Sunglasses from Outer Space

The Voyager Collection: Good stories. Better shades.

By The Editors
March 4, 2015 9:00 am

From Stan Lee to Charles Darwin, everybody likes a good origin story.

Same goes for the gear we wear.

When somebody tells you look good, it’s fun to tell them exactly why.

That’s why we heartily recommend the sunnies from Westward Leaning.

Westward Leaning is a three-year-old, S.F.-based sunglasses label beloved by those in the know, like director Michael Polish and jazz musician Harold Mabern.

Its new Voyager collection is our favorite yet, the name a tribute to the 1977 Voyager space probes.

As they sailed off into the unknown, both of the Voyager spacecrafts carried a copy of the “Golden Record,” a 12-inch copper disk with audio recordings of life on Earth: whalesong, thunder and greetings from Earthlings in 55 languages.

But back to the sunglasses.

The Voyager 1’s slightly rounded frame pays tribute to the Golden Record, as do its gold-mirrored lenses.

Our favorite is Voyager 16, with a tortoise frame, gray lenses and an inlay at the temple of blackened California redwood.

We’re also partial to the Voyager 8 (at top), with its black frame and bronze inlay.

If you prefer a more angular frame, try the mahogany and coral-inlaid Pioneer 14 — the name alludes to our state founders’ pioneering spirit.

Course, they may have a better story by the time you’re through with ’em.

The InsideHook Newsletter.

News, advice and insights for the most interesting person in the room.