Mottle Coddling

With all the earth tones and animal prints in stores this fall, the mottled amber and brown of tortoise shell is a natural accessory.

(Note to squeamish and/or animal-rights types: modern tortoise shell, polished as smooth as sea glass, is made of resins, not the horny back plates of reptiles.)

“Tortoise is coming on very strong as a fashion item, in shades of gold into deep browns,” says Carol Hochman, president of Liz Claiborne Accessories in New York.

“It works beautifully with all of the camels and browns and the rich jewel tones that are hot this season,” she says. “So putting on a tortoise belt or carrying a handbag with a tortoise closure really takes last year’s apparel and makes it part of this year’s fashion message.”

Among Liz Claiborne accessories are a vinyl shoulder bag in luggage, light tan or black with tortoise buckle, $45 to $54, and a narrow faux-leather belt in black or brown with tortoise buckle, $20.

Ralph Lauren’s grouping features earrings, pendants with T-bar closures (including a locket on a long chain), pins and bracelets: six bangles, $75, and a cuff, $125; and a cuff with a sterling buckle, $140.

LaVelle Olexa, fashion director for Lord & Taylor in New York, deems the teaming of tortoise and silver the best new twist on a look that resurfaces every few years.

“In conjunction with a new medium, tortoise is a classic that looks fresh,” she said, adding that she pairs it with clothes in the season’s darker colors, from espresso to chocolate.

Banana Republic’s take on tortoise includes slim bracelets with ornamental clasps or hinges in silver. They put a seasonal spin on the retail chain’s staples of a classic white shirt and khakis.

“Silver’s what makes it fresh and new,” says Chrissy Kern, a Denver-based fashion coordinator. “[The combo] looks great paired with other animal-print accessories. But if you’re not comfortable wearing animal print, the tortoise print is still a great way to get involved with the trend for the season without stepping out too far.”