierry Lasry's "DARKSIDY" sunglasses in black and light brown. The angular frame combines thick rims across the brow with translucent detailing around the lower half, creating a layered look that stands out without being overpowering.

The design is finished with dark-tinted lenses, making it a natural fit for the Pittsburgh native's signature off-duty style.

4. MYKITA Maison Margiela MMESSE005

Among the "Black and Yellow" rapper's more futuristic eyewear choices is the MYKITA Maison Margiela MMESSE005 in gold. The minimalist metal frame is paired with reflective mirrored lenses, creating a sleek, high-fashion appearance.

Its lightweight construction and geometric lines give the sunglasses a modern edge while maintaining the understated aesthetic that has become synonymous with the German eyewear brand.

5. Eyetique's "The Elevators" Aviators

Khalifa has also ventured into eyewear design himself through a collaboration with Eyetique. The partnership resulted in "The Elevators," a line of aviator sunglasses inspired by his own style.

Featuring classic aviator proportions with contemporary detailing, the collection reflects the clean, versatile look Khalifa has embraced throughout much of his career. He can also be seen wearing the shades in the video for his breakthrough hit, "Black and Yellow."

Whether he is choosing designer statement pieces or promoting his own collection, Wiz Khalifa's eyewear has become an extension of both his image and his everyday life.

As the rapper recently explained, however, the sunglasses are more than a fashion accessory — they also help him manage the vision problems he has lived with since childhood.