Collection: Persol Polarized Sunglasses

Persol polarized sunglasses are what you reach for when you want the glare gone and the craftsmanship kept — Italian-made frames paired with lenses engineered to cut the harsh, blinding reflections that bounce off water, roads and glass. This collection gathers Persol's polarised sunglasses in one place, from the legendary folding 649 lineage through to modern acetate and metal designs, with prices from around £155 to £230. Every pair is genuine, supplied by Ardor Eyewear as an authorised UK stockist, and each can be ordered with your prescription if you need one.

Persol has been making eyewear in Turin and beyond since 1917, and the brand built its reputation on sun protection long before it became a fashion name — "Persol" is a shortening of per il sole, "for the sun". Polarisation is the natural next chapter of that story: a lens technology that does not just darken the world but actively filters out the horizontal glare your eyes find most tiring. If you drive, sail, cycle, fish or simply spend long days outdoors, this is the Persol collection to start with.

What polarised lenses actually do

Glare is light that has been scattered into a single horizontal plane after bouncing off a flat surface — the bonnet of a car, a wet road, the sea. A polarised lens contains a microscopic filter that blocks that horizontal light while letting useful vertical light through. The result is a noticeable drop in eye strain, richer contrast, deeper colour and, crucially, the ability to see past surface reflections — into water, or across a sun-struck motorway. The Persol polarized sunglasses in this edit all pair that filtering with full UV protection, so your eyes are shielded as well as soothed.

Persol's crystal glass lenses deserve a special mention. Many of the brand's polarised sunglasses use optical glass rather than plastic, prized for its clarity and scratch resistance. Glass lenses give a sharpness that plastic struggles to match, which is part of why Persol has such a devoted following among people who care about what they actually see.

Iconic models in this Persol polarized sunglasses collection

The strength of Persol is that its designs are icons rather than trends. Several appear in this collection.

• PO9649S — the descendant of the original 649, first made in 1957 for Turin tram drivers who needed to shield their eyes from wind and glare. Its folding arms and Meflecto temples made it famous, and it remains one of the most recognisable sunglasses shapes in the world.
• PO3019S — a clean, classic silhouette that balances heritage and everyday wearability.
• PO3210S and PO2803S — contemporary shapes that carry the Persol arrow and Meflecto comfort into modern acetate designs.
• PO3328S and PO3336S — larger, more statement-driven frames for those who want presence as well as protection.

Whatever the shape, the details are constant: the silver freccia arrow at the hinge, the flexible Meflecto temples, and lenses ground for optical accuracy. If you would like to see how these compare with polarised styles from other houses, our wider polarised sunglasses hub is worth a look, as is the full Persol sunglasses collection for non-polarised alternatives.

Who should choose Persol polarized sunglasses

Polarisation earns its keep outdoors, so these frames suit particular lifestyles especially well.

Drivers

Cutting glare off wet tarmac and oncoming bonnets makes long drives far less tiring and improves reaction time in bright conditions. Persol's optical-grade lenses give the clean, distortion-free view a driver wants.

Water and outdoor sports

Sailing, fishing, paddleboarding and beach days all involve intense reflected light. Polarised lenses let you see beneath the surface and take the sting out of the brightest afternoons.

Everyday city wear

You do not need a boat to appreciate polarisation. Pavements, shop windows and car roofs throw glare in any high street, and a polarised lens simply makes a sunny day more comfortable to move through.

One practical note: because polarised lenses filter horizontal light, some LCD screens — certain dashboards, cash machines and phones — can look dim or show a rainbow pattern at particular angles. It is harmless and easily solved by tilting your head, but it is worth knowing before you buy.

Choosing the right Persol polarized sunglasses for your face

Fit matters as much with sunglasses as with optical frames, because a well-sized sunglass shields your eyes properly and stays comfortable for hours.

• Round or soft faces gain welcome structure from angular and squarer frames such as the larger 33-series shapes.
• Square or angular faces are softened by the rounder, more classic silhouettes in the 649 and 3019 families.
• Oval faces suit almost anything, so choose by mood — heritage folding frame one day, bold acetate the next.

Check the size markings inside the temple (eye size, bridge, temple length) and aim for a frame whose front is close to the width of your face, with the lenses covering the eye area generously for proper sun protection. If you love the classic teardrop look, you might also compare these with our aviator sunglasses collection.

Prescription Persol polarized sunglasses at Ardor

You do not have to choose between prescription and polarisation. Most frames in this collection can be glazed with prescription polarised lenses, so you get glare-cutting clarity and your correction in a single pair — ideal for driving and holidays. We also offer prescription options across single-vision and varifocal, and if you want to browse the wider category you can visit our prescription sunglasses range. Prescription orders take roughly 7–10 working days for glazing, with free UK delivery. Want a matching optical pair for indoors? See our full prescription glasses selection.

Materials, comfort and the Meflecto difference

Persol frames are made from Italian acetate, lightweight metals, or a combination of both. Acetate models offer depth of colour and a warm feel against the skin; metal frames such as the 649-derived shapes bring a slim, timeless profile. Running through the range is the Meflecto temple system — those small flexible cylinders in the arms that let the temples give slightly and grip the head without pressure. Combined with sprung or classic hinges and, on many models, folding arms, it makes Persol sunglasses genuinely comfortable to wear all day and easy to tuck away safely.

Men's and women's styling

Persol's sunglasses lean unisex, which is exactly why they have such broad appeal. The folding 649 and the mid-size classics flatter most faces regardless of gender, while the larger statement frames suit anyone wanting more coverage and drama. For outfit pairing, keep it simple: a tortoiseshell acetate warms up earthy, tailored looks; a black or dark-lens frame sharpens monochrome and denim. If you are shopping for a specific person, our men's sunglasses and women's sunglasses hubs help you narrow the field.

Caring for polarised lenses

Treat the lenses gently to protect both the polarising filter and any glass coating. Rinse off grit before wiping, clean with a little washing-up liquid and lukewarm water, and dry with a microfibre cloth — never a dry tissue, which can scratch. Always store the sunglasses in their case, keep them off hot surfaces, and have the fit checked at an optician now and then so the Meflecto temples continue to sit correctly. Looked after, a pair of Persol sunglasses lasts for many seasons.

Polarised versus standard tinted lenses

It is worth being clear about what polarisation does and does not do, because it is often confused with simple darkness or UV protection. A standard tinted lens reduces overall brightness and, if it is a quality lens, blocks ultraviolet light — but it treats all glare equally. A polarised lens goes further by specifically neutralising the intense horizontal glare that bounces off flat surfaces. The practical result is that two lenses of identical darkness can perform very differently: the polarised one reveals detail in bright, reflective conditions that the plain tint simply washes out. This is why anglers can see fish beneath the surface and drivers see the road more clearly through polarised Persols. The trade-off is minor — occasional interference with LCD screens — and for anyone who spends real time outdoors, the benefit far outweighs it. If your days are mostly indoors or your priority is a specific colour or style rather than glare control, a standard tint may suit you just as well, and you can compare both across our wider polarised sunglasses and full Persol sunglasses ranges.

Reading Persol polarized sunglasses sizing

Sunglasses need to be sized carefully so they shield your eyes properly and stay put through an active day. Persol prints three figures inside the temple that tell you everything you need.

Marking	Meaning	Fit impact
First number	Lens width (mm)	Governs coverage and overall frame width against the face
Second number	Bridge width (mm)	Sets how the frame balances on the nose
Third number	Temple length (mm)	Controls comfort where the arms pass over the ears

Compare these numbers to a pair you already own and love, and you will get the fit right first time. For sunglasses in particular, aim for generous coverage over the eye area so stray light and glare are blocked from the sides as well as the front. If your frames need a small tweak after they arrive, an optician can adjust the temples and nose fit in minutes.

Lens colours and what they do

Beyond polarisation itself, the colour of the lens subtly changes how you see the world, and Persol offers several options. Classic grey and green lenses preserve colours most faithfully and are the safest all-round choice for driving and general wear. Brown and amber tints boost contrast and depth perception, which many people prefer for overcast conditions, golf or sport, as they make the landscape feel crisper. Persol's signature crystal glass in these tints has a clarity that plastic rarely matches, and combined with polarisation the effect on a bright day is genuinely calming for the eyes. If you are unsure, a neutral grey or green polarised lens is the most versatile starting point, while a brown gives a warmer, more characterful view. Whichever you choose, every frame in this collection blocks harmful ultraviolet light as standard, so your eyes are protected regardless of tint.

Why buy Persol polarized sunglasses from Ardor Eyewear

As an authorised UK stockist we sell only genuine Persol, complete with correct markings and original packaging. You get free UK delivery, an in-house prescription glazing service that can add polarised prescription lenses, and a 14-day returns policy for peace of mind (customers cover return postage). For a sense of the wider designer range we carry, browse our designer sunglasses edit — but for glare-cutting Italian craftsmanship with genuine heritage, this Persol collection is hard to beat.

Frequently asked questions about Persol polarized sunglasses

How do I know if a pair is polarised?

Every frame listed in this collection is polarised. Persol also marks its polarised lenses, and you can confirm the effect by looking at glare off a shiny surface, which the lens visibly reduces.

Are polarised lenses worth it for driving?

Yes — polarisation cuts the horizontal glare that reflects off roads and car bonnets, reducing eye strain and improving contrast in bright conditions, which many drivers find makes a real difference.

Can I get Persol polarized sunglasses with my prescription?

Most frames here can be glazed with prescription polarised lenses. Add your prescription at checkout and we will make them up for you; glazing takes about 7–10 working days.

Why do some screens look strange through polarised lenses?

Certain LCD screens emit polarised light, so they can dim or show a faint rainbow at some angles. It is harmless — simply tilt your head slightly to see the display clearly.

Do Persol polarized sunglasses block UV?

Yes. Polarisation reduces glare, and the lenses also provide full ultraviolet protection to shield your eyes from harmful sun exposure.

What makes the Persol 649 so famous?

The 649 was designed in 1957 for Turin tram drivers and popularised worldwide when it appeared on screen. Its folding arms, Meflecto temples and signature arrow made it an enduring icon.

Are the lenses glass or plastic?

Many Persol sunglasses use crystal optical glass, prized for clarity and scratch resistance, while some models use lightweight plastic lenses. The product details for each frame confirm which it is.