How to Wear Dress Clips with a Modern Wardrobe
In the world of vintage fashion accessories, there are treasures that evoke a sense of timeless elegance and nostalgia. Vintage dress clips, sweater clips, and fur clips are among these enchanting adornments that harken back to an era of glamour and sophistication. Each possessing its own unique charm and purpose, these clips played a significant role in enhancing the style and functionality of women's attire during the mid-20th century.
Let’s delve into the captivating world of vintage clips.
What are dress clips?
Vintage dress clips are decorative accessories that were popular in the early to mid-20th century. They were primarily used to adorn women's clothing, particularly dresses, and added a touch of elegance and charm to the wearer's ensemble.
Ciro dress clips with silver frame
Dress clips were typically made of metal, rhinestones, pearls, enamel, or a combination of these. They often featured intricate designs, including floral motifs, geometric patterns, or figurative shapes like bows or animals. The clips typically came as a pair, often with both sitting on a frame which allowed them to be worn together as a brooch or separated and worn as individual clips.
Dress clips gradually fell out of favour as brooches made a resurgence in the 1950s however vintage dress clips are now highly sought after by collectors and those who appreciate retro fashion. They embody the glamour and sophistication of a bygone era and allow one to add a touch of timeless elegance to modern outfits.
5 ways to wear dress clips with your modern wardrobe
- Clip onto both shirt cuffs, blazer lapels or jacket pockets.
- Clip them to the tops of your boots.
- Use one or both to decorate your hair by attaching it to a hairband or pin.
- Clip one onto a handbag for extra sparkle.
- Hang one on a chain and wear it as a pendant.
Are Sweater Clips the same as Dress Clips?
Sweater clips are similar to dress clips in function but differ in design and purpose. While dress clips were primarily used to adorn dresses and other garments, sweater clips were specifically created for sweaters and cardigans.
Sweater clips, also known as sweater guards, were popular in the 50s and 60s and served both functional and decorative purposes. They were designed to hold the front panels of a cardigan or sweater together, preventing them from shifting or opening while adding a stylish touch. Sweater clips looked like two dress clips but were connected with a bar or chain.
Unlike dress clips, which were versatile and could be used on various garments, sweater clips were specifically intended for sweaters. They were a practical accessory to keep the cardigan or sweater closed and provided an opportunity for personal style expression.
What is a fur clip?
Eisenberg Original fur clips
A fur clip, also known as a fur brooch or fur pin, is a decorative accessory specifically designed to be worn with fur garments. It is typically larger in size than a regular brooch and is specifically crafted to attach securely to fur.
Fur clips were particularly popular during the mid-20th century when fur coats and stoles were fashionable and commonly worn. Functionally, they helped to hold the fur garment together, preventing it from slipping off the shoulders or opening up. Two types of hinged fasteners were employed, double-pronged and clamshell style with teeth.
While fur clips are less commonly used today due to changing fashion trends and increased awareness about animal rights, vintage fur clips are top of many collectors’ lists. Large clips by vintage designers like Eisenberg or Trifari command very high prices.