One fact about tortoise shell glasses will keep you up at night: they used to be created out of real tortoise shells. That’s right. The tortoise-shell pattern found in retro glasses and vintage jewelry or ornaments were made out of the shell of real hawksbill turtles.

If you want to go with a more subtle look that’s not full-on tortoise shell, try a semi-rimless, browline type of frames, like the Vint & York Astor (pictured above). The tortoise browline will complement your skin tone and eyes without letting the tortoise shell pattern dominate. These frames are perfect for first-time tortoise shell wearers who want to sample the style before they dive in with a more dramatic pair. What Celebrities wear tortoise shell frames? Authentic tortoise shell eyewear is actually specific to the vintage 50’s style, but the unethical animal-made versions first appeared on the eyewear market in the early 20’s. The tortoise shell glasses craze really took off in the ‘50s, thanks to the world-famous Ray Ban aviators. The practice of using real turtles for making accessories was banned in 1970. What are modern Tortoise-Shell glasses made of? And if you really want confirmation that tortoise shell is trending with men, just take a look at what the celebrities are wearing . Famous men over the years have worn and continue to wear tortoise shell frames in different styles. Hollywood sweetheart Ryan Gosling has become a kind of icon of tortoise shell specs. He’s been seen sporting them so many times that they’ve actually become his signature look.Tortoise shell frames aren’t one-size fits all. Just like with any pair of glasses, you’ve got to think about your skin tone and the frames’ colors.