Collection: Persol Medium Sunglasses

Our Persol medium sunglasses collection is built around one deceptively important idea: fit. A medium frame is the true middle ground of eyewear, generous enough to make a statement yet balanced enough to sit comfortably on the majority of faces, and Persol interprets that sweet spot better than almost anyone. Here you will find celebrated references such as the folding PO0714, the legendary PO0649, and modern favourites like the PO3286S, PO3272S, PO3152S and the PO3378S "Loris", every one a genuine, authorised-stockist purchase from Ardor Eyewear.

Why medium-fit Persol sunglasses are so wearable

Frame size is measured across three numbers stamped inside the temple: lens width, bridge width and temple length. A medium fit typically means a lens width in the region of 52–56mm, which is why these sunglasses flatter such a broad range of wearers. They neither swamp a smaller face nor pinch a larger one; they simply sit where they should, with the temples reaching the ears without pressure and the lenses centred over the eyes. For anyone who has struggled between frames that feel too dainty and frames that feel oversized, Persol medium sunglasses are usually the answer.

Persol's heritage adds substance to that comfort. Founded in Turin in 1917, the house engineered eyewear for pilots and racing drivers, and two inventions from that era still define the brand. The Meflecto system builds flexible cylinders into the temple arms so they gently conform to the head, while the Supreme Arrow hinge, that sculpted metal arc across the temple, both reinforces and signs the frame. Many models also use thick optical crystal lenses for scratch resistance and razor-sharp clarity.

The icons: PO0649 and PO0714 folding

No medium-fit Persol edit is complete without its two most storied models. The PO0649, launched in 1957, was originally designed for Turin's tram drivers and went on to become a genuine style icon, worn on screen and off for more than six decades. The PO0714 is the folding evolution of that design, engineering the same silhouette so it collapses neatly to slip into a pocket, a piece forever associated with Steve McQueen. Both wear as a comfortable medium and demonstrate exactly why Persol's proportions have endured. Around them sit contemporary pieces such as the sleek PO3272S and the characterful PO3378S "Loris", giving the collection both nostalgia and newness.

Finding your fit and face shape

A medium frame is forgiving, but a little guidance sharpens the choice:

• Oval faces can wear almost any medium Persol; you have the most freedom.
• Round faces benefit from a squarer medium frame that adds definition.
• Square faces are softened by rounder or panto-shaped mediums like the PO0649.
• Smaller faces should favour the lower end of the medium range; larger faces the upper end.

If a medium fit feels a touch small once you try it, our roomier styles are only a click away; if it feels large, size down. To explore the full house across every size and shape, visit the main Persol sunglasses collection, or browse our wider designer sunglasses hub for cross-brand comparison.

Materials, lenses and prescription glazing

Persol works in premium hand-polished acetate, most famously its warm Havana tortoiseshell, alongside gloss black, smoke and metal-accented builds. On the lenses you can choose solid tints, gradients, and polarised options that cut glare from roads and water, a natural fit given the brand's driving heritage. Every pair carries full UV400 protection. Glare-sensitive wearers should see our polarised sunglasses edit. Because these frames can usually be glazed to your own prescription, a medium Persol can become your everyday prescription sunglasses; our prescription sunglasses service handles single vision, varifocal and tinted lenses.

Styling and occasions

The beauty of a medium frame is its go-anywhere balance. A Havana PO0649 dresses down denim and knitwear yet holds its own with tailoring; a folding PO0714 is the traveller's companion, tucking away when the sun dips; a modern PO3286S or PO3152S brings a cleaner, contemporary edge for city days. Because medium Persols avoid extremes, they transition effortlessly from the office to the terrace to the driver's seat. A medium fit is also the most flattering choice for photographs, since the frame frames the eyes without dominating the face, which is part of why these models appear so often on screen and in editorial. For optical needs alongside your sun frames, our designer glasses collection offers the same authentic Persol craftsmanship, and dedicated men's sunglasses shoppers will find many of these icons feature there too.

The Persol difference in a medium frame

It is worth understanding why Persol's medium frames feel different from other designer sunglasses in the same size bracket. First, the acetate is genuinely thick and hand-finished, so the frame has a reassuring density without becoming heavy. Second, the crystal lenses used across much of the range are optical-grade mineral glass rather than standard plastic, which means sharper vision and far greater scratch resistance, a meaningful advantage on a pair you intend to keep for years. Third, the Meflecto temples are a patented comfort system rather than a marketing claim; you feel the gentle spring as you put them on. For a mid-sized frame that you will wear day in, day out, these details add up to a noticeably better everyday experience.

Why shop with Ardor Eyewear

Ardor Eyewear is a UK retailer of genuine designer eyewear and an authorised Persol stockist. Every pair is 100% authentic and arrives with official case, cloth and documentation. We offer free UK shipping, glaze prescription orders in roughly seven to ten working days, and back purchases with a 14-day returns policy (customers cover return postage). With this collection priced from around £150 to £240, you are buying iconic Italian design at a fair UK price.

Caring for medium-fit Persols

Clean lenses with the supplied microfibre cloth and a little lukewarm water, avoiding alcohol wipes that can dull acetate. Fold folding models along their designed creases only, and store every pair in its case between wears. If the Meflecto temples loosen over time, an optician can readjust them in moments to restore the secure, comfortable hold that makes a medium Persol such a pleasure to wear all day.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as a medium sunglasses fit?

Generally a lens width around 52–56mm, shown as the first number stamped inside the temple. It is the balanced middle ground that suits the majority of adult faces.

Is the PO0649 a medium frame?

Yes, the classic PO0649 wears as a comfortable medium, which is one reason it has stayed a favourite since 1957. The folding PO0714 shares the same silhouette.

Are these Persol sunglasses genuine?

Absolutely. Ardor Eyewear is an authorised UK stockist and every pair is 100% authentic, complete with official Persol packaging.

Can I add my prescription?

Most medium Persol frames can be glazed with prescription lenses, including single vision, varifocal and tinted. Start via our prescription sunglasses service.

Are polarised lenses available?

Yes. Several models offer polarised lenses to cut glare from roads and water, alongside the full UV400 protection every pair provides.

How do folding Persol sunglasses work?

Models such as the PO0714 are engineered to fold at the bridge and temples so they collapse to a compact size, slipping easily into a pocket or bag without a bulky case.

What are your delivery and returns terms?

Standard orders ship free within the UK; prescription orders take around seven to ten working days. Unworn frames can be returned within 14 days, with the customer paying return postage.