Collection: Persol Large Sunglasses

Our Persol large sunglasses collection gathers the boldest, most generously proportioned frames from the storied Italian house, curated for anyone who wants a sunglass with genuine presence on the face. Persol has been made in Italy since 1917, and this edit brings together the models with wider lenses, deeper temples and stronger bridges — the shapes that suit larger head sizes, broader features and the confident, cover-your-cheekbones look that never really goes out of fashion. Every frame is 100% authentic and supplied as an authorised UK stockist, so you can shop the heritage with complete confidence.

Why choose Persol large sunglasses?

Persol is one of the few eyewear names where the engineering is as celebrated as the styling. The house was founded in Turin by Giuseppe Ratti, originally making protective eyewear for pilots and racing drivers, and that technical DNA still runs through every pair. When you move up into the larger fits, those signature details become even more pronounced. The Meflecto system — a set of tiny flexible cylinders set into the temples — lets the arms flex and grip a wider face gently rather than pinching, which is exactly what you want from a frame with more coverage. The patented Supreme Arrow hinge, the sculpted metal motif that runs across the side of the temple, is a Persol calling card and looks especially striking on a broader profile.

Then there is the glass. Persol has long favoured genuine crystal (mineral) lenses on many of its icons, ground and polished for optical clarity and natural scratch resistance. On the larger models this means a wide, distortion-free field of view and rich, faithful colour. If you have ever found smaller sunglasses feel fiddly or leave gaps of light around the edges, a large-fit Persol is the antidote.

The icons: 649, 714 and the large-fit heritage

Two model numbers matter more than any others when you talk about Persol at scale. The PO0649 is the frame that started the legend — a substantial, slightly squared shape first produced in 1957, originally cut large so tram drivers could shield their eyes from the wind. Its meaty acetate profile and prominent arrow make it one of the most recognisable sunglasses ever made, and it remains a cornerstone of any large-fit Persol edit.

The PO0714 Folding takes that same 649 aesthetic and adds Persol's ingenious folding mechanism, collapsing into a compact form you can tuck away — famously the style associated with Steve McQueen, who wore his own custom pair. Alongside these heritage pieces, this collection carries contemporary large silhouettes such as the PO3019S, the sculpted PO3272S, the wraparound-leaning PO3210S and the assertive PO3378S Loris, giving you a spread of both timeless and modern large-frame looks. Prices across the collection typically run from around £155 to £240, keeping genuine Italian craftsmanship within reach.

Who suits large-fit sunglasses?

Frame size is really about balance. A larger sunglass flatters wider faces, longer face lengths and stronger bone structure, because a bigger lens keeps everything in proportion — a small frame on a broad face tends to look lost. As a quick guide, look at the temple width printed inside your current glasses (the third number, in millimetres): if yours is 145mm or more, you will likely feel most comfortable in these larger fits. Deeper lenses also mean better sun coverage, blocking stray light from above and the sides, which is why so many drivers and outdoor types gravitate to bigger Persols.

These frames are largely unisex in spirit, though the collection leans towards a confident, masculine-friendly scale. If you specifically want a broad men's silhouette, browse our wider men's sunglasses range too, and women who love an oversized, glamorous look will find plenty here as well as in our women's sunglasses edit.

Shapes, materials and finishes

Within the large Persol family you will find squared classics like the 649, softer keyhole-bridge shapes, pilot-inspired metals and modern injected forms. Acetate is the dominant material — Persol uses rich, layered acetates in tortoise (the famous Havana), gloss black, smoke and translucent tones that reveal depth in the light. Metal models bring a lighter, more architectural feel, often with adjustable nose pads for a precise fit. For fans of a classic aviator silhouette scaled up, our dedicated aviator sunglasses collection is worth a look alongside these.

Lens tints range from the traditional Persol brown and green crystal — beautifully natural for everyday wear — through to gradient and mirrored options on selected styles. Many large Persols are available with polarised lenses, which cut glare from roads, water and bright surfaces; if that is a priority, our polarised sunglasses collection lets you compare polarised options across brands.

Prescription and lens options at Ardor

Love the look but need vision correction? Most Persol sunglasses in this collection can be fitted with prescription lenses, including single vision, varifocal, bifocal and tinted sun-prescription options. That means you can have a genuine large-fit Persol made up to your exact prescription as a sunglass. Explore the possibilities in our prescription sunglasses range, and remember that glazed prescription orders typically take around 7–10 working days. UK shipping is free, and every order is covered by our 14-day returns policy (return postage is paid by the customer).

Buying genuine Persol from Ardor

As an authorised UK retailer of designer eyewear, Ardor supplies only authentic Persol frames, complete with the brand's case and documentation. To see the full breadth of the range beyond the larger fits, visit our main Persol sunglasses collection, or browse the wider world of premium eyewear in our designer sunglasses hub. A little frame care goes a long way with crystal lenses and acetate: clean with a microfibre cloth and lens spray rather than tissue, keep them in their case when not worn, and avoid leaving them on a hot dashboard where acetate can warp.

Frequently asked questions

What makes a Persol sunglass "large"?

These are the models with wider lenses, longer temples and more generous bridges than Persol's standard fits — think lens widths and overall frame dimensions built to suit broader or longer faces. If your current frames feel tight at the temples or leave gaps around the lens, a large fit will usually feel more comfortable and look better balanced.

Are large Persol sunglasses only for men?

No. While the larger scale has a confident, sometimes masculine character, these frames are unisex and many women choose them for an oversized, glamorous effect. Fit is about your face size and shape, not gender, so choose the proportion that suits you.

Can I get Persol large sunglasses with my prescription?

Yes — most frames in this collection accept prescription lenses, including single vision and varifocal, plus tinted sun-prescription and polarised options on many styles. You can order them glazed to your prescription directly through Ardor.

Are the lenses polarised?

Some Persol large models come with polarised crystal lenses, which dramatically reduce glare from roads and reflective surfaces, while others use standard tinted lenses. Check the individual product page, or browse our polarised sunglasses collection to compare.

Is the PO0649 or PO0714 a large fit?

Both were originally cut on the generous side — the 649 is a substantial squared classic, and the 714 is its folding sibling. They sit naturally within a large-fit Persol edit and remain among the brand's most iconic silhouettes.

How much do Persol large sunglasses cost at Ardor?

Prices in this collection generally range from about £155 to £240 depending on the model, materials and lens type. All are genuine Persol frames supplied by an authorised UK stockist.

How long does delivery take?

Standard non-prescription sunglasses ship on free UK delivery. If you order lenses glazed to your prescription, allow roughly 7–10 working days for the lenses to be made up before dispatch.

What if the fit isn't right?

You are covered by our 14-day returns policy. If a frame doesn't suit you, return it within 14 days (return postage is paid by the customer) and we'll help you find a better match.