Tortoise Sunglasses

Tortoise Shell Sunglasses With Extra Spirit

Is there any accessory quite as classic yet contemporary as a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses? The timeless brown and black pattern gets its name because it resembles the pattern from the shells of large tortoises—don’t worry, no animals were harmed in the making of these stylish shades—and has been a staple of high fashion since ancient times. Whether paired with a luxurious faux fur jacket or a T-shirt and jeans, a tortoise shell truly goes with anything. What’s more, its black and brown hues make it easy to style.

Classic Colorways for Any Wearer: Here at Optical4U, we pride ourselves on designing unique, all-around good-looking sunglasses that don’t break the bank. Part of that commitment is choosing colorways that complement and stand out. We’ve paired our tortoiseshell frames with an assortment of handsome, sophisticated, and upbeat lens colors to help you find a pair that perfectly matches your style, mood, and general personality. Keep it classic with tortoiseshell frames and amber lenses—something about gold and brown just plain works—or keep it fun with blue tortoiseshell frames and aqua lenses.

We know that the tortoise shell is one of the most beloved patterns for sunglasses collectors, so we’ve put this classic design on frames from several Optical4U collections. You’ll find tortoise shell glasses in different frame and lens combinations, with a pair that’s perfect for your next beach day or getaway. Because they’re made with high-quality, lasting materials and don’t cost as much as typical designer sunglasses, our tortoise shell shades are also a no-brainer for everyday wear.

A brief history of tortoise shell sunglasses

Tortoise Shell Sunglasses are a fashion statement that is nearly 100 years old. That puts these speckled sunnies right up there with band-aids, the jungle gym, and Baby Ruth candy bars. Eye-popping, right?

Specifically, this vintage look has been making the rounds since the 1920s, when they burst on the scene along with flappers, lipstick, and jazz music. If you’re wondering about their origins, when they were first introduced they were made with real tortoise shells—hence the pattern, and the name.

It wasn’t long before environmentalists caught wind of this and by the 1970s using real tortoise shells for glasses and sunglasses was banned. In its place, manufacturers began to experiment with custom acetate that mimics the looks of true tortoiseshell.

With nature as inspiration and a much sturdier material to mould, tortoise shell sunglasses continued their rise to fame and glory.

Tortoise shell sunglasses

From an infamous, saucy past to the present day, tortoise shell sunglasses have been roaring since the 20s, straight into 2020 and beyond.

Defined by their mottled appearance, with flecks of warm, honey-colored tones, today's tortoise shell sunglasses come in a variety of colors and styles. With patterns as unique as the snowflakes under your skis, tortoise shell sunglasses are as classic as Bob Beattie and as counterculture as Johnny Depp.

Just getting acquainted with tortoise shell? Check out our vintage-inspired, bestselling frames, which look great on men and women and come in no fewer than four different lens colors: ocean, aqua, emerald, and amber.

Polarized tortoise shell sunglasses

If you’re heading out into the snow, hitting some waves, or just hanging at the beach, you’ll want to make sure that your sunglasses are polarized. Why? Polarized lenses block glare from the light reflecting off the water or snow, protecting your eyes and making it easier to see clearly.

Future you will be thankful when those squint lines don’t appear right above your smile lines. No reason to stop smiling—but reason enough to stop squinting!