1960s Hair Accessories: How to Wear and Choose Vintage Pieces

A wide band worn just behind the hairline could do more for a 1960s silhouette than an elaborate ornament. Set against a rounded crown or a sharp fringe, it brought the outline into focus. Many of the decade’s most recognisable accessories worked that way: a little ribbon, plastic or fabric gave shape and colour to the hair without hiding the cut.

There was no single Swinging Sixties look. Early-decade polish sat alongside London’s youth-led fashions and, later, longer, less structured hair. Nor does a hairstyle made for the camera tell us what everyone wore to work or on the bus. It helps to look at how an accessory worked with the hair rather than treating every brightly coloured vintage clip as a Mod relic.

The headband: a clean line across the crown

Headbands came in narrow, flexible forms as well as fabric-covered padded shapes. With a bouffant, a band divided the smooth front section from the fullness behind it. Paired with a fringe and a geometric dress, a plain band picked up the outfit’s crisp lines. Width mattered: a narrow band was restrained; a broader, raised one made more of a graphic statement.

A fabric covering might echo a coat or dress, though contrast worked just as well. Satin had a soft sheen, woven cloth added texture, and smooth plastic gave an uninterrupted line. For a closer look at one form, the blog’s guide to the 1960s British satin padded headband examines its construction and appeal to collectors. It is one kind of sixties headband, not a stand-in for them all.

Ribbons, bows and the half-up shape

Tied around a half-up section, ribbon left the ends loose and the crown visible. Narrow grosgrain made a tidy matt stripe; velvet added depth, while satin caught the light. Ribbon could also be retied to suit the amount of hair it held, unlike a rigid clasp. A full bow and a simple knot gave different effects: the latter looked especially spare against straight, centre-parted hair.

Bows were not confined to one age group or one point in the decade. Scale and placement tell you more than any rule about who could wear one. A small bow at the back of a neat hairstyle feels quite different from one above a high ponytail. Today, a modest ribbon tied over a soft hair elastic will hold more securely than an old ribbon on its own. Spare fragile vintage silk a tight knot.

Flower clips and playful plastics

Flower shapes suited the decade’s taste for bold motifs that read at a glance. One daisy-like clip by a fringe makes a different statement from several flowers along a parting. Bright moulded pieces presented colour as a solid shape; fabric flowers had softer edges and more movement. But a floral clip advertised as “sixties” need not date from the period. The motif has been remade many times.

Plastic lent itself to economical colour and repeatable shapes, though looks alone cannot tell you a piece’s age or exact composition. A translucent petal, an opaque disc and a painted metal flower may appear similar at a distance but need different care. The guide to identifying, styling and caring for the P372 vintage daisy hairclip looks closely at one floral accessory.

Slides, combs and discreet structure

Some accessories did their work quietly. A simple slide could secure a side section; a small comb might hold hair at the crown or anchor a French twist. Finishes included polished metal, coloured plastic and fabric-covered details. On a shorter cut, matching clips added symmetry without distracting from its outline.

This is where a striking photograph can mislead a buyer. A clip that looks substantial in a close-up may hold very little hair, while an apparently ornamental comb may have been doing essential structural work. Check dimensions, tooth spacing and the fastening before deciding what a piece could hold. If a comb slides out, wear it over a section secured separately rather than forcing its teeth against the scalp.

How the accessory followed the hairstyle

The familiar sixties hair shapes called for different finishing touches. Pairing one accessory with the silhouette it suits is often more convincing than piling on several period-looking pieces.

• Bouffant or rounded crown: a band or ribbon marks the boundary between the smooth front and the volume behind it.
• Sharp fringe and geometric cut: an uncluttered band or small side clip leaves the cut’s line in view.
• Half-up hair: a bow or narrow ribbon defines the gathered section without covering the loose lengths.
• Longer, looser hair: a small flower clip or understated slide adds a point of colour without imposing a rigid shape.

Fashion photographs often heightened these effects with immaculate styling. Everyday wear had its own demands: a narrow slide needed to close properly, and a band had to remain comfortable beyond the first few minutes. Those checks matter just as much with a vintage find today.

Reading a sixties claim on a vintage find

“1960s style” and “made in the 1960s” mean different things. A period piece may have no label, while a familiar shape may have stayed in production long after the decade. Examine the whole object, not one supposedly conclusive clue.

Details to inspect before buying

• Fastening: open and close a clip gently. Look for a straight spring, secure rivets and jaws that meet as intended.
• Construction: check the reverse for worn covering, loose stitching, visible repairs or adhesive around applied decoration.
• Condition: tell ordinary surface wear apart from cracks at stress points, bent teeth or a band that has lost its grip.
• Evidence: consider any maker’s mark, packaging or provenance alongside the construction. None guarantees a precise date on its own.

When buying remotely, ask for clear photographs of the back and fastening, plus measurements. A broad date estimate may be reasonable; a precise year without supporting evidence calls for caution. Do not pay a vintage premium for a newly made piece. A reproduction can be a pleasure to wear when it is described honestly.

Wearing and looking after a piece now

One period reference is often enough. Try a plain, wide headband with a contemporary shirt and trousers, or set a flower clip beside a simple fringe instead of pairing it with every other sixties motif. To avoid asking too much of an old clip’s spring, secure a small section first and place the accessory over it. If a band presses uncomfortably or its covering splits when flexed, do not force it into regular wear.

Care depends on the material and how the piece is made. Dust plastic or metal with a soft, dry cloth. Keep fabric-covered bands and ribbons out of water; soaking can affect their backing or adhesive. Where possible, store clips closed without crushing their decoration, and leave room around projecting petals and comb teeth. Before wearing a newly acquired flower clip, check its reverse for rough edges. Even a small snag can catch a strand each time you open the clasp.