Updated: April 2, 2026
Classically, tortoise color has a base shade of brown with mottled flecks spread throughout in hues of yellow or amber. Today, “tortoise color” refers more to the speckled tortoiseshell pattern than the color—it may stray from these classic colors to include any colors, really!
But what does tortoise color look like when it comes to glasses frames, and where did its pattern originate? Read on if you’d like to take a closer look with us at this classic colorway.
As a color, “tortoise” stems from its original material, which, sadly, was the actual shells of tortoises and turtles. Tortoise shell had been used since ancient times around the world to craft a broad range of items—from veneers for furniture to intricate pieces of jewelry.
Thankfully, this is no longer in practice (the use of tortoise shell was banned in the 1970s). But there’s no denying that the pattern of a tortoise shell is an example of nature at its finest—a striking design in neutral tones that’s still well-loved for accessories today.
These days, a tortoiseshell pattern can be easily replicated with materials such as acetate so that we can achieve the look without harming these beloved creatures. (Thank goodness for that!)
A tortoiseshell pattern will typically have a base color with flakes of color randomly strewn throughout. While tortoise colors often emulate those of traditional tortoise shells with browns, yellows, and ambers, this colorway has evolved over the years to incorporate all sorts of hues. Tortoise colors that incorporate blues and white (and even pinks) are becoming fast favorites.
Yes, always! The tortoiseshell pattern has been favored for ages and is still a top pick today. There’s no seasonality behind tortoise colors, so you can rock them year-round. Plus, with such a wide range of patterns and colors available, anyone can find a tortoise option that suits their style.
Tortoise shell was a popular material for glasses for more than a century. But today, our glasses are made from acetate. You can find all sorts of different styles of frames in a tortoiseshell color. Check out some of our top tortoise color frames below.
Tortoise pattern sunglasses have also stood the test of time and can be found in a variety of styles. Here are just a few of our many favorites.
…Nor in the creation of our tortoise color frames. Maybe you’ve been eyeing tortoise colors for your next pair of glasses but aren’t used to rocking patterns on your frames. Well, we hope this deeper look at a timeless colorway will bring you out of your shell. 😉
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