The Store p491 Strawberry Shortcake Hair Clip: A Vintage British Collectible

The scent of scented erasers, the scratch of a Cabbage Patch Kid's plastic skin, the unmistakable pink-and-green palette of a Strawberry Shortcake doll — for many British children of the early 1980s, these were the sensory anchors of a decade. Among the countless licensed products that appeared on Woolworths shelves and at local jumble sales, the humble hair clip often went unnoticed. Yet the Store p491 Strawberry Shortcake hair clip has quietly become a cult object among collectors of vintage British hair accessories, combining pop-culture nostalgia with the plastic craftsmanship of the era.

This is not a clip you will find in every charity shop. It is a piece of material culture that tells a story about the collision of American licensing, British manufacturing, and the everyday grooming habits of schoolgirls. Understanding its construction, its variations, and its place in the wider world of 1980s hair accessories is essential for anyone who wants to appreciate — and perhaps wear — this charming artefact today.

What Exactly Is the Store p491 Strawberry Shortcake Hair Clip?

The Store p491 is a reference number used by a specific vintage distributor (likely a small British wholesaler or a department store archive) to catalogue a plastic hair clip featuring the Strawberry Shortcake character. The clip is typically a spring-loaded barrette, about 5–6 cm long, made of moulded plastic. The design centres on a three-dimensional strawberry-shaped charm or a flat relief of Strawberry Shortcake's face, often with her signature red hair, pink bonnet, and green leaves.

Two main variants exist:

• Character face clip: A rectangular or oval barrette with a raised plastic image of Strawberry Shortcake's head, usually painted in bright primary colours. The clip mechanism is a standard metal spring with a plastic cover.
• Strawberry charm clip: A simpler design where the clip's top is shaped like a whole strawberry, sometimes with a tiny green leaf at the hinge. The strawberry may be textured with small dots to mimic seeds.

Both types were produced under licence in the UK, most likely by a company like Bendy Toys or Palitoy, though exact manufacturer attribution remains elusive. The plastic is a hard, glossy polystyrene, typical of the early 1980s, and the paint is often enamel-based, which can chip with age.

Why the Strawberry Shortcake Clip Matters for Vintage Hair Accessory Collectors

For the collector of British vintage hair accessories, the Store p491 occupies a special niche. It is not a high-end piece like a tortoiseshell comb or a hand-painted enamel barrette from the 1950s. But it represents a moment when the hair clip became a vehicle for pop culture — a trend that exploded in the 1990s with Disney and Hello Kitty clips, but whose roots are firmly in the early 1980s.

The clip is also a testament to British manufacturing of the period. While many character hair clips were imported from Hong Kong or Taiwan, the Strawberry Shortcake line was often produced locally to meet the demand of the UK market. This gives the p491 a distinct material feel: the plastic is slightly thicker, the spring tension is firm, and the paint application is sometimes uneven — all markers of domestic production.

If you are already familiar with the p489 Strawberry Claw Clip, another vintage strawberry-themed hair accessory, you will notice the difference in material and construction. The p489 is a claw clip from the same decade, but it uses a different mechanism and a softer plastic. The p491, by contrast, is a spring-barrette, which gives it a more secure hold but also makes it more prone to cracking if the plastic becomes brittle.

How to Identify an Authentic Store p491 Strawberry Shortcake Clip

Counterfeits in this category are rare, but reproductions from the 2000s do exist. Here are the key identification points for a genuine 1980s British version:

• Colour palette: The pink is a slightly muted, dusty rose — not a bright neon. The red of her hair is a true cherry red, not orange. The green leaves are a dark olive-green, not lime.
• Mould lines: Genuine clips have visible mould seams along the edges, especially around the hinge. Later reproductions are often smoother.
• Spring mechanism: The metal spring should be visible from the underside when the clip is open. It is usually a simple silver-steel coil, sometimes with slight rust. If the spring is enclosed in a plastic casing, it is likely a later version.
• Markings: Look for a faint embossed number on the inside of the clip — often “491” or “P491”. Not all have it, but many do. The number is usually about 2 mm tall.
• Weight: These clips are surprisingly heavy for their size. A genuine clip weighs about 10–12 grams. A flimsy reproduction will feel much lighter.

Styling a Vintage Strawberry Shortcake Clip Today

Wearing a 1980s character clip in 2025 requires a thoughtful approach. The goal is not to look like you are in a costume, but to let the accessory add a playful, nostalgic accent to a modern outfit. Here are three ways to incorporate the Store p491 into a contemporary wardrobe:

1. The half-up twist: Use the clip to secure a small section of hair at the crown, leaving the rest loose. This works best with mid-length or long hair. The strawberry charm sits visibly on top, creating a subtle focal point. Pair with a simple white shirt and high-waisted jeans for a casual 1980s-meets-2020s vibe.
2. Side-swept barrette: Clip the barrette horizontally on one side, just above the ear, securing a section of side-swept hair. This is a classic 1980s schoolgirl styling that feels fresh again. Avoid over-styling — let the clip be the statement.
3. Mixed with other vintage clips: Combine the p491 with a plain tortoiseshell barrette or a simple enamel clip. The contrast between the character piece and a more subdued accessory creates an eclectic, curated look. For guidance on pairing, see our article on The Store p234 Maison Archives Kitty K Clip: A Vintage Cat Hair Clip Worth Collecting — the cat clip shares a similar scale and can be worn on the opposite side.

Because the clip is made of brittle plastic, avoid using it on very thick or wet hair. The spring tension can cause the plastic to crack if forced. It is best suited for fine to medium hair, or for holding a small section.

Caring for Your Store p491: What Every Collector Should Know

Preserving a vintage plastic hair clip requires more care than a modern metal or resin piece. The main enemies are UV light, heat, and moisture.

• Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cotton cloth to gently wipe the surface. If the clip is very dusty, you can use a slightly damp cloth, but dry it immediately. Never soak the clip in water — the spring can rust, and the paint can lift.
• Storage: Keep the clip in a dark, cool place, ideally in a padded box or a soft fabric pouch. Avoid stacking heavy objects on top of it. The plastic can become brittle over decades, and pressure can cause hairline cracks.
• Paint touch-ups: If the paint has chipped, resist the urge to repaint it. A vintage clip with honest wear has more value and authenticity than a “restored” one. If you must restore it, use a tiny amount of acrylic paint matched to the original colour, and seal with a matte varnish. This is a last resort.
• Spring maintenance: If the clip becomes loose, you can gently bend the metal spring coil inward with fine pliers, but be extremely careful. It is often better to accept the looseness and use the clip for low-hold styling.

Where to Find the Store p491 Today

Because this clip was a mass-produced children's accessory, it is not as rare as some handcrafted pieces, but it is increasingly scarce in good condition. The best hunting grounds are:

• British car boot sales and flea markets, especially in the Midlands and the North, where 1980s toys and accessories were sold in large quantities.
• Online vintage marketplaces such as Etsy and eBay, searching with terms like “vintage Strawberry Shortcake hair clip UK”, “P491 barrette”, or “1980s character clip”.
• Specialist vintage hair accessory fairs, such as the Vintage Hair Accessories Fair in London (held biannually).

Prices vary widely. A clip in excellent condition with original paint and no cracks can fetch £25–£40. A faded or chipped example might be £5–£10. The key is to inspect the condition of the plastic: look for hairline cracks near the hinge, as these are structural and cannot be repaired.

A Note on the Broader Context of 1980s Licensed Hair Clips

The Store p491 is part of a larger family of licensed character hair clips that flooded the British market in the early 1980s. The same manufacturers produced clips featuring My Little Pony, Care Bears, and Smurfs. Each has its own collectibility, but the Strawberry Shortcake clip stands out because of its distinctive shape and the enduring popularity of the character. The clip also reflects a shift in hair accessory design: from purely functional items to expressive, collectible objects that children chose to wear as a statement of identity.

For the modern collector, the p491 is a bridge between the practical hair clips of the mid-century and the branded accessories of the 1990s. It is a small, tangible piece of childhood memory — and one that can still be worn today with a little care and a lot of affection.