The Periwinkle Cloud Hair Clip: A Vintage British Accessory Guide

When you hold a vintage Cloud hair clip in periwinkle, the first thing you notice is the colour – that soft, dusty blue-violet that sits somewhere between lavender and slate. It is a shade that catches the light without shouting, and it has a peculiar ability to make even the most ordinary updo feel considered. The Cloud clip itself is not a cloud-shaped silhouette, as the name might suggest, but rather a smooth, rounded barrette with a gentle wave along the top edge, designed to grip hair without snagging. The 'Cloud' in its name comes from the soft, almost pillowy finish of the resin – a hallmark of the small British manufacturer that produced them between 1987 and 1993.

What Makes the Periwinkle Cloud Clip Distinctive

The Cloud clip belongs to a family of barrettes that were moulded from a single piece of cellulose acetate, then hand-polished to a satin sheen. The periwinkle colour was part of a pastel series that also included peach, mint, and baby pink. What sets the periwinkle apart is its unpredictable depth: depending on the batch, the colour can lean slightly more grey or more violet, and early examples from 1987 have a faint pearlescence that later runs lack. Collectors often describe it as a 'moody pastel' – a term that captures its ability to shift tone under different lighting.

Construction and Materials

These clips were made from cellulose acetate, a plant-based plastic that was popular in British accessory manufacturing until the early 1990s. The material is lightweight, warm to the touch, and develops a subtle patina over decades. Unlike injection-moulded plastics, acetate clips were cut from sheets, then tumbled and polished, which gives them a smoothness that modern resin clips rarely match. The Cloud clip measures approximately 6 cm in length, with a spring-loaded hinge that uses a single metal pin – a design that is both sturdy and simple to repair if the spring loosens.

How to Identify a Genuine Cloud Clip

Because the Cloud clip has developed a following among vintage collectors, reproductions have appeared. Here are the key markers to look for:

• The wavy top edge – authentic clips have a gentle, asymmetrical curve that rises slightly higher on one side. This was created by hand-filing each piece after moulding.
• The hinge mechanism – a small, circular metal disc sits at the centre of the spring. On fakes, the hinge is often a flat rectangle.
• The colour depth – true periwinkle acetate has tiny, irregular colour variations within the material, visible under a magnifying glass. Solid, uniform colour indicates a modern resin cast.
• The maker's mark – a tiny embossed 'C' inside a circle on the inside of the clip, near the hinge. This mark is very faint and often missed by counterfeiters.

Styling the Periwinkle Cloud Clip Today

The periwinkle Cloud clip is surprisingly versatile in a modern wardrobe. Its muted tone works with both cool and warm colour palettes. For a day look, slide it into a low side-swept ponytail – the clip's width holds medium to thick hair securely. In the evening, use it to pin back one side of a half-up style, letting the periwinkle echo the blue notes in a navy silk blouse or a grey cashmere jumper. Because the colour is soft, it does not compete with bold prints; it actually anchors them. I have worn mine with a striped Breton top and cream trousers, and the clip became the quiet focal point of the outfit.

Pairing with Other Vintage Accessories

The periwinkle colour belongs to the same family as the popular Asta Flower hair clip shades. If you already collect those, you will find that the Cloud clip sits comfortably alongside them. For a curated vintage look, try stacking the Cloud clip with a smaller periwinkle Asta Flower clip – the different textures (smooth barrette vs. textured flower) create a pleasing contrast. For more on building a collection around specific colours, see The Asta Flower Hair Clip: A Collector's Guide to Colours, Care, and Styling, which covers similar acetate pieces.

Caring for Your Cloud Clip

Cellulose acetate is durable but sensitive to heat and prolonged sunlight. To keep your periwinkle clip in good condition:

• Store it away from direct light – a fabric-lined jewellery box or a drawer is ideal. Prolonged UV exposure can fade the periwinkle to a pale grey.
• Clean with a soft, damp cloth and mild soap. Never use alcohol or acetone, as these can dissolve the acetate surface.
• If the clip becomes cloudy or develops a white haze, rub it gently with a tiny amount of mineral oil on a cotton bud, then buff with a dry cloth. This restores the original sheen.
• Check the spring occasionally. If the clip feels loose, a jeweller can replace the spring pin for a few pounds – much cheaper than replacing the clip.

Why Periwinkle Endures

Periwinkle is a colour that refuses to be pinned to one decade. It appeared in Edwardian hat trims, in 1950s cocktail dresses, and again in 1980s accessory lines. The Cloud clip version captures that timelessness. It is not a loud statement piece, but a subtle companion – the kind of accessory that rewards a second look. When you slide it into your hair, you are not just wearing a clip; you are wearing a small piece of British design history, a carefully chosen colour, and a quiet confidence that does not need to announce itself.