Your Bagdentity: How Vintage Hair Accessories Tell Your Story

Last summer, at a dusty antiques fair in Bath, I spotted a single tortoiseshell hair comb lying on a velvet tray. It wasn’t particularly ornate – just a gentle curve with hand-cut scallops – but something about its quiet confidence made me reach for it. The seller, an older woman with silver hair pinned in a loose knot, smiled. ‘That comb has been waiting for someone who understands its story,’ she said. I bought it, and it has rarely left my hair since. That moment made me realise: we don’t just collect vintage hair accessories; we let them collect us. Our choices shape a quiet, personal language – a ‘bagdentity’, if you will: the distinctive identity we express through the bags, accessories, and adornments we choose. And when it comes to hair clips, combs, and bows, that identity can be surprisingly revealing.

Your bagdentity isn’t about following trends or filling a Pinterest board. It’s about the honest match between your inner self and the tactile, historical objects you wear. A 1920s filigree comb might whisper of jazz and rebellion; a 1950s velvet bow might speak to polished charm; a 1990s butterfly clip could echo the laid-back nostalgia of childhood. The beauty of vintage hair accessories is that they carry these echoes, and by choosing one, you literally pin a piece of history to your daily life.

How Eras Shape Your Personal Language

Each decade produced hair accessories with distinct silhouettes and intentions. Understanding these can help you identify which era’s vocabulary resonates most with your own style.

1920s–1930s: The Sculptural Statement

Combs from the Art Deco period are often large, geometric, and daring. They weren’t shy. Materials like celluloid (early plastic) and genuine tortoiseshell were carved into sharp angles, fan shapes, or intricate latticework. If you’re drawn to bold, architectural lines and enjoy a piece that demands a moment of silence when you enter a room, this might be your bagdentity.

1940s–1950s: The Refined Bow

Post-war austerity gave way to a love for soft femininity. Fabric bows – often in velvet, satin, or grosgrain – became everyday essentials. They could be attached to metal clips or simply tied around a ponytail. Wearing a 1950s bow suggests a fondness for structure and charm, a nod to a time when dressing well was a quiet act of optimism.

1960s–1970s: The Playful Experiment

Plastic barrettes in bright pastels, oversized daisy clips, and wooden hair sticks. The swinging sixties and seventies celebrated colour and movement. If your style leans bohemian or eclectic, pieces from this era let you channel free-spirited creativity without sacrificing vintage authenticity.

1990s: The Sassy Comeback

Butterfly clips, scrunchies, and tiny claw clips. The nineties are having a well-documented renaissance, and for good reason: these accessories are fun, forgiving, and full of personality. They’re also surprisingly versatile – a few butterfly clips can elevate a basic ponytail into something playful yet refined. A 1990s bagdentity often means you value joy over perfection.

Five Questions to Uncover Your Bagdentity

Rather than guessing, try this short self-interview the next time you browse a vintage stall or your own collection. Write down the first answer that comes to mind.

1. What texture or material makes you feel most like ‘you’? (e.g., smooth Bakelite, soft velvet, cool metal, warm wood)
2. If your hair accessory could hum one note, what would it be? (low and grounding, bright and lilting, or a steady middle tone)
3. Pick a colour you never thought you’d wear – does it still feel off, or does it suddenly make sense?
4. Think of a person from history or fiction whose hair you admire. Is it a Regency heroine with a pearl comb, or a punk rocker with safety pins? That figure is an archetype of your bagdentity.
5. Now imagine you’re late for a meeting and can only wear one hair accessory for the rest of the day. Which one do you grab? That’s your non-negotiable signature.

I did this exercise myself and was surprised to land on an amber-toned celluloid comb from the 1930s – something I had always considered ‘too much’ for my quiet style. Yet once I tried it, it felt exactly right. The exercise works because it bypasses style rules and connects you to instinct.

Building a Wardrobe of Stories

Once you have a sense of your bagdentity, the real fun begins: curating a small collection that reflects who you are today, while honouring the past. Start with one or two pieces you truly love – not just what’s trendy. A single 1950s velvet bow can be worn with a modern trench coat to create a timeless silhouette; a 1970s wooden hair stick pairs beautifully with a messy bun and linen shirt. The goal is not to look like you stepped out of a decade, but to let a piece of history whisper through your own story.

For practical guidance on caring for these finds, our earlier post on building a vintage hair accessory routine covers cleaning, storage, and the gentle handling that keeps a clip or comb alive for another generation.

Combining Classic Accessories with a Modern Wardrobe

This is where theory meets outfit. A common worry is that vintage accessories might look costumey or out of place. Here are three concrete pairings that work every time:

• Bakelite bangle clips (1940s) + a white silk blouse and cropped jeans – the warm amber or green of Bakelite adds a focal point without competing with clean lines.
• Velvet bow barrette (1950s) + a simple black turtleneck dress – the bow becomes the jewellery of your outer silhouette. Choose burgundy, navy, or forest green for depth.
• Butterfly clips (1990s) + high-waisted trousers and a cashmere sweater – a surprising mix of refined and carefree. Space the clips asymmetrically for a deliberate, editorial look.

The key is balance: let the hair accessory be the main accent, and keep the rest of your outfit grounded in modern, solid colours. Avoid competing patterns.

The Collector’s Eye: What to Look For

Your bagdentity will also influence which items are worth buying. If you’re drawn to 1920s combs, examine the condition of the teeth (they break easily) and check for signs of celluloid deterioration – a faint vinegar smell or a sticky surface means the piece is actively degrading and may not survive regular handling. For fabric bows, look at the ribbon edge: fraying can be repaired, but a mouldy or brittle core is a no-go. For metal clips, test the spring mechanism – a tired spring can often be gently tightened with pliers, but a rusted hinge is final.

I once passed up a stunning 1950s pink celluloid bow because the clip was too loose to hold even a thin strand of hair. A seller assured me it could be fixed, but I had learned the hard way that not every vintage item is meant to be wearable. Sometimes the most honest choice is to let that piece go to someone who will display it in a shadow box instead.

When Your Bagdentity Changes

Just as our tastes in books or food evolve, so does our relationship with hair accessories. You might find that the 1920s comb you loved three years ago now feels too heavy, while a delicate Edwardian hairpin you once ignored becomes your daily staple. That is not inconsistency; it’s growth. Allow your collection to mirror your journey. Sell or gift pieces that no longer feel like you, and welcome new ones without guilt.

In our blog carnival Style My Way, readers share how their own bagdentity has shifted over time – from minimalist Bakerlite lovers to maximalist butterfly-clip devotees. It’s a comforting reminder that we are not locked into a single identity.

Next time you visit a charity shop or vintage fair, pick up one accessory that feels completely unlike you – perhaps a garish 1970s orange plastic comb if you usually reach for tortoiseshell. Try it on at home. If it sparks something unexpected, you may have just discovered a new layer of your bagdentity. And if it doesn’t, you’ll know your core style even better.