Where do round tortoiseshell glasses come from? It's rightly named: turtle shell patterns (though thankfully, they haven't been made of real turtle shells for quite some time).
Archaeological findings suggest that round tortoiseshell glasses may have made their first appearance as early as the Middle Ages. They were also favored throughout the Renaissance and the 19th century. As eyewear peaked in the 1920s, tortoise-shell glasses became a must-have for both men and women.
For the rest of the 20th century, round tortoiseshell glasses were a staple of movie stars and fashion ICONS, especially in the 1950s and 1980s. They've been classics ever since. Fun fact: Due to the irregular nature of the pattern, no two shell frames are the same. The front and back of most shoes look different.
The "classic" shell color (sometimes called "Havana") is a mottled mix of orange and black or dark brown. A high-contrast version with yellow highlights is also available. You can also find women's and men's tortoiseshells in a variety of colors, with shades such as gray, blue, pink, or green replacing the traditional yellow/orange.
Tortoiseshell varies in surface treatment (matte versus gloss), pattern size, frame style, frame shape, and frame size, making it a versatile look. Of course, there are round tortoiseshell glasses: dark gray or brown lenses are classic, but green or yellow lenses can create a serious retro vibe.
Turtle shells have been popular for a long time, but there is still a lot to choose from in this trend. Here are some sunglasses you can rock right now (don't forget, you can make yourself some round tortoiseshell glasses with these frames.) If you need help narrowing down your wish list, start by finding one that suits your face shape.