Polarizing coatings are formed from dyestuffs which provide a stable liquid crystalline phase in a wide range of concentrations, temperatures and pH-values. Particles formed by aggregates of the liquid crystal molecules are oriented in a predetermined direction to polarize light. The stability of the liquid crystalline state allows orienting the particles by mechanical forces such as a shearing force applied when the liquid crystal (10) is spread on a support surface (20) by a knife-like doctor (90) or a tension deformation force acting on the meniscus of the liquid crystal deposited between two surfaces (20, 30) as the surfaces are peeled off one another. As a result, the polarizing coatings are formed in some embodiments by simple methods. In some embodiments, the polarizing coatings have a high lightfastness, a high thermal stability, and a high dichroic ratio.