Collections: Maison Arxhives x Vintage Blazers — A Hair Accessory Styling Guide

When I first stumbled upon a photograph of a 1940s woman wearing a perfectly fitted tweed blazer with a pair of amber celluloid combs tucked into her pinned curls, I understood immediately that the blazer and the hair accessory were not just companions—they were equals. The structured lapels called for something equally defined in the hair, and the combs answered that call. This synergy between tailored outerwear and hair ornamentation has long fascinated collectors, but it has recently been given a new dimension by the informal “collections” approach embraced by Maison Arxhives. Not a brand in the traditional sense, Maison Arxhives is a curatorial mindset—a way of treating vintage blazers as a backdrop for hair accessories, and vice versa. Let me show you how that works in practice.

Vintage blazers—whether a 1930s Prince of Wales check, a 1970s double-breasted plaid, or a 1980s oversized linen—offer a canvas of colour, texture, and silhouette. The right hair accessory can elevate a blazer from a mere garment to a statement of personal history. Conversely, a carefully chosen blazer can give even the most delicate Edwardian hair comb a reason to be worn in the daylight. The Maison Arxhives philosophy, as I interpret it, is about building intentional pairings: treat each blazer like a frame, and each hair accessory like the artwork.

Why Blazers and Hair Accessories Belong Together

Blazers originated as activewear—navy jackets for rowing and sailing—before they were adopted by school uniforms, sports clubs, and eventually high fashion. Their structured shoulders and clean lines demand a hairstyle that does not disappear. A simple ponytail may feel underwhelming against a strong blazer silhouette, but a well-placed vintage barrette or a cluster of sunburst clips can create a visual anchor that balances the outfit. This is not about matching; it is about complementing. A grey flannel blazer with a silver-toned 1920s bandeau feels restrained and elegant. A mustard-yellow 1970s blazer with a tortoiseshell cat-eye clip feels playful and bold.

Think of the blazer as the framing architecture of your look. The hair accessory becomes the detail that draws the eye upward—a deliberate focus that a necklace or scarf cannot achieve in quite the same way. For those who love British tailoring, this pairing is a natural extension of the same care that goes into choosing a good button or a silk lining.

Building a “Maison Arxhives” Collection of Your Own

The term “collection” can feel intimidating, but Maison Arxhives encourages a personal, evolving approach. You do not need a wardrobe full of blazers; three or four distinct vintage pieces can serve as the pillars of your hair accessory styling. Here is a practical framework to start:

• 1. Identify your blazer’s era. A 1950s boxy blazer with three-quarter sleeves works beautifully with mid-century Lucite clips and small rhinestone bobby pins. A 1980s blazer with exaggerated shoulders calls for statement hair accessories—oversized bows, metal barrettes, or even decorative combs worn as side pieces.
• 2. Assess the blazer’s colour temperature. Warm tones (brown tweed, camel hair, rust plaid) pair with amber, celluloid, and brass. Cool tones (navy, grey, black, deep green) invite silver, clear Lucite, and pastel enamels.
• 3. Consider the blazer’s pattern. A busy check or tartan benefits from a solid-colour hair accessory that picks up one of the pattern’s minor hues. A solid blazer can handle patterned hair accessories—like a floral enamel clip or a geometric Art Deco comb.
• 4. Think about the occasion. A vintage blazer worn to a gallery opening or a vintage fair might support a more elaborate hair piece (a velvet bow or a gilt filigree comb). For daily wear, a simple tortoiseshell Alain Mesly–style clip can be sufficient.

Material Conversations: What Works Best

The materials of both the blazer and the hair accessory matter more than most people realise. A stiff wool blazer has a certain crispness; pairing it with a soft, matte hair clip—like unpolished horn or felt-covered snaps—can create an interesting tension. A silk or linen blazer is smoother and calls for shinier accessories: polished metal, mother-of-pearl, or faceted glass. Velvet blazers, which crop up frequently in vintage shops, are particularly forgiving: they allow both matte and shiny hair pieces, though I find that gold-tone pieces sing especially well against deep jewel-toned velvet.

One advice that I return to again and again is to test the visual weight of the accessory against the blazer’s silhouette. A very delicate Art Nouveau silver comb might get lost on a heavy-shouldered 1940s utility blazer; it would shine better on a softer 1930s cardigan-style jacket. Conversely, a chunky 1950s plastic slide might overwhelm a fine linen seersucker blazer. There is no absolute rule—only the test of standing in front of a mirror and trusting your eye.

Practical Tips for Sourcing and Styling

Finding the right vintage blazer is half the adventure. I have had great luck at British charity shops and estate sales, where tweed and school blazers are common. Look for blazers with intact linings, functional buttons, and mended—not hidden—holes. A repaired elbow patch on a Harris tweed blazer adds character, not damage. For the hair accessories, the same principles apply: check for cracks in celluloid or Lucite, test metal springs on barrettes, and ensure that old elastic is replaced (a simple task for a jeweller).

When styling a vintage blazer with hair accessories, consider the following sequence:

• Start with your base hairstyle—clean, dry, and as smooth or as textured as you like.
• Place the hair accessory in its intended position (side, top, nape) and then put on the blazer.
• Adjust the blazer’s lapels so they do not crowd or cover the accessory.
• Take a full-length photo to see the overall proportion; often the accessory needs to move an inch higher or lower to balance the lapel line.
• Wear the look for at least an hour at home before committing to a day out—this allows you to feel whether the accessory holds securely against the blazer’s collar.

A Note on Care and Preservation

Vintage blazers and vintage hair accessories both require gentle handling. Store blazers padded on hangers, away from direct sunlight. Hair accessories should be kept in separate compartments or soft pouches to avoid scratches. If you plan to wear a metal comb or clip for several hours, check that it does not snag the blazer’s fabric—some Victorian repoussé combs have sharp edges that can catch wool. A quick pass with a fine file or a bit of clear nail polish on the rough spots will protect both the comb and your garment.

Those who enjoy a more systematic approach may find inspiration in in our visual series A Day in Pictures: Vintage Hair Accessories Through the Lens, which captures the interplay of clothing and hair pieces in real-life settings. Similarly, the Return of Vintage Hair Accessories: 1920s Combs, 1950s Bows, and 1990s Butterfly Clips offers a timeline of how these accessories have cycled back into modern styling—often, I notice, worn with a well-cut blazer.

The Warmth of Intentional Dressing

What excites me most about the Maison Arxhives approach is that it is not prescriptive. It does not tell you to buy a particular brand of blazer or a specific hair comb. Instead, it invites you to see your existing wardrobe as a collection of frames, each ready to showcase a different hair treasure. That 1970s harlequin-patterned blazer you found at a car boot sale? It has been waiting for a scalloped jet-black comb. That tailored navy blazer from your grandmother’s attic? It will adore the mother-of-pearl crescent clip you inherited from a neighbour.

I have a personal rule: when I buy a new vintage blazer, I set aside an evening to try it with every hair accessory I own. Usually two or three pairings stand out immediately—those I photograph and keep in a small album. This is not about creating a flawless Instagram grid; it is about understanding the language of your own collection. Over time, the pairings become intuitive. You will walk past a rack of blazers and instantly know whether a certain comb would look right with that collar.

The next time you reach for a vintage blazer, pause before you choose a hair clip. Let the blazer speak first. Then answer it with a comb, a slide, or a bow that honours the dialogue between fabric and ornament. That is the spirit of Maison Arxhives, and it is a beautiful way to dress.