The Arizona Bow Barrette Lilac: A Vintage Hair Icon in Violet

If you have ever held an Arizona bow barrette in the shade known as ‘lilac’, you will know that it is neither shy nor sentimental. The colour is a cool, almost dusty violet with a faint grey undertone — the kind of tint that looks equally at home against a charcoal cashmere sweater or a crisp white cotton blouse. Unlike the buttercup yellows and baby pinks that dominate many vintage hair collections, lilac occupies a quieter register. It is a colour that whispers, but its scarcity makes it speak volumes.

The Arizona bow barrette is a distinctive shape: a wide, gently curved metal clip with a large, sculpted bow made of acetate or resin. The lilac version was produced in limited runs during the late 1980s and early 1990s, a period when British accessory houses experimented with pastel shades that bridged the bold Eighties and the muted, grunge-influenced early Nineties. The bow itself is not a floppy ribbon but a rigid, three-dimensional form — roughly 6 centimetres across — with a central knot and two symmetrical loops that sit high on the head. The clip mechanism is a strong, spring-loaded metal barrette, often finished in gold-tone or silver-tone, depending on the batch.

What makes the lilac edition particularly sought after is its colour stability. Many vintage acetate pieces from the same era have yellowed or become brittle, but the lilac Arizona bows that survive today tend to retain their original hue remarkably well, provided they have been stored away from direct sunlight. The acetate is translucent, with a subtle marbled effect when held up to light — a detail that is easy to miss in photographs but immediately apparent in person.

Dating the Lilac Arizona Bow Barrette

Collectors often ask how to distinguish an early production run from a later one. The easiest clue is the clip mechanism. Early examples (circa 1987–1990) use a stamped metal clip with a pronounced ridge along the top, and the bow is attached with two small screws visible on the underside. Later versions, from the mid-1990s, have a smoother clip with the bow glued directly onto a flat metal plate. The lilac shade itself also shifts slightly: the earliest batches are a deeper, more lavender tone, while later ones lean towards a paler, almost mauve colour. If you are buying online, ask the seller for a photo of the clip underside — that single detail can save you from a misdated piece.

The barrette was originally sold as a single item, not in a set, and it came on a small cardboard card with a clear plastic cover. The card backing was printed with the Arizona logo — a stylised desert landscape — and the words ‘Made in England’. Finding one still in its original packaging is rare, and such examples command a premium among serious collectors. For those who wear their finds, the loose barrette is far more common and equally beautiful.

Materials and Craftsmanship

The bow is made from cellulose acetate, a semi-synthetic plastic that was widely used in the mid-twentieth century for hair accessories because it is lightweight, warm to the touch, and can be polished to a high gloss. The lilac colour is achieved by adding pigment during the extrusion process, not by surface dyeing, which is why the colour does not chip or fade unevenly over time. The clip is brass or steel, plated with nickel or gold. Some examples show minor plating wear on the edges — this is normal and does not detract from the piece’s value, as long as the clip still holds firmly.

One practical detail worth noting: the acetate bow can become slightly tacky if exposed to high heat or humidity. If you live in a damp climate, store your lilac Arizona bow in a cool, dry place — a drawer lined with acid-free tissue paper works well. Never store it in a plastic bag, as trapped moisture can cloud the finish.

Styling the Lilac Arizona Bow Barrette with a Modern Wardrobe

Because lilac is a neutral with a twist, it pairs beautifully with the earthy tones that define British autumn and winter wardrobes. Try clipping it into a low side ponytail with a tweed blazer and a roll-neck jumper — the combination of rough wool and glossy acetate creates a pleasing texture contrast. For a more polished look, wear the barrette at the nape of the neck to secure a sleek chignon, and let the bow sit just above the collar of a silk blouse. The colour also works unexpectedly well with denim: a lilac bow against a faded blue jean jacket feels both nostalgic and fresh.

If you are drawn to the structured silhouettes of the 1980s, the Arizona bow barrette can also be worn to anchor a side-swept bouffant — a style that is surprisingly wearable today when kept soft and not too high. For readers who already own a butter-coloured Arizona bow, the lilac version offers a complementary alternative that is cooler in tone and more subdued. You can find a detailed guide to the butter edition in our earlier post Arizona Bow Barrette Butter: A Collector’s Guide to a Vintage Icon, which covers the same silhouette in a different colourway.

How to Choose and Care for Your Lilac Barrette

When you come across a lilac Arizona bow barrette at a vintage fair or online marketplace, check three things before buying:

• Clip tension. Open and close the clip a few times. It should snap shut with a clean, firm sound. If it feels loose or sticks, the spring may be worn — and replacing a vintage spring is tricky unless you are comfortable with small metal repairs.
• Surface condition. Run your fingertip over the bow. Any rough patches or hairline cracks indicate that the acetate has begun to degrade. Small scratches can be buffed out with a soft cloth and a drop of mineral oil, but cracks are permanent.
• Colour consistency. Hold the barrette next to a known lilac reference (a paint swatch or another vintage piece). The colour should be even across the bow, with no dark spots or cloudy areas. Cloudiness is often a sign of moisture damage.

For day-to-day care, avoid exposing the barrette to hairspray, perfume, or dry shampoo — the alcohol in these products can dull the acetate surface. Instead, apply styling products first, then clip the barrette in place. Clean it occasionally with a slightly damp, soft cloth and dry immediately. Never use abrasive cleaners or soak the barrette in water.

If the clip loses its grip over time, a jeweller can gently tighten the spring by compressing the metal hinge. This is a simple job and often costs less than a new barrette. I have had a 1989 lilac bow restored this way, and it now holds as securely as the day it was made.

Why Lilac Matters in a Vintage Collection

In the broader landscape of vintage hair accessories, the Arizona bow barrette is a recognised shape, but the lilac colourway remains underappreciated. Many collectors gravitate toward the bold primary colours or the warm neutrals, leaving the cooler pastels for those who look closer. Yet lilac has a quiet versatility that few other shades can match. It reads as both romantic and restrained, and it does not compete with patterned clothing — instead, it harmonises. For the reader who values subtlety over spectacle, the lilac Arizona bow is a piece worth seeking out. And because it was produced in smaller numbers than the pink or butter versions, it is also a smart investment for anyone building a focused vintage collection.

One final practical tip: if you find a lilac Arizona bow barrette at a carboot sale or charity shop, check the clip for a tiny engraved mark — some batches were stamped with a date code (e.g. ‘A889’ for August 1989). That code, combined with the colour and clip type, can help you pinpoint the exact year of manufacture. Knowing the date adds a layer of history to every wear.