The Store p176 Ivy Barrette: A Blue Vintage Hair Clip from Mid-Century Britain

That tiny stamp inside a metal hair clip? For collectors of British vintage accessories, 'Store p176' means something specific: a particular era of manufacturing, a distinct design language, and often, a charmingly overlooked piece. The ivy barrette in blue is one such item — a clip that balances botanical delicacy with the sturdy practicality expected from mid-century British haberdashery.

Unlike the more flamboyant diamante pieces or the elaborate tortoiseshell combs of the same period, the p176 ivy barrette belongs to a quieter tradition. Its charm lies in restraint. The clip itself is typically formed from a single piece of metal, often brass or a nickel alloy, with a spring mechanism that opens and closes with a satisfying snap. The blue colour is not a solid enamel coating but a translucent wash, sometimes called 'jewel blue' or 'sapphire tint', applied over a textured surface that mimics the veins of an ivy leaf.

The manufacturing context explains a lot. The 'Store' prefix in the code suggests a department store or chain of boutiques that commissioned these clips in bulk, selling them under a house brand rather than a named designer. The p176 number is likely an internal catalogue reference, possibly from the 1950s or early 1960s, when natural motifs — leaves, flowers, berries — dominated British accessory design.

Anatomy of the p176 Ivy Barrette

What makes this barrette distinctive is the way the ivy motif is integrated into the structure. Unlike a flat clip with a decal glued on top, the p176 is shaped. The back of the clip is a simple rectangular bar, but the front is sculpted into a low-relief ivy leaf, sometimes with a second, smaller leaf overlapping at the stem. The blue colour is applied only to the leaf surfaces, leaving the edges and the clip mechanism in the bare metal — usually a warm brass tone that has aged to a gentle patina over decades.

• Material: Brass or nickel alloy base, with translucent enamel or lacquer colouring.
• Mechanism: Spring-action clamp, typical of mid-century barrettes. The tension is moderate, suitable for medium-thick hair.
• Dimensions: Approximately 5 cm in length and 1.5 cm in width — compact enough to hold a side section or secure a half-up style.
• Colour: Translucent blue, ranging from a pale cornflower to a deeper navy depending on the batch and wear.
• Markings: 'Store p176' stamped on the inner flat surface of the clip, often in small, slightly uneven letters.

Where the p176 Fits in British Hair Accessory History

The 1950s and early 1960s were a golden age for British hair accessories. Post-war austerity gave way to a hunger for small luxuries, and barrettes, slides, and combs were affordable ways to refresh a wardrobe. The ivy motif was particularly popular — it carried connotations of English gardens, academic tradition (ivy-covered university walls), and a kind of restrained romanticism.

Compared to the more ornate pieces of the same era, such as the diamante-encrusted slides worn for evening events, the p176 ivy barrette was a daytime accessory. It paired naturally with tweed jackets, cotton dresses, and the neat, practical hairstyles of the period — a side-swept wave, a low ponytail, or a simple twist pinned at the nape of the neck.

For collectors today, the appeal of the p176 lies in its accessibility. It is not a rare museum piece but a quotidian object that many women owned and wore. Finding one in good condition — with the blue colour still vibrant and the spring mechanism intact — is a small victory. The blue version is less common than the green or tortoiseshell variants, which makes it a target for dedicated searchers.

How to Wear the Store p176 Ivy Barrette Today

Integrating a vintage barrette into a modern outfit requires a light touch. The p176's blue is a cool accent that works well with neutrals — cream, grey, navy, and black. It also harmonises with denim, which is a natural partner for a piece that already carries a hint of casual, garden-inspired elegance.

Try positioning the barrette at a slight angle, securing a side section of hair that has been loosely twisted. The translucent blue catches the light without overwhelming the hairstyle. For a more deliberate vintage feel, pair it with a soft wave set with rollers or a modern curling iron. The clip can also be used to hold a silk scarf in place, creating a hybrid accessory that nods to both 1950s and 1970s styling.

If you are building a collection of blue-toned accessories, the p176 barrette sits well alongside other pieces from the same period. The The Vintage Star Hair Clip: A British Fashion History shares a similar scale and metal finish, making the two clips interchangeable for different occasions. For a more textured look, the Snow Flakes 4: A Guide to Britain’s Vintage Snowflake Hair Clips offers a contrasting geometric pattern that plays off the organic ivy shape.

Caring for a Blue Enamel Barrette

Vintage enamel and lacquer surfaces require gentle handling. The blue colour on the p176 is not a modern hard enamel; it is a thin, translucent layer that can chip or fade if exposed to harsh chemicals, heat, or prolonged sunlight. Here is a practical care routine for keeping the barrette in wearable condition:

• Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and hair product residue. If the clip is sticky, dampen the cloth with a tiny amount of mild soap and water, then wipe the metal parts only — avoid saturating the coloured area.
• Storage: Keep the barrette in a fabric-lined box or a soft pouch, separate from other metal accessories that could scratch the surface. A silica gel packet in the storage box helps control humidity.
• Spring maintenance: If the clip becomes stiff, apply a single drop of sewing machine oil to the hinge joint, then open and close it several times to distribute the lubricant. Wipe away any excess.
• Avoid: Hairspray, dry shampoo, and styling products that contain alcohol. These can dull the translucent finish over time. Put the barrette in after styling, not before.

Identifying Authentic p176 Barrettes

Reproductions and fakes exist, so it pays to know what to look for. The p176 marking is a strong indicator, but not foolproof. Check these details when examining a potential purchase:

Feature	Authentic p176	Suspicious copy
Marking	Stamped, slightly irregular, letters and numbers are distinct	Laser-etched or printed, too uniform, or missing entirely
Metal colour	Warm brass or dark nickel, with natural patina	Bright, uniform gold or silver tone, no ageing
Blue finish	Translucent, with visible brush strokes or uneven pooling	Opaque, glossy, perfectly even
Spring tension	Firm but not stiff, opens with a clean snap	Loose or too tight, feels cheap
Weight	Substantial for its size, solid metal	Light, hollow, or plastic-feeling

If you find a barrette that matches these criteria, especially one with a clearly legible 'Store p176' stamp and a blue colour that shifts slightly when you tilt it in the light, you have a genuine mid-century piece.

The p176 ivy barrette in blue isn't a museum piece. It's a well-made, everyday object that was meant to be used. The blue shifts slightly when you tilt it in the light — a reminder that it was made by hand, not machine. That's the kind of detail that makes a quotidian object worth keeping.