How to Incorporate More Tortoiseshell Into Your Outfits

Tortoiseshell used to come from the actual animal’s shell, but this has been banned since the Seventies. Nowadays, you’re most likely to find synthetic substitutes made of plastic. It is a popular trend right now, but is the kind of thing which will always be in style – which is particularly good considering so many products are made from non-biodegradable substances, so won’t be worn a few times and thrown away.

SEE ALSO: A Definitive(ish) Ranking of All the Animal Prints

If you want to level up from the bog-standard (but still cute) tortoiseshell sunglasses, here’s how you can figure more of it into your wardrobe this summer…

Even though it’s made up of various shades of brown, there’s something quite summery about tortoiseshell. Maybe it’s the way it manages to catch the light, which is probably why you can increasingly see it as buttons on summer dresses or belt buckles on playsuits.

If tortoiseshell on your clothes feels a bit, well, permanent, you can dip your toes into the water with statement earrings. With tortoiseshell jewellery, the bigger the better – and you can experiment with abstract shapes, regular hoops, or mixing with other materials like pearls.

Small, structured bags are having a moment, so what could be better than a geometric box made out of tortoiseshell? It’s the perfect mini statement bag – which unlike so many others will match most of your outfits.

This isn’t a low-key trend – more is more – and to be in fashion you need to pile as many clips into your hair at once. Tortoiseshell clips and barrettes fit in perfectly next to plain metal, bejewelled and pearl slides.

But unlike another recent Instagram nail trend, cow print, this one actually looks quite tricky to replicate yourself at home – probably best to leave it up to the professionals.