How to Wear Vintage Dress Clips

If you’ve ever seen shiny clip-on accessories in a vintage or thrift store that are a bit larger than earrings and wondered what they are, they’re probably dress clips.


Made usually with rhinestones, beads or from carved celluloid

or bakelite (early plastic), dress clips became popular in the 1930s and 1940s when women were rationing materials for the war effort and didn’t have large wardrobes. Dress clips were a way to dress up an outfit and make it look a little different to transition from day to evening wear or change the look of day-to-day wear. Dress clips aren’t just for dresses but anywhere they will clip onto your outfit to add a bit of flair!


These accessories usually come in pairs and have a large clip on the back with prongs to hold onto the material (never try to wear them as earrings, ouch!) When searching for vintage dress clips online, be aware they are sometimes labeled as “scarf clips.” Sellers occasionally also list clip-on earrings in there, which you can wear as dress clips, but they don’t have the pronged backs, so they may not have the same grip as a dress clip. Fur clips are also sometimes marked as dress clips. These are usually larger in size and have bigger, sharper prongs on the clips that were meant to grip onto thick fur coats and stoles. These could damage more delicate fabrics, so be careful if you end up with those.


Thinking of adding vintage dress clips to your wardrobe? Get shopping:


Rhinestone dress clips

Flower dress clips

Colorful dress clips

Bakelite dress clips


Here’s how to wear vintage dress clips

Dress Clips On A Dress

Dress clips were originally intended to clip onto the collar of a dress.  Sweetheart necklines were popular in the ‘30s and dress clips went perfectly in each corner. They can also be worn on a crewneck or v-neck, especially if you only have one and not a pair.

Dress Clips On A Sweater

In the same way dress clips were designed to jazz up wearing the same outfit repeatedly, they can also jazz up sweaters in the winter. I don’t know about you, but I wear a lot of crewneck sweaters when it’s cold and it can feel like a bit of a rut. Dress clips are a way to make it look a little different and frame your face in a flattering way.

Dress Clips On A Hat

Hats are a fun accessory on their own, and dress clips can add even more personality, especially in the winter when you wear a lot of beanies and beret-style hats. A dress clip can add a little fun and sparkle to stand out in a crowd all wearing the same outerwear!

Dress Clips On A Purse

A purse is something we ladies carry every day, and sometimes, it’s the same one. A dress clip can make it feel a little more special, especially for evening wear. If your purse has outside pockets or flaps that are made of a light material (not leather or with zippers) then a dress clip can easily attach. I put mine on a vintage purse with flaps. Just make sure they are secure with the prongs firmly in the material so they don’t go flying off when you move your bag around.


Now that you have some ideas for how to wear vintage dress clips, will you try them?


See more of my looks in the   Stiletto City blog and my   Instagram page.

 

Items shown here are from my personal collection. Links are not sponsored or affiliated.

The author may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.

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