WESTWARD \\ LEANING

For every pair of sunglasses we sell, we donate $10 to education programs related to the specific achievements our sunglasses celebrate (all our sunglasses are dedicated to a particular social cause). Past visionaries were responsible for the achievements our sunglasses celebrate, and we're proud to support the future visionaries working to make the future so bright, you'll have to wear shades. Information on specific charities is available on the Future Visionaries page.

We have one size. Yes, one size. We'll probably introduce additional sizes in the future, but our existing frame really does fit just about anyone. Check out or Lookbook--made from photos of our customers-- to see just how versatile and universally-flattering this one size can be. The exact measurements are 53-20-137mm (for you sunglasses buffs out there), and in terms of fit it's pretty similar to a Ray-Ban Wayfarer or Oakley Frogskin.

We use CR39 plastic lenses-- the best plastic lenses in the world. Some people think glass offers better optics, but it scratches, chips, and shatters too easily (and we want you to be safe!). As for polarization, don't believe the hype-- unless you're a windsurfer, you don't really need it. Plus, you can't read an iPhone or iPad through polarized lenses. So while our lenses do provide 100% UVA/UVB protection, they're purposefully not polarized (we're from San Francisco... we'd never sell sunglasses that didn't work with an iPhone).

All our sunglasses feature a unique material-- like wood, antler or brass-- on the side of the frame. Each material relates to a specific social cause or progressive issue, and together with each model's name and charitable component, tells a story about a particular human achievement. We source all the unique materials ourselves, and a variety of craftspeople and artisans in San Francisco work to cut, weave, sew and saw the pieces to fit our frames. And the final inlay is done by our own craftspeople in our offices.

We only have one frame shape, and only one frame size. We're like the Model-T of sunglasses. So, as you might expect, we spent a long time designing what we believe to be the most universally-flattering, unisex, all-purpose, look-good, feel-good, ultra-sturdy sunglasses frame in the world. We took elements from all our favorite sunglasses, and put them together to create one frame to rule them all. We hope you like them as much as we do.

Our frames are made from the finest Mazuchelli acetate. We use 8mm thick acetate sheets (most glasses are made from 4-6mm sheets), so the glasses feel especially substantial and weighty, with real structural integrity. The frames are all hand-made in Japan, and we then integrate all the unique materials on the temple locally, in our own offices in San Francisco. We offer our frames in two finishes: traditional (shiny) and matte.