Collection: Persol Acetate Sunglasses

Our Persol acetate sunglasses collection celebrates the material that has defined the Turin house since 1917: rich, hand-worked cellulose acetate cut from solid blocks and polished to a warm, glassy depth. Persol built its reputation on making eyewear that is both engineered and beautiful, and nowhere is that clearer than in its acetate frames, where the colour, the weight and the finish all speak of genuine craftsmanship. With frames spanning roughly £150 to £240, this edit brings authentic Italian acetate to UK shoppers who care as much about how a frame is made as how it looks.

What makes Persol acetate sunglasses special

Acetate is often treated as an interchangeable material, but Persol acetate sunglasses show why the quality of the raw block matters so much. Persol uses cotton-based cellulose acetate, a plant-derived plastic that is hypoallergenic, lightweight and able to hold deep, layered colour in a way injection-moulded frames never can. Each frame front is milled from a solid sheet, tumbled for days to smooth every edge, and hand-polished so the surface gains that unmistakable glossy warmth. The result is a frame that feels substantial on the face without being heavy, and that develops character rather than looking tired with age.

Because Ardor Eyewear is an authorised UK stockist, every pair is 100% authentic and arrives with its official Persol case. That authenticity is central to the acetate experience: genuine Persol tortoiseshell is layered so that no two frames are quite the same, and the depth of a real Havana finish is impossible to fake convincingly.

Iconic acetate models in this Persol collection

Acetate is the natural home of Persol's most famous designs. The 649, created in 1957 for Turin's tram drivers, is a bold panto shape defined by its keyhole bridge and thick acetate profile, and it remains one of the most recognisable sunglass silhouettes ever made. The folding 714 takes that same acetate front and hinges it to fold flat, the design forever tied to Steve McQueen. You will find both as the PO0649 and PO0714 here, alongside contemporary acetate references such as the PO3019S, PO3286S, PO3272S and PO3210S, which reinterpret the house style with squared and panto fronts in fresh colourways.

Whatever the shape, the Persol signatures carry across the range: the sculpted metal arrow on the temples, the supreme arrow hinge reinforcing the join between front and stem, and the Meflecto flexible rods inside the arms that let the frame adapt gently to your head.

Colours and finishes

The colour palette is a large part of the appeal. Classic Havana tortoiseshell remains the signature, its browns and ambers layered for real depth, but the acetate range also runs to solid black, translucent smoke, terracotta, bottle green and striped combinations. Because acetate holds pigment throughout the material rather than on the surface, these tones stay rich and never flake. If you want a frame that reads as quietly expensive, a translucent or layered acetate is a superb choice.

Choosing and fitting your Persol acetate frames

Acetate frames tend to sit a little bolder on the face than thin metal, so they are a great way to add presence and structure. Rounder faces gain definition from squarer acetate fronts, while angular faces are softened by the panto curves of a 649-style frame. The keyhole bridge common across Persol suits medium to higher nose bridges particularly well. Thanks to the Meflecto stems, an acetate Persol will flex to fit comfortably even if your temples are slightly wider than the nominal size.

Most of these frames are unisex, worn just as happily by men and women. To see how the acetate pieces sit within the broader range, browse our complete Persol sunglasses collection, or widen the net with our full sunglasses edit. Shoppers comparing premium labels may also enjoy our designer sunglasses selection.

Prescription and lens options

An acetate Persol frame makes an excellent base for prescription sunglasses. At Ardor we glaze single vision, varifocal, bifocal, tinted and photochromic lenses, so you can turn any of these frames into bespoke optical eyewear. If reflections bother you on the road or by the water, a polarised lens is well worth considering; explore the options in our polarised sunglasses range, or learn more about turning designer frames into everyday wear in our prescription sunglasses collection. Prescription glazing usually takes around seven to ten working days.

Caring for acetate sunglasses

Acetate rewards a little care. Clean your frames with a microfibre cloth and a spot of mild soapy water rather than harsh chemicals, which can dull the polish over time. Avoid leaving them on a hot dashboard, as prolonged heat can slowly relax the material. If the arms ever feel loose or tight, an optician can gently reshape acetate with warmth and re-adjust the Meflecto stems. Stored in its case when not worn, a Persol acetate frame will keep its glassy finish for many years.

Why buy Persol acetate from Ardor Eyewear

Every pair of Persol acetate sunglasses ships free within the UK and is backed by our 14-day returns policy, so you can check the fit at home (return postage is covered by the customer). As an authorised stockist we guarantee authenticity, and our in-house glazing means you are never limited to plain lenses. For a frame material this considered, buying genuine from a trusted UK retailer is the only way to get the full experience.

Frequently asked questions

What is acetate and why does Persol use it?

Acetate is a plant-based, cotton-derived plastic that is lightweight, hypoallergenic and able to hold deep, layered colour. Persol cuts its frames from solid acetate blocks and hand-polishes them for a warm, glossy finish that moulded plastic cannot match.

Are Persol acetate sunglasses genuine at Ardor?

Yes. We are an authorised UK stockist and every pair is 100% authentic Persol, supplied with its official case and documentation.

Can acetate frames be fitted with my prescription?

Most acetate frames in this collection can be glazed with single vision, varifocal, bifocal, tinted or photochromic lenses. Prescription orders take around seven to ten working days.

How do I keep my acetate frames looking new?

Clean them with a microfibre cloth and mild soapy water, keep them out of prolonged heat, and store them in their case. An optician can gently re-adjust the fit if needed.

Which acetate Persol models are the most iconic?

The 649 and the folding 714 are the definitive acetate designs, the latter closely associated with Steve McQueen. Modern references such as the PO3019S and PO3286S also feature in this collection.

Is acetate heavier than metal?

Acetate frames have a slightly bolder profile, but the material is light and the Meflecto stems keep them comfortable. Many wearers find a well-fitted acetate frame more secure and pleasant to wear than thin metal.

What does delivery and returns look like?

UK delivery is free and we offer a 14-day returns policy. Non-prescription pairs ship quickly, while prescription orders take around seven to ten working days. Return postage is paid by the customer.