Persol at Ardor Eyewear

Persol — from the Italian per il sole, “for the sun” — has been making sunglasses in Italy since 1917. The brand’s heritage is in handcrafted acetate frames with patented innovations: the Meflecto flex hinge, the Supreme Arrow on the temple, and crystal lenses that meet some of the strictest optical standards in the industry.

At Ardor Eyewear we stock the current Persol range, including iconic models that have remained in production for decades.

Browse: Persol Sunglasses

What makes Persol distinctive

Meflecto hinge system

Persol’s patented stainless-steel cylinders inside the temples allow the arms to flex outward to fit any face, making them genuinely comfortable to wear all day.

Supreme Arrow

The metal arrow on the side of every Persol temple has been the brand’s mark since the 1930s. It’s structural as well as decorative — a small but distinctive design signature.

Italian crystal lenses

Persol uses crystal lenses (mineral glass) on most of its sun line. Crystal lenses are heavier than plastic but offer exceptional optical clarity and scratch resistance. Polarised options are available across the range.

The icon: PO0714

The folding aviator that Steve McQueen wore in The Thomas Crown Affair (1968). Still in production today in the same shape and folding hinge design. One of the most enduring eyewear styles ever made.

Other Persol classics

PO3019S — the squared keyhole-bridge sunglass
PO0649 — oversized acetate originally designed for tram drivers in the 1950s
PO3217S — modern unisex shape with classic Supreme Arrow detailing

Prescription Persol

Most Persol styles take prescription lenses, including the iconic 0714 folding aviator. Note that crystal mineral lenses (Persol’s standard) are heavier than plastic high-index lenses; for stronger prescriptions, we usually recommend switching to one of our high-index plastic options to keep weight down.

Browse the full Persol range: Persol at Ardor Eyewear →