Cause A Frockus

Six fun ways to wear a dress clip

Dec 13, 2013 | by Becky Oeltjenbruns

Dress clips are closely related to a clip-on earring or a shoe clip in form; their hinges may have prongs along the edges to help keep the jewelry in place. Dress clips used to be a very popular fashion adornment, but fell out of favor as the 1950s ushered in more stream-lined designs. These small items are extremely versatile. Let us show you six intriguing ways to transform your look with this mighty accessory.

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Austin Antique Mall
8822 McCann Drive
Austin, Texas 78757
512.459.5900

The bakelite beauty we show in our examples was purchased at the Austin Antique Mall. This is a magical place where you can find all manner of vintage goodies. Even though the huge space feels overwhelming, everyone there is an expert at guiding you to the right booth so you can get in and out quickly. (Although trust us, you’re going to want to stroll through every nook!)

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Look 1

Dress clip as a collar accent

Wearing your dress clip at the square of the neckline or collar is the traditional placement. But as the lovely Dolores Del Rio shows us in “I Live for Love”, adding a sparkly clip close to your face makes you glow, elevating your look from traditional to dazzling. Next time you need a boost, let your clip take you from the office to the after party!

Look 2

Dress clip as a pendant necklace

If you are having a Marianne from Sense and Sensibility kind of day, slip it over a chain to transform it into a necklace. We paired our piece with a subtle gold chain that accents our decolletage while showing off the clip’s form. Have fun with it; play with the proportions, length, and materiality.

Look 3

Pocket accent

If you’re feeling funky, clip into onto a pocket or in your sleeve for an unexpected pop of color and detail! We love the look of the olive against the navy blazer. The clip’s simplicity goes hand in hand with this structured jacket. In contrast, a more delicate clip lends a nice surprise to an under-stated ensemble. Either way you wear it, it’s bound to be a conversation starter at your next outing.

Look 4

Ornamental pin

Want to add some elegance to your daily routine? Make your dress clip a brooch by threading a safety pin through the hinge and attaching it to your favorite top or dress.

Look 5

Scarf clip

This is the perfect application for winter. As the cool weather sets in and scarves become your go-to accent, add an extra layer of detail and splendor with your dress clip. You can either work within the color family as we have or use the clip as an excuse to be surprising. If the cold wind gets you down, let the sparkle bring you some needed cheer!

Look 6

Hat highlight

Attaching the clip to our hat makes us feel like we’re channeling the amazing Katharine Hepburn. Her strength, power, and independence is an inspiration to us all. Wearing a stylish hat is a confident statement and adding a clip makes you stand out.

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Cause A Frockus would like to thank our tremendous resources: Wikipedia, Austin Antique Mall, TCM, and the lovely people who put their images up without restriction on Wikipedia.

For our readers: How do you wear your dress clip? Share your fashion tips with us in the comments!

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