Why Is Everyone Obsessed With Tortoise Shell?

Art by Maddison Hoyt

The fashion industry has had a soft spot for animal prints and textiles for ages as a timeless yet controversial staple trend. Over the years, tortoise shell has become a chic and versatile fan favourite and a symbol of luxury. From Caroline Besette Kennedy’s iconic tortoise shell headband to Miu Miu’s tortoise shell oval glasses, this pattern has proven to never go out of style.

The concept of using tortoise shells as accessories and jewellery dates back to Ancient Greece, where shells were largely associated with wealth and status. Romans took notice of this practice and included tortoises in decor ranging from sofas to day beds. Tortoise Shell glasses date back to the thirteenth century. During this time, they were a status symbol due to how rare tortoise shell was. However, tortoise shell glasses entered mainstream popularity in the 1920’s when eyewear designer Philip Oliver Goldsmith changed the eyewear industry forever by creating the first pair of plastic frames. It’s also worth noting that the 1980’s saw the creation of three different tortoise shell textures: Havana, Tokyo and Coloured.

The main differences in these textures were across the patterns’ colours. Havana features a blend of orange and black, where Tokyo combines small hints of yellow, black, and brown. Tortoise has the original pattern, but utilizes lighter hues. Miu Miu’s now-adored oval glasses made their debut in the Fall-Winter 2023 show. One can’t help but wonder, what made them so well-loved? Their feminine yet practical shape alone made them versatile and flattering, but it’s their tortoise shell print that made them a staple item for so many.

There’s a reason why everyone keeps turning back to this beloved animal print. To put it simply, people are drawn to the colours and texture of the print. The autumnal warm browns and flecks of rich auburn shades are versatile and reminiscent of nature. Its history, rarity, and pleasing composition have also made it a longstanding symbol of luxury fashion, allowing it to elevate any outfit.

Recently, another animal print has been on the rise. Deer print has been fluctuating in and out of the fashion scene, and seems to be gaining popularity once again. As noted by Pinterest Trends, there has been an increase in searches for deer print over the past several months. The recent spike in popularity makes sense, given that Pinterest listed “forest core” as one of 2026’s trending aesthetic predictions.

Photography via Pinterest Trends.

Earlier examples of deer print on the runway can be found in collections like Carven Fall/Winter 2013 and Burberry Spring/Summer 2019. More recently, Tory Burch showcased a deer print jacket in its Fall/Winter 2025 show, while Brandon Maxwell’s Fall/Winter collection included a deer print jumpsuit.

These two looks are an elevated take on past examples of deer print on the runway. In the past few years, it has become a popular print amongst celebrities like Sofia Richie Grange and Katie Holmes. So much so that ASOS and Puma launched a limited-edition deer print Speedcat and Speedcat Ballet Flat. Between their warm brown and golden Earth tones, it’s no surprise these two forest animal prints have taken over the 2026 fashion scene so far.

Though it may seem autumnal, tortoise shell has a deep-rooted history of timelessness in the fashion industry, and deer print seems to be following right in its footsteps.