Arizona Bow Barrette Butter: A Collector’s Guide to a Vintage Icon

The Arizona bow barrette in butter is not a product you will find on a modern high-street shelf. It is a specific vintage hair accessory, most often encountered in the wild at flea markets in the Cotswolds or tucked inside a dusty box at a Sussex antiques centre. The name itself—"Arizona"—may puzzle British collectors, but it refers to a mid‑20th‑century line of American‑inspired hair accessories that briefly crossed the Atlantic. The "butter" denotes the colourway: a pale, creamy yellow that shifts between warm ivory and soft primrose depending on the light. This barrette is a small, sculptural bow, typically measuring about 5 cm across, with a metal spring clip on the back. The material is almost always injection‑moulded cellulose acetate, though earlier examples sometimes used casein. The butter finish is not painted; it is the natural colour of the plastic, which means the shade can vary slightly between batches, making each piece subtly unique.

What Makes the Arizona Bow Barrette Distinctive

To the untrained eye, a vintage bow barrette may look like any other, but the Arizona version has a few tell‑tale signs. The bow is not a simple ribbon shape; it has a pronounced central knot and two swept wings that are slightly asymmetrical. The wings are hollow underneath, which reduces weight and gives the clip a comfortable grip even on fine hair. The metal clip is a French style, with a coiled spring that runs the length of the bar. This is a late‑1950s design, refined in the early 1960s. The butter colourway is arguably the most sought‑after because it complements both silver and gold hair accessories, and it sits well against brunette and blonde hair alike. Another clue is the maker’s mark, often a tiny embossed "Arizona" on the inside of the clip, though many examples have worn smooth over time.

Materials and Construction

Cellulose acetate was the material of choice for mid‑century hair accessories because it could be moulded into intricate shapes, it was lightweight, and it did not become brittle as quickly as bakelite. The Arizona bow barrette in butter is made from a single piece of acetate, folded and pressed into the bow shape. The spring clip is then riveted to the back. The butter colour is achieved by adding a small amount of yellow pigment to the clear acetate base, giving it a translucent, almost edible quality. Collectors prize examples with no cracks or warping, especially those that still have the original rivet finish. If you find a butter barrette that feels slightly sticky or has a greenish tint, it may be a later repro or a different material altogether.

How to Wear and Style the Butter Arizona Bow Barrette Today

This barrette was designed for a tidy half‑up style, anchoring a small section of hair at the back of the head. For a modern look, try it as a side accent on a low ponytail, or use it to pin back a French twist. The butter colour works beautifully with navy, burgundy, and forest green – classic British autumn shades. It also pairs well with a silk scarf or a velvet headband. Because the barrette is small, it does not overpower a bold lip or a statement earring. For a more casual day, let it hold a loosely twisted bun at the nape of the neck. The key is to keep the hair texture soft – the butter colour looks best against a matte finish, not highly glossy product.

Building a Collection of Arizona Bow Barrettes

If you are new to collecting vintage hair clips, the Arizona bow barrette in butter is an excellent starting point. It is not as rare as some other colours (like the lilac or coral), but its quiet elegance makes it a staple. Many collectors aim to acquire one in each of the four main colourways: butter, black, tortoiseshell, and clear. The butter is the most versatile, and it often appears in job lots with other vintage accessories. When you see one at a vintage fair, inspect the clip first: open and close it a few times to ensure the spring still has tension. A loose spring can be repaired by a jeweller, but it is easier to buy a piece that is already functional. For a deeper dive into building a purposeful archive, the article The Art of the Collection: Building a Vintage Hair Clip Archive with Purpose offers a practical framework for curating your finds.

Where to Find the Butter Arizona Barrette in the UK

British vintage dealers often list these barrettes as "1950s bow clip" or "retro hair barrette", rarely mentioning the Arizona name. The best places to look are:

• Vintage fairs – especially those in the Home Counties, where American imports were sold in department stores.
• Etsy and eBay UK – search for "vintage bow barrette butter" or "cream celluloid hair clip".
• Charity shops in affluent areas – sometimes the original owner’s collection is donated whole.
• Carboot sales – early morning is best, when dealers are still setting up.

When you find one, check the colour in natural light. The butter shade can look almost white in a dim room, but under daylight it reveals a warm, honeyed glow. That is a sign of good‑quality acetate that has not yellowed unevenly.

Caring for Your Vintage Butter Barrette

Cellulose acetate is sensitive to heat and moisture. Never leave the barrette in a hot car or near a radiator. To clean it, use a soft, dry cloth or a very slightly damp microfibre cloth. Avoid alcohol‑based cleaners, as they can strip the surface. If the metal clip shows signs of rust, a tiny dab of sewing machine oil on a cotton bud can be applied to the hinge, but be careful not to get oil on the acetate. Store the barrette in a dry, dark box, away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can cause the butter colour to bleach to a pale yellow‑white, losing its original depth. Some collectors wrap each piece in acid‑free tissue paper. For long‑term storage, consider a jewellery roll with individual compartments.

The Butter Barrette in the Context of British Vintage Style

British vintage enthusiasts often gravitate towards accessories that tell a story of transatlantic cross‑pollination. The Arizona bow barrette is a perfect example: it is an American design that found a receptive audience in post‑war Britain, when women were eager for new, playful hair accessories. The butter colour, with its soft, feminine feel, became a staple of the 1959–1962 period, often seen in photographs of young women at the seaside or at village dances. Today, wearing one is a quiet nod to that era. It is not a flashy piece, but it rewards the attentive eye. Paired with a simple cashmere jumper or a crisp white blouse, it adds a layer of history that is both personal and stylish.

One final practical note: if you are planning to sell or trade the barrette, always photograph it against a neutral background with a ruler for scale. The butter colour can be tricky to capture on camera – it often comes out as white or cream. A small piece of yellow card next to the barrette in the photo helps buyers see the true hue. That attention to detail is what separates a casual seller from a thoughtful collector.