Long legs, buxom busoms, and of course dress clips, good things come in pairs! They are a girls best friend. I love 'em! I consider them more collectible and wearable than brooches... you can clip these little deco dazzlers just about anywhere!
Clip over a chain for a unique art deco pendant...
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Art Deco Dress Clip suspended on a chain by STLVintage |
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Darling 1930s dress clip by FreshyFig on Etsy (shown attached to chain for a stylish necklace!) |
Dress clips were tremendously popular accessories in the 1920s through the 50's, and were artfully crafted by some of the top names associated with collecting costume jewelry. Eisenberg, Polcini, Haskell, Staret, Trifari, Coro to name just a few.
There are key differences between dress clips, fur clips and shoe clips, though many sellers use the terms interchangeably:
- Dress clips utilize a hinged mechanism with a flat metal piece equipped with a few tiny teeth or claws for grasping material.
- Fur clips utilize a hinged mechanism with two long sharp prongs for poking through heavy materials and furs.
- Shoe clips have a similar hinged mechanism, or a more bendable metal (and no hinge) but the metal clip is much shorter and typically much wider with a couple sharp teeth.
So be sure to look at the back of the piece to determine what you are looking for, whether it be a dress clip or pair of dress clips, fur clips or a rockin' pair of shoe clips.
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Back of Fur Clip showing two pronged clasp by SecondhandBijoux |
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Ornate and just amazingly beautiful dress clip by plasticouture on Etsy |
Dress clips can be purchased for a few dollars up to a few hundred dollars or more, so you are sure to find a stunning single or pair of clips whatever your budget. Here is a tiny selection of the fabulous examples of dress clips available on Etsy, and the scintillating new ways you can wear these gorgeous antique clips!
Clip to a blouse for a darling adornment...
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Fantastic and Rare Theodor Fahrner Clip by Butterflysue on Etsy |
Clip to your favorite pair of boots or pumps...
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1930s clip on my fave boots |
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Pair of Deco dress clips clips to my favorite pair of vintage houndstooth pumps |
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I really want these... Retro 1930s-40s clips by NiceAssets on Etsy |
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These are exquisite.. priced just right (in other words, if you don't buy them, I probably will) Moonglow 1930s dress clips by AntiqueAli on Etsy |
Clip to a purse, evening bag, hat or beret... even the pocket of your favorite worn in jeans!
Clips strass dans la boudoir...
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Deco dress clip attached to top of stocking |
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Pair of deco dress clips attached to stockings
Sure to get your special someone's heart racing... |
Get creative, and there's no telling what fun and flirty places you can find to attach a dress clip! A slinky nightie or negligee, a slip or wedding garter.
Additional uses for dress clips:
- attach to headband
- use to attach a shawl or wrap for an evening out
- clip to a prom dress
- clip to a wedding gown
- clip to knee socks
- attach to sweater dress
- clip to the rim of a beret or winter beanie
- scarf
- I'm guilty of clipping to my driver's side visor mirror in my car to hold my insurance card and license (don't recommend as this could weaken the clip mechanism).
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vintage jewelry fit for the stars.
Great article! Love how you showed the clips in action...now THAT's how it's done!
ReplyDeleteI love dress clips and showing the many ways to wear them will hopefully inspire people to take a look at these often overlooked beauties.
ReplyDeleteFabulous collection, and excellent examples on the infinite ways in which these beauties may be worn. The possibilities make the dress clip one of the most versatile piece of jewelry ever made.
ReplyDeleteSuper collection I am really thrilled to be part of it with my TF dress clip.Many thanks for the inclusion-I really appreciate it. Also great to see your suggestions for wearing them and illustrating how verstile they are.
ReplyDeletegreat blog Lexi!!
ReplyDeleteTerrific article! Dress clips are a great investment for the collector because the price is right, and they are so WEARABLE. I love that you included different ways to wear them. Thanks for including my pair of pink moonglow Lucite and pearl dress clips.
ReplyDeleteLoved your article Lexi! I enjoyed how you illustrated the different ways one can use these wonderful accessories.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, Lexi! Wonderful showcase of dress clips and different ways to wear them!
ReplyDeleteloved this post~ will share with my fellow vintage lovers on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteLexi, awesome blog! Love that you show the versatility to dress clips. I have been a collector of them for 20+ yrs. I love to wear them. Great job! Thanks
ReplyDeleteGreat article, Lexi! I love dress clips and all the ways to wear them...you definitely went above and beyond showing the fabulous ways to work them into your wardrobe...Applause, applause!
ReplyDeleteLexi this is excellent! I love all of your examples of how to wear these gorgeous clips!
ReplyDeleteI really love your blog and I am excited that you show how versatile they can be. Thank you for including the Peacock clip.
ReplyDeleteLove these pics + your blog. I'm a new follower, hope you're gonna follow back. All the best, talk soon
ReplyDeletewww.rivierabrides.com
I am posting late, but must say you have an eye for jewelry. I love all the pics, thanks for including the peacock clip.
ReplyDelete