SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

Tortoiseshell Frames - The Everlasting Trend

Roses are red, violets are blue, my glasses are tortoise, how about you?

If you wear glasses, there’s a very high chance that you’ve owned a tortoise pair at one point. Tortoiseshell frames have been one of the most enduring eyewear trends for decades.

But what makes tortoiseshell frames such an enduring and popular trend?

Fashion experts say its popularity stems from the fact that it suits pretty much everyone and anyone. Their warm brown and amber colours will brighten darker skin tones and add a touch of light to the eyes. Tortoise is also a great softer option for fair skin types where black frames can prove to be a little too harsh. Plus, it’s a style that flatters both women and men, with an independent and original personality.

tortoiseshell eyeglasses

tortoiseshell eyewear

Why are they named Tortoise frames?

Simple answer: because they mimic the appearance of real turtles and have a dotted look.

Here’s a fact that might keep you up at night - originally (not too long ago, in the 1920s) they were made of real hawksbill turtle shells! Nowadays, tortoise frames are mostly made of acetate.

Tortoise frames have been a fashion must-have for the past century and it continues nowadays, whether for eyeglasses or sunglasses. But the trend has evolved from its original colours. You will now find Tortoise in different shades of blue, red, green, grey, and the ever-so-popular Tokyo Tortoise.

If you’re currently looking for glasses or sunglasses and are hoping for a long-lasting style, then tortoiseshell frames are the way to go!

Come to your nearest IRIS store to find your pair of tortoise glasses!

Tortoiseshell sunglasses