A polarizing optical element is produced by firstly forming a polarizing multilayer structure (30) on a support (31). The structure comprises an orienting layer and a polarizing layer having dichroic compounds, the dichroic compounds being oriented by the orienting layer. The multilayer structure is then pressed against one surface of the optical element (40) through the support, with a portion of adhesive placed between the structure and the optical element. The support (31) for the structure is then removed, leaving the structure (30) bonded to the optical element (40).