Vintage Hair Accessories in British Cinema: Iconic Looks from the Silver Screen

In the 1945 film Brief Encounter, Celia Johnson's character Laura Jesson wears a simple tortoiseshell hair comb that has become a symbol of restrained elegance. The comb, with its subtle curve and warm amber tones, is almost invisible against her dark hair, yet it anchors the entire silhouette of her 1940s hairstyle. This understated accessory is a perfect example of how British cinema used hair accessories not as decoration, but as a quiet tool of character definition. Across decades, from the tightly wound curls of wartime dramas to the free-flowing waves of the Swinging Sixties, the hair accessories on screen have mirrored social change, fashion trends, and the evolving identity of British women.

For collectors, these cinematic moments offer a treasure trove of inspiration. Recognising a specific comb, clip, or headband from a beloved film can transform a vintage find from a simple object into a piece of storytelling. The connection between film and hair accessories is especially strong in British cinema, where costume designers often sourced antique pieces or had them custom-made to achieve historical accuracy or a particular mood.

The Golden Age: 1940s–1950s

Post-war British cinema embraced a sense of practicality and polish. Hair accessories were functional – they kept styles neat and conformed to the silhouettes of the era. The tortoiseshell comb, like the one in Brief Encounter, was a staple. Also common were:

• Snoods – worn in period dramas like The Happy Breed (1944) to evoke a 1930s or wartime look.
• Velvet headbands – seen in films such as The Red Shoes (1948), where Moira Shearer's character wears a narrow velvet band that adds a touch of romance to her ballet roles.
• Decorative hairpins – often with small pearls or rhinestones, used in adaptations of Oscar Wilde's plays, like The Importance of Being Earnest (1952), to suggest elegance and wit.

These accessories were typically made from cellulose acetate (tortoiseshell effect), metal, or fabric. The materials were chosen for durability and comfort, as actresses wore them for long hours on set. When collecting pieces from this period, look for smooth edges, consistent colouring, and original clasps or springs. A well-preserved comb from the 1940s can still be used today without damaging modern hair.

Swinging Sixties: British New Wave and the Hair Accessory Revolution

The 1960s brought a seismic shift in both cinema and fashion. British New Wave films like Alfie (1966), Georgy Girl (1966), and Blow-Up (1966) featured actresses with looser, more natural hair. The accessories that defined this decade were bold and playful: wide headbands, large fabric bows, and oversized clips. The Monterey 67 collection, which catalogs hair accessories that defined a summer of love, offers insight into the flower child aesthetic that permeated British cinema of the late 1960s. In Blow-Up, the model Veruschka wears a striking black velvet headband that cinches her long hair – a look that became iconic for its effortless cool.

Julie Christie in Darling (1965) popularised the velvet headband as a symbol of modern sophistication. Her character's accessories were often simple but deliberate, reflecting a new independence. For collectors, the appeal of 1960s hair accessories lies in their bold colours, graphic patterns, and unusual materials like plastic, silk, and suede. The Nina Headband is a quintessential example of the British vintage headband that echoes the styles seen in Swinging London films. Its design references the wide, often padded headbands that were everywhere in mid-1960s cinema.

Key Films and Their Accessories

Film	Year	Key Hair Accessory
Brief Encounter	1945	Tortoiseshell comb
The Red Shoes	1948	Velvet headband
Darling	1965	Black velvet headband
Blow-Up	1966	Wide fabric headband
Georgy Girl	1966	Large bow clip

Collecting Cinema-Inspired Hair Accessories: A Practical Guide

The joy of building a collection inspired by British cinema is that many of these pieces are still available at antique fairs, estate sales, and online vintage shops. To ensure you are getting authentic items that match the screen looks, follow these tips:

1. Know the era's materials. 1940s combs are often made of cellulose acetate, which can have a distinct smell (like camphor) when new. 1960s headbands may have a metal wire core inside the fabric – a hallmark of quality.
2. Check for wear consistent with use. A genuine vintage piece will show slight patina, but avoid cracked or broken components. Springs on clips can be replaced, but original metalwork is preferable.
3. Research the film. Look for production stills, costume designer interviews, or fan sites that describe the exact accessories used. Knowing the context adds value to your collection.
4. Test the accessory on your hair. Before buying, if possible, test how it grips. Combs should slide in smoothly; headbands should not pinch.

For a 1960s look, try a black velvet headband – the kind seen on Julie Christie in Darling. To find an authentic piece, examine the stitching and backing; original 1960s headbands often have a wire core for shaping and are lined with a thin cotton tape to prevent slipping. When you wrap it around your head, the wire should allow you to bend it slightly to fit your crown. That small detail – the wire – is a fingerprint of the era.