Welcome to Dear Miss Eiderdown: A Vintage Hair Accessory Journal

The name came to me one grey afternoon in a Shropshire antiques shop, while I was turning over a celluloid comb carved with roses. The comb was light, warm from the hand of someone who had worn it decades ago, and I thought of eiderdown: the softest, most insulating down, gathered from the nests of eider ducks. It speaks of comfort, of careful preservation, of something precious that needs gentle handling. Dear Miss Eiderdown became the address for letters to a collector who treats every piece of history with that same reverence—a persona, perhaps, but also a promise to you, the reader, that here we value the stories held in a single hairpin or a ribbon-bound bow.

This journal is a chronicle of vintage hair accessories in British fashion, written for those who love the quiet elegance of a well-made barrette, the swing of a 1940s velvet bow, or the intricate comb that once held a debutante’s chignon. We explore not just the objects themselves, but the materials, techniques, and cultural moments that shaped them. Whether you are a seasoned collector or someone who has just discovered the thrill of a charity shop find, you will find practical guidance, historical context, and a shared appreciation for the details that make vintage accessories so enduring.

The Spirit of Dear Miss Eiderdown

At its heart, this blog is a conversation about conscious fashion. Vintage hair accessories are inherently sustainable—they have already outlived fads, and they can be worn again with a fresh perspective. But we also believe in informed collecting. That means understanding the difference between genuine tortoiseshell and early plastics, knowing how to spot a hand-carved horn comb versus a moulded one, and learning the subtle signs of age that add character, not damage. Every article here is written with the same care we would give to a letter to a friend: warm, detailed, and never condescending.

We cover a wide range of periods and styles. From the elaborate Edwardian combs that graced hair piled high in Gibson Girl waves, to the sleek metal clips of the 1920s bob, to the exuberant plastic bows of the 1950s, each era left its mark on hair accessory design. British fashion, in particular, has a rich tradition of understated elegance—think of the refined simplicity of a 1940s utility comb, or the restrained glamour of a 1930s carved bakelite pin. These are the treasures we seek out and celebrate here.

A Collector’s Alphabet: From Barrettes to Combs

To help you navigate the world of vintage hair accessories, let us list some of the most common types you will encounter, along with a few tips for identification and appreciation.

• Barrettes (or hair slides) – Hinged clips that snap shut, often with metal or plastic bodies. Look for hand-painted enamel or celluloid inlays. 1940s and 1950s examples frequently feature floral or geometric motifs.
• Bows – Fabric or ribbon bows attached to a clip or comb. Velvet, grosgrain, and silk are common. The 1940s saw large, structured bows; the 1950s favoured smaller, perky versions.
• Combs – They come in many shapes: dressing combs (long and wide), side combs, and decorative combs meant to be worn at the back of the head. Tortoiseshell (real or simulated) and horn were traditional; later, celluloid and bakelite dominated.
• Hairpins and hairpins – Simple wire pins, often with decorative ends. The Edwardian era produced exquisite examples with seed pearl or glass bead tops.
• Snoods and hairnets – Woven or crocheted nets that encase the hair. Popular in the 1940s and 1950s, often with a decorative comb or clip at the front.
• Tiaras and headbands – More formal accessories, often used for weddings or evening events. Victorian and Edwardian tiaras were often made of silver or gilt metal with paste stones.

Each type requires a different approach to evaluation. For example, when examining a vintage comb, check the teeth for cracks or missing pieces—especially near the base where stress is highest. For fabric bows, look for moth damage or fading along the folds. The blog’s archive posts often go into deeper detail on specific categories; for instance, the craftsmanship and revival of September 2017 are captured in our September 2017 archive, which highlights horn combs and velvet bows from that month’s discoveries.

Materials and Their Stories

The material of a vintage hair accessory is its biography. It tells you when it was made, what technology was available, and often what social class the wearer belonged to. Here are the key materials you will encounter:

Material	Era Peak	Characteristics	Care Notes
Tortoiseshell (real)	1820s–1910s	Amber and brown mottling, translucent when thin, warm to the touch. CITES-protected—buy only antique.	Keep away from heat and sunlight. Wipe gently with a damp cloth. Do not soak.
Celluloid	1880s–1930s	Lightweight, can imitate tortoiseshell or ivory. Often smells like camphor when scratched.	Flammable! Avoid heat, strong light, and friction. Store in a cool, dark place.
Bakelite	1920s–1940s	Dense, heavy, with a distinctive scent when polished (formaldehyde). Colours include deep red, green, butterscotch, and black.	Clean with a soft cloth and a tiny bit of mild soap. Do not use alcohol or acetone.
Horn	1800s–present (handmade)	Layered, often with a translucent tip. Can be carved or polished. Lighter than tortoiseshell.	Condition occasionally with a natural oil (like jojoba). Avoid water.
Metal (silver, gilt, brass)	All eras	Stamped or hand-wrought. Silver tarnishes, gilt can wear off.	Polish carefully with a non-abrasive cloth. Store in an anti-tarnish pouch if possible.

Knowing the material helps you date a piece and also informs how to care for it. For example, bakelite can be buffed to a high shine, but celluloid will scratch easily. The enduring appeal of striped hair accessories in British fashion often relies on painted or inlaid stripes on celluloid and bakelite—a technique that requires careful handling to preserve the crisp lines.

Caring for Your Vintage Treasures

Preservation is a core value of this blog. A vintage accessory can last for generations if you treat it with respect. Here are a few universal guidelines:

• Store each piece separately – Use soft pouches or acid-free tissue paper to prevent scratching. Plastic bags can trap moisture and cause damage to certain materials.
• Keep away from direct sunlight – UV rays fade colours and weaken some plastics. Display in a drawer or a box, not on a sunny windowsill.
• Minimal cleaning – Often a gentle wipe with a dry microfibre cloth is enough. For stubborn dirt, use a barely damp cloth and dry immediately. Never use harsh chemicals.
• Handle with clean, dry hands – Oils and acids from skin can accelerate tarnishing on metal and dull the finish on plastics.
• Periodic inspection – Check for hairline cracks, loose stones, or rust. Catching small issues early can prevent catastrophic breaks.

If you own a particularly fragile piece—like an Edwardian tortoiseshell comb—consider wearing it only for special occasions and storing it flat in a padded box. The blog’s archive from March 2017 is a good place to revisit vintage hair accessories with fresh eyes, including a detailed guide on assessing the condition of older combs.

How to Use This Blog

Dear Miss Eiderdown is organised as a journal, with monthly archives dating back to 2016. Each archive captures a specific theme or period of discovery. Whether you are looking for inspiration on how to wear a 1950s bow with a modern blazer, or seeking advice on identifying a maker’s mark on a celluloid barrette, the archives are a rich resource. The blog also features occasional deep dives into specific topics—such as the resurgence of striped hair accessories, or the craftsmanship of horn comb makers in the 19th century.

We encourage you to explore the archives in chronological order or by tags. The September 2018 archive, for example, offers lessons on evaluating vintage hair accessories from a collector’s perspective, while the October 2016 archive provides a foundation in British fashion history. Each post is written with the same ethos: to inform, inspire, and never overwhelm.

If you are new to vintage collecting, start with one type of accessory that catches your eye—perhaps a simple 1940s clip or a 1920s bandeau. Learn everything you can about that one piece: its materials, its era, its typical wear. Then branch out. The joy of this hobby is in the slow accumulation of knowledge, not the number of pieces you own.

Finally, remember that every vintage accessory has already lived a life. It might have been worn to a dance, a wedding, or a day at the office. When you hold it, you are connecting with a moment in time. Treat it kindly, and it will tell you its story.