Clips for holding a scarf in place

Clips for holding a scarf in place - "Scarf Clips"

There has been a revival of using clips for holding a scarf in place. We have plenty and more to add as we go along. Popular from the 1950s and reaching a peak in the 1980s, scarf clips are just irresistible to wear. Plenty of different styles and eras to choose from.

Above is an Eloxal modernist vintage scarf clip circa 1970s.

Flower vintage scarf clip with a pearl bead centre.

Cameo vintage scarf clip in red and white.

Scarf clips 1960s fashion brochure from Style A Scarf

I do love collecting old brochures and adverts for vintage jewellery. This one is for scarf clips and I estimate its from the 1960s or early 1970s. Called "Style A Scarf" and produced by Bernard Shaffer Ltd, England. This 8-panel brochure shows how to use a scarf clip and also some of the styles from the sixties.

Love the eyeliner on this lady with the scarf and clip creating a classical bow look.

Three styles for using a scarf clip and scarf continues on the inside page. A cowl neck style that uses a scarf clip with a bar brooch as well. The Ascot Bow ha just an ornate clip with a long scarf that tightens to form a big bow at the front. Now the last how-to is a fabulous turban look. So very sixty hippy chick!

The middle section covers four panels. It shows how to have a beach or summer house look. A great way to keep your hair in place on holiday. Bow Babushka with a square scarf. Western with the scarf fastened to one side. Gipsy creating a hat from a scarf that would be ideal for the beach. Butterfly Bow and Cravat for different looks around the neck.

   
This panel shows a further way on how to fold a scarf called the Smoke Ring (circular scarf) and how to use a scarf clip with a bar brooch. There are 7 different vintage scarf clips with antique and modern 1960s fashion styles. This is ideal for dating vintage jewellery.

Last back panels that explain about the British brand Style-a-scarf and gives two more ideas about using a clip as a pendant and a bracelet.

Last page has another 8 different ways, so who said vintage scarf clips were limited in use?  

Dress Clips and Scarf Clips

I really like dress clips. they came into fashion around the 1920s up to about the 1950s when their popularity waned and changed to scarf clips.

The Art Deco clips in the 1920s are easy to find with their typical look.

Thirties clips are filigree with often beautiful colourful bohemia rhinestones. Imported from Czechoslovakia and other Bohemian countries.

Ideal for clipping to square or sweat heart necklines. Dress clips were often sold in pairs. But one can brighten up a round or lower/plunging neckline. Now most are found as one clip, fun to collect and see if you can find a partner or use on its own

This is the back of a dress clip, not to be confused with a fur clip that has two prongs.

When the fashion changed into scarf clips in the sixties and more so in the seventies, manufacturers used part of the dress clip plate (no waste then!) and added the circular clip. Which makes dating a bit easier for the scarf clips.

The scarf clip on the right in gold tone is an early clip 1960s/1970s as it has the part dress clip mechanism.
The one on the left is later at 1970s/1980s with a "made for" scarf clip mechanism.

 
Underrated vintage jewellery that can still be used today. Dress clips can be used on a hair band or as a necklace (see other blog post) Scarves are back in this year and there are so many ways to tie a scarf. If you can find it, there is a great book, now out of print called Living With Scarves by Lorraine Hammett.

Using Dress Clips and Scarf Clips as necklaces

The idea of using dress clips and scarf clips was one of the subjects discussed a few months ago on the Jewelry Ring. A few members used their dress clips as necklaces with a thick chain.

So when the question came up on how to use sweater guards or sweater clips (collar clips) on Queens of Vintage I first answered as for dress clips, but on realizing that the question meant sweater clips. Another use could still be as a necklace

Hunting through the boxes full of vintage jewellery for sweater clips I could only find a pair of Victorian Chatelaines, not clips. But the principle would be the same for dress clips as would sweater and scarf clips

Experiment with the thickness of chain necklaces and other materials such as mock pearl bead necklaces and chokers. Some clips will sit well but others will not.

This is a pair of Victorian Scottish dancers double brooches joined by a chain known as a chatelaine brooch. Sweater clips have alligator clips that are similar to the clips on men's tie bars or tie clips.


Here is an assortment of clips dress and scarf clips that I have to experiment with.



First I tried a square link necklace but the only clip that fitted fairly well was the dress clip, the others were too loose. I would suggest that sweater clips would sit well on this type of chain necklace

Next tried a chunky silver metal chain. This time the dress clip did not fit as the chain was too bulky, but the scarf clips were well suited as the chunkiness held the clip quite secure


Looking through necklaces and chokers that would be suitable, I came across this mock pearl bead work choker


Again the 1930s scarf clips were too bulky but the dress clip sat firm and looked quite unique. A similar bead work necklace would be ideal for sweater clips also.

Finally took some thick long chains and tried fitting the clips.


Both dress and scarf clips fitted very well. However sweater clips would slip along the chain unless they were small enough to fit side by side









Have fun with fitting clips to chains and experimenting. Would love to see how others get on