All of the Reasons We're Totally into Tortoiseshell and We're Not Just Talking About Accessories

Animal prints are once again all the rage. Although they never really completely vanish from the scene. Lately, leopard is leading the pack with all kinds of creative spins on the fierce staple. Snakeskin is also back in the spotlight since 2025 is the Year of the Snake. Plus, plenty are predicting cow prints will start popping up again. There's one pattern that's often ignored despite it being one of the most common. That's because tortoiseshell is usually relegated to glasses, sunglasses and jewelry.

The pattern comes from the yellow and brown shell of the hawksbill turtle. It's most commonly found in accessory form, but you can also find clothing and shoes boasting the colorful combination. See TOTEME's chenille top, Theory's shift dress and Loewe's silk shirt. French fashion house Courrèges is all in via its tube skirt, a high-neck bodysuit along with a mock-neck sheer top. On the footwear front, the pattern finds its way on to everything from slingbacks to PVC pumps and even a cap-toe pair.

Naturally, we have to include a few optical and ornamental picks. Bottega Veneta's aviators are made to make a significant statement. Loewe has a square set if aviators aren't your thing. While & Other Stories supplies oval eyeglass frames. Moving on to jewelry, you have your choice of bracelets or earrings. There are also several pieces of hair jewelry courtesy of Chloe, Prada and Machete.

Here are the most stylish tortoiseshell pieces that deserve a permanent spot in your wardrobe.

TOTEME Tortoiseshell-Effect Chenille Top, $750 at Farfetch

Prada Plexiglas Belt, $1,550 at Prada

Zara Faux Tortoiseshell Slingbacks, $49.90 at Zara

Saint Laurent Tortoiseshell Smoky Cuff in Resin, $1,090 at Saks

Machete Wide Headband, $60 at Machete

Courrèges Tortoiseshell Tube Skirt Havana Brown, $208 at The Webster

Bottega Veneta Drop Aviator Sunglasses, $690 at Mytheresa

Montce Kim One-Piece Swimsuit in Ivory, $218 at Anthropologie

Rabanne 1969 Shoulder Bag, $686 at Farfetch

Chloe Tortoiseshell Marcie Hair Clip, $450 at SSENSE

Roger Vivier Belle Vivier Tortoiseshell PVC Slingback Pumps, $950 at Moda Operandi

Theory Tortoiseshell Shift Dress, $309 at Farfetch

Shashi Tortoise Brick Earrings, $96 at Shopbop

Loewe Short Sleeve Silk Top Tortoiseshell, $640 at The Webster

Prada Plexiglas Hair Clip in Beige Khaki, $495 at Saks

Clare V. Shortie Strap in Tortoise Resin, $85 at Clare V.

Courrèges Tortoise High Neck Bodysuit, $407 at Farfetch

& Other Stories Oval-Frame Glasses in Brown/Clear, $32 at & Other Stories

J.Crew Made-in-Italy Colette Cap-Toe Pumps in Tortoise-Print Leather in Classic Tort, $179.99 at J.Crew

Miu Miu Plexiglas Earrings, $495 at Miu Miu

Courrèges Tortoise Mock Neck Sheer Top Havana Brown, $660 at The Webster

Loewe 41MM Square Sunglasses in Dark Havana, $252 at Saks

Rabanne XL Link Bracelet, $265 at Farfetch

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