Decoding the Store p138 Beret Spots HTML: A Vintage Hair Clip Collector’s Guide
You spot it at a car boot sale in Kent: a small, domed hair clip the colour of clotted cream, dotted with precise maroon spots. The back is stamped with a cryptic code – ‘store p138 beret spots html’. What does it mean? Is it a maker’s mark, a shade reference, or a collector’s shorthand? For anyone serious about British vintage hair accessories, these four fragments – store, p138, beret, spots, html – are clues that lead straight into the heart of mid‑century millinery and the quiet pleasure of decoding a well‑made piece.
The ‘Store p’ Numbering System
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, several British manufacturers and high‑street retailers used inventory codes beginning with a department or brand name followed by a letter and a three‑digit number. ‘Store p’ appears on hundreds of surviving hair clips, combs and small hats – many of them beret‑inspired shapes. The “p” probably stands for “pattern” or “product line”, and the number indicates a specific design variant. For example, the Ric Rac No. 3 features a similar system. The p138 code places our beret clip somewhere in the middle of that numbering sequence – likely from the same manufacturer that produced the classic Sidney Braided Headband 6, though the materials and silhouette differ. Collectors who have compared the p129 beret (a clean, unpatterned shape) with the p130 and p132 versions note that each increment often introduced a new decoration or colourway.
Why a Beret Shape?
The beret shape in hair accessories became popular thanks to post‑war French fashion exports and the British love of sculptural simplicity. A beret clip usually consists of a shallow, rounded dome – sometimes padded, sometimes a hard resin shell – attached to a spring‑loaded metal or plastic barrette mechanism. When worn, it sits on the side or back of the head like a tiny felt hat, adding volume without the weight of a full fascinator. The shape works especially well with the short, set hairstyles of the 1950s and the geometric cuts of the 1960s. The p138 variant takes this classic dome and enlivens it with spots.
Spots – A British Polka‑Dot Love Affair
Polka dots were everywhere in Britain after the Second World War – from tea dresses to kitchen lino, and of course, hair accessories. The spots on the p138 beret are likely applied either as enamel dots fired onto a metal base or as painted resin highlights. Maroon, navy, mustard and black on cream are the most common colour pairs you will find. The size and spacing of the dots can help date the piece: early 1950s spots tend to be larger and more widely spaced, while late‑1950s and early‑1960s versions use smaller, denser arrangements. Examine the edges of the spots for evidence of hand‑painting or machine tampography – the former suggests a more expensive, short‑run item, perhaps from a department store’s millinery workroom.
The ‘html’ Suffix – A Collector’s Riddle
Perhaps the most puzzling part of the stamp is “html”. In modern computing it stands for HyperText Markup Language – anachronistic for a mid‑century accessory. Could it be a colour code? Some British makers used letters as shorthand for finishes: H for highly polished, T for transparent, M for matte, L for lavender. “HTML” might thus represent “Hot Metal Lavender”, a lacquer used to achieve a subtle tinted sheen over the metal. Alternatively, it might be a factory internal code for a production run or a particular batch of enamel paints. I have seen the suffix “htm” on a few other store‑p clips (usually without the “l”), so this could be a very specific job number. Until a factory archive turns up, we can only admire the mystery – and use the code to search for siblings. A quick scout through online vintage auctions, using the exact phrase “store p138 beret”, often reveals other identical clips, confirming that “html” denotes a consistent variant rather than a one‑off mistake.
How to Identify and Date Your p138 Spots Beret
Materials: Most store‑p berets with enamel work use a brass or gilded metal base. The enamel is usually vitreous (fired) for durability, though some cheaper versions use cold paint. Tap the underside gently with a fingernail – vitreous enamel gives a sharp, glassy ring; cold paint sounds dull. The barrette mechanism can be a steel spring clip or a plastic “invisible” grip. Plastic grips place the piece in the late 1950s or early 1960s; steel springs are earlier.
Dimensions: The p138 dome is typically 4–5 cm in diameter – perfect for tucking into a low chignon or anchoring a side twist. If your clip is smaller (2–3 cm), it may be a child’s version, though the code remains the same.
Condition: Spots are the first thing to wear away on these clips. Look for chipping around the edges of the dots. A few minor chips are acceptable and even add to the vintage character; heavy loss suggests the piece was heavily used or poorly stored. The metal spring should still hold firm – if it gaps or doesn’t close, you can carefully pinch it with pliers, but be gentle with the enamel.
Styling the p138 Beret Today
Vintage spots are surprisingly easy to weave into a modern wardrobe. Because the domed shape is substantial, it reads best when paired with sleek, simple hair: a low ponytail, a deep side part, or a neat French roll. Let the clip be the focal point – avoid other strongly patterned accessories. For daytime in London, try it on a grey wool beret (the real hat) for a layered, art‑school look. In the evening, a cream or navy p138 beret clip can sit at the nape of the neck, catching candlelight on the glossy enamel. The spot pattern nods to 1950s charm without screaming “costume”, making it a favourite among stylists who work with heritage fashion.
Care and Storage for the Enamel Beret Clip
To keep your p138 spots bright, store the clip in a padded compartment – a fabric‑lined jewellery box or a small cloth pouch works well. Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight for long periods; ultraviolet light can fade the coloured spots unevenly. When cleaning, use a soft, dry polishing cloth (the kind you would use for silver) to lift surface dust. For tougher grime, slightly dampen one corner with distilled water and wipe gently, then dry immediately. Never use chemical cleaners or abrasive creams – they will attack the enamel and dull the gold tone. If you notice the spring weakening, a tiny drop of sewing machine oil applied to the hinge point can restore movement without damaging the decorative surface.
The last time I held a store p138 beret spots html, I turned it over in my palm and imagined the workshop where it was born – a small room in Birmingham or London with stacks of enamelled domes cooling on racks. The spots, carefully placed, the code stamped with a press. That link to an anonymous maker is what keeps me looking. If you own one of these clips, take a moment to look at the back with a loupe. You might just discover a faint extra letter or a tiny hallmark that no one else has recorded yet. And if you do, share your finding – the puzzle is always more satisfying when solved together.