Persol vs Ray-Ban: Which One Suits You?

Updated: 24 July 2026 · By the Eye-Shop.eu team

Two legends, two characters

Persol was born in 1917 in Turin, made for pilots and racing drivers; Ray-Ban arrived in 1937 in the USA, made for the pilots of the air force. The first house stayed faithful to a handcrafted, almost "couture" approach; the second became the eyewear of cinema, music and the street. Here we stick to the practical question: which one should you buy?

Construction & signatures

• Persol: high-quality acetate with a handmade finish, the silver Supreme Arrow on the temples, the patented Meflecto system that makes the temples flexible for pressure-free comfort, and crystal lenses with exceptional optical clarity.
• Ray-Ban: a wider range of materials (metal, acetate, bio-based materials, titanium on select models), the legendary G-15 and B-15 lenses, broad availability of polarized and Chromance, and endless colour combinations across every shape.

The iconic models

Persol's "rule of three": the PO0649 (born in 1957 for the tram drivers of Turin), the folding PO0714 beloved by Steve McQueen, and the rounded PO3092. Ray-Ban's "holy trinity": Aviator, Wayfarer, Clubmaster — if you are torn between them, browse the full Ray-Ban collection to compare shapes side by side.

The comparison table

Which one to choose

Go for Persol if: you are won over by detail that doesn't shout, you dress more classic/professional, you value the feel of the handmade and want eyewear that will "grow" with you. Go for Ray-Ban if: you want the most versatile and recognisable eyewear, greater freedom in colours and shapes, or you are buying your first "proper" pair of sunglasses.

Both brands belong to EssilorLuxottica, and at Eye-Shop.eu you'll find them 100% authentic, from an official reseller: see the full Persol and Ray-Ban collections, or browse our wider sunglasses collection for confident shopping.