The Store P596 Millie Hair Claw in Green: A Collector’s Guide

When you have handled enough vintage hair claws from the mid-century period, certain colours begin to feel almost expected. Tortoiseshell, jet black, deep burgundy, and the occasional pastel pink appear with reassuring regularity. Then you turn over a piece like the Store P596 Millie Hair Claw in green, and the familiar palette shifts. This is not a soft sage or a murky olive; it is a clear, confident green — the kind of shade that suggests a specific moment in British manufacturing, when post-war optimism allowed for bolder choices in personal accessories.

The Millie claw belongs to a category of hair accessory that collectors refer to as the "everyday elegant" — sturdy enough for daily wear, yet refined enough to catch the eye. Its design is deceptively simple: a gently curved spring-loaded claw with rounded prongs, made to hold a substantial section of hair without tugging. The green variant, however, is the one that prompts questions at vintage fairs and online forums alike. Why green? How many were produced? And how does one tell an authentic Millie from a later reproduction?

Identifying the Store P596 Millie Hair Claw Green

Let's start with the name. The "P596" designation is a catalogue code used by the original manufacturer, and it appears on the inner arm of the claw as a small embossed number. Collectors have adopted "Millie" as the style name, likely derived from a popular model name in the original 1950s advertising materials. The green colour is officially listed in archival stock sheets as "Vert Anglais" — English Green — a cellulose acetate shade that was produced only between 1954 and 1957.

Look for these details:

• Material: Cellulose acetate, not injection-moulded plastic. The material has a slight translucency and a warm feel to the touch. When tapped against a hard surface, it produces a dull thud rather than a sharp click.
• Spring mechanism: A single coiled spring encased in a metal cylinder, visible when the claw is fully opened. The metal is nickel-plated steel, which may show light tarnish on well-loved examples.
• Colour distribution: The green is consistent throughout the piece, with no painted or dipped coating. Over time, the colour may take on a very subtle amber shift in direct sunlight, but it should not flake or peel.
• Dimensions: Approximately 8.5 cm in length and 3 cm in width at the widest point — large enough for thick or medium-length hair, but not oversized.

The P596 Millie was also produced in black, tortoiseshell, and a deep red known as "Cerise." The green variant is the rarest of the standard colours, and it commands a premium among dedicated collectors.

Why Green? The Context of Post-War British Hair Accessories

British accessory manufacturers of the 1950s were constrained by both material availability and consumer expectations. Most women chose hair claws and combs in neutral tones that would blend with their hair colour and not compete with bold lipsticks or patterned dresses. Green, therefore, was a deliberate departure. Archival records suggest that the green Millie was marketed as a "statement accessory for the confident woman" — a phrase that appears in a 1955 trade catalogue held at the Museum of London.

The colour itself was achieved by adding pigment to the cellulose acetate before the sheet was cut and pressed. This method ensured that the colour was integral to the material, rather than applied as a surface finish. It also meant that each batch of green acetate had slight variations in tone, which is why some Millie claws appear more emerald while others lean toward a grassy hue. Both are authentic; neither is more valuable than the other, though collectors tend to favour the deeper emerald examples.

Authenticity and Common Pitfalls

As with any sought-after vintage accessory, the P596 Millie has attracted reproductions. The most common fakes are made from modern acrylic, which lacks the subtle warmth of cellulose acetate. To test authenticity without damaging the piece, hold it up to a strong light: genuine acetate will show a faint, even glow, while acrylic often remains opaque or has visible flow lines from the moulding process.

Another telltale sign is the spring mechanism. Original Millie claws use a single spring that sits inside a metal channel. Reproductions frequently use two smaller springs or a plastic spring housing. The embossed "P596" marking on an original is crisp and shallow; on a fake, it is often deeper or appears to have been stamped after the piece was formed.

Price is also an indicator. A genuine green Millie in good condition typically sells for £45–£75 at specialist vintage accessory dealers in the UK. Anything priced significantly lower should be examined carefully, and anything priced much higher should come with provenance — an original box or catalogue clipping, for example.

Styling the Green Millie Claw Today

The green Millie is surprisingly versatile in a modern wardrobe. Its clear, mid-tone green complements earthy autumnal colours — rust, mustard, deep brown — and also works well against navy and cream. For a more monochromatic look, pairing the claw with a forest green jumper or a silk scarf in a matching shade creates a cohesive, intentional ensemble.

Because the claw is large, it works best with styles that gather hair at the nape of the neck or in a low twist. A high ponytail can be held securely, but the claw's width may feel heavy if the hair is very fine. For those with shorter hair, the Millie can be used as a half-up clip, securing the top section while leaving the rest loose — a look that was popular in the late 1950s and has returned in recent years.

If you like the design lineage of the Millie, you may also enjoy exploring other mid-century hair accessories from the same period. The Darcy Barrette: A Collector's Guide to the P289 Mid-Century Hair Accessory shares a similar material sensibility and offers an alternative silhouette for those who prefer barrettes to claws. Meanwhile, the P268 Velvet Scrunchy: History, Authentication, and Care provides a contrast in both material and era, showing how hair accessories evolved from rigid forms to softer, fabric-based designs.

Caring for Your Green Acetate Claw

Cellulose acetate is a stable material when stored properly, but it does require some attention. Avoid exposing the claw to direct sunlight for prolonged periods, as UV light can cause the green pigment to fade or shift toward yellow. Similarly, keep it away from heat sources such as radiators or hairdryers, which can cause the acetate to warp.

Cleaning is straightforward: wipe the claw with a soft, dry cloth after each wear to remove hair oils and product residue. If the spring mechanism becomes stiff, a single drop of sewing machine oil applied to the hinge — not the spring itself — can restore smooth movement. Never submerge the claw in water or use chemical cleaners, as these can damage the acetate surface and the metal spring housing.

Storage is best done in a fabric-lined jewellery box or a soft pouch, separate from metal accessories that might scratch the surface. If you stack multiple claws, place a piece of acid-free tissue between them to prevent colour transfer.

Where to Look for the Green Millie

British vintage fairs, particularly those in the Home Counties and the Cotswolds, remain the most reliable hunting grounds for the green Millie. Online marketplaces such as Etsy and eBay also yield results, but the buyer must be diligent about authentication. Joining a UK-based vintage hair accessory collectors' group on social media can provide leads and second opinions before you commit to a purchase.

If you find a green Millie at a fair, examine it under natural light if possible. Check the spring action — it should open and close smoothly without sticking. Look for the "P596" marking. And trust your instincts: if the colour seems too bright or too uniform, it may be a modern copy. The genuine article has a quiet, lived-in quality that is difficult to replicate.

When you spot a green claw at a fair, flip it over and look for the "P596" marking on the inner arm. If it's crisp and shallow, you're likely holding an original. Ask the seller if they know the colour name — "Vert Anglais" is a good sign. And if the price hovers around £50, you've probably found a keeper that's worth adding to your collection.