Tortoise Shell Glasses

Tortoise shell glasses for men & women

There’s so much to love about tortoise shell glasses. Some call it a modern classic, others call it a retro revival. One thing’s for sure – their rich colors and stunning texture looks great on anyone!

Rock tortoise shell in every style

Classic tortoise shell is easy to recognise with its speckled shades of golds, brown and black, which easily pair with any outfit. You can also try an adventurous color variation for a modern twist. Browse our wide collection of eyewear today.

3 pairs of tortoise shell glasses on a rack

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Frames starting from $10

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Our Tortoise Shell Collection

Pick up your own tortoise shell glasses today from Mouqy.

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All About Tortoise Shell Glasses

For a limited time only, get up to 25% OFF our glasses, with free worldwide shipping! Use code FRAMES25.

Tortoise shell glasses are the perfect way to level up your eyewear wardrobe. They’ve been a staple for the fashion-forward throughout the decades, and can be found in a huge range of shapes for both men and women.

We love how this pattern looks in vintage silhouettes like cat-eye or oversized frames. But there are lots of exciting modern variations you can play around with too!

What are tortoise shell glasses made of?

Rest easy – no tortoises were harmed in the making of our frames! They’re named that way because early forms of these glasses (in the 1920s) were made of real shells.

Thankfully, the use of real tortoise shell was banned in the 1970s to prevent the extinction of animals such as the hawksbill sea turtle.

These days, tortoise shell frames are made from alternate materials like acetate and manufactured in a way that mimics the look of real shell. The process typically involves making plastic sheets of several different colors, dicing them up, and blending them together to create the distinctive mottled or flecked effect. The cool thing? No two tortoise shell glasses are exactly the same!

How to wear tortoise shell glasses

Because tortoise shell glasses allow for a range of different colors on one frame, they can catch the light beautifully and are one of the most fun to pair with different outfits. They add personality without being over-the-top loud.

The classic dark tortoise shell pattern comes in deep browns, golds and blacks which are a great option if you prefer darker-frame glasses but find solid black frames too harsh. You can also wear this distinctive pattern in unconventional colors such as pink, white and pastel shades.

They look polished and professional and are perfect for work or formal occasions – but also work great as a casual everyday staple.

Are tortoise shell eyeglasses right for me?

These classic frames can be found in every shape variation – from round and oval, to square and rectangular frames and much more.

If you’re having trouble picking, check out our guide on how to match your frames to your face shape!

Shopping for eyewear at Mouqy

At Mouqy, we sell a wide variety of gorgeous glasses in this design. You’ll be able to buy them in several forms:

Prescription glasses
Non-prescription glasses
Sunglasses

Buying prescription glasses online from Mouqy is super simple – you’ll just need your eyewear prescription. Here’s our full guide on buying eyeglasses online.

And if you’re curious about how the glasses will look on you, try our Virtual Try-On Tool for a preview!

Frequently asked questions

Are tortoise shell glasses frames flattering?

Tortoise shell glasses are very flattering on almost anyone and can be a great alternative to solid-color frames. They come in a huge variety of frame shapes, which means that you can easily find them in a style and cut that best flatters your face shape and skin tone.

Why are they called tortoise shell glasses?

Tortoise shell glasses are named after the original 1920s versions of the colorful pattern, when glasses were made out of real tortoise shells. These days, most manufacturers will use a mixture of different colored acetates to mimic the same mottled effect.

Are tortoise shell glasses in style?

Absolutely! Tortoise shell glasses are versatile enough to be worn in any outfit, but also give off an air of sophistication that has lasted the ages. You’ll find them gracing the runway, as well as on famous faces such as Zoey Deschanel and Karly Kloss.

What color is tortoise shell glasses?

Classic tortoise shell glasses come in shades of brown and gold, but can vary hugely. You can also find them in earthy tones, in higher and lower contrast shades, or in unusual modern colors such as pink and white.

Can men wear tortoise shell glasses?

You bet! Men look fantastic in tortoise shell glasses, and we’ve seen male celebrities such as Johnny Depp and Ryan Gosling rock them hard. You simply need to choose a frame shape and color variation that suits you.

Should I get black or tortoise shell glasses?

Black glasses look great if you’re after a more minimalist style. Tortoise shell glasses are versatile enough to be worn in all kinds of outfits, and can be more fun to style because they let you incorporate more colors into the frames.