The Vintage Strawberry Hair Claw: A Sweet Slice of British Fashion History

The strawberry hair claw is a small, sculptural piece of British fashion history, not just a novelty. Unlike the ubiquitous tortoiseshell or jet-black claw, the strawberry version announces itself with a precise shade of crimson—neither the orangey red of a poppy nor the blue-red of a cherry, but the warm, seeded red of a ripe British strawberry. That particular hue, often achieved through layered cellulose acetate or hand-painted celluloid, was a hallmark of mid-century accessory makers who understood that a single fruit motif could transform an everyday hair clip into a cheerful statement.

These claws were produced in small runs by British haberdashery manufacturers from the 1950s through the 1970s, a period when fruit and floral motifs dominated women’s accessories. The strawberry, in particular, carried a quiet symbolism—it was associated with summer, abundance, and a kind of unpretentious sweetness that contrasted with the more formal pearl-and-cameo traditions of earlier decades. Today, a genuine vintage strawberry hair claw is a sought-after find, not only for its nostalgic charm but for the quality of its materials and the care taken in its design.

A Brief History of the Strawberry Motif in British Hair Accessories

Fruit motifs in hair accessories date back to the Victorian era, when real berries were sometimes woven into elaborate hairstyles for garden parties. By the 1920s, Art Deco designers had stylised fruit into geometric forms, but it was the post-war period that truly embraced literal fruit shapes in affordable, everyday accessories. The strawberry claw emerged as a favourite because its simple silhouette—a rounded body with a pointed tip and a small green calyx (the leafy top)—translated beautifully into moulded plastic or resin.

British manufacturers such as M. & S. Accessories (a small London-based firm active from the 1940s to the 1970s) and several unmarked workshops in the Midlands produced these claws in batches. They were sold in department store haberdashery counters, often alongside matching strawberry brooches or earrings. The claw mechanism itself was typically a spring-loaded metal clip encased in the plastic body, a design that has proven remarkably durable when stored properly.

The strawberry motif enjoyed a revival in the 1980s, when the claw clip became a mainstream hair tool thanks to its ability to hold thick, permed hair. Many of the 1980s strawberry claws were made from brightly coloured injected plastic and lacked the subtle colour graduation of their predecessors. Collectors today prize the earlier, more nuanced examples—those with a slightly translucent body and hand-painted or inlaid seeds.

Materials and Craftsmanship

Understanding the materials helps you distinguish a true vintage strawberry claw from a modern reproduction. The finest vintage examples are made from cellulose acetate, a plant-based plastic that was widely used in British accessory manufacturing until the 1970s. Cellulose acetate has a warm, almost organic feel; it polishes to a gentle sheen and can be layered to create depth of colour. A vintage strawberry claw in this material will show a subtle gradation from deep red at the tip to a lighter pink near the hinge, mimicking the natural ripening of the fruit.

Another material to look for is casein, a milk-protein plastic that was popular in the 1930s–1950s. Casein claws are harder and less common, but they take dye beautifully and can retain a vibrant red for decades if kept away from direct sunlight. The seeds on a casein strawberry are often painted by hand with a fine brush, and the green calyx is a separate piece of painted metal or plastic, attached with a tiny rivet.

Later examples from the 1980s used polystyrene or acrylic, which are lighter and more brittle. These are still collectable if the design is charming, but they lack the durability and tactile quality of the earlier materials. When you hold a cellulose acetate strawberry claw, it should feel substantial but not heavy, and the surface should be smooth with no sharp mould lines.

How to Wear a Vintage Strawberry Hair Claw Today

The beauty of a strawberry claw is its ability to inject a playful, unexpected note into a modern wardrobe without looking costumey. The key is to let the accessory be the focal point. Here are a few ways to incorporate it:

• With a crisp white shirt and jeans. The simplicity of the outfit allows the red of the strawberry to pop. Choose a claw that sits at the nape of the neck for a relaxed, effortless feel.
• As a centrepiece in a half-up style. Gather the top section of your hair and secure it with the claw. This works especially well with waves or a gentle curl, as the texture softens the bold colour.
• Paired with other vintage fruit clips. If you have a small collection—a cherry barrette or a lemon slide—cluster two or three clips on one side of the head. This ‘fruit basket’ look was popular in the 1960s and feels fresh again.
• To add contrast to a floral dress. A strawberry claw can echo a red flower in the print or provide a contrasting warm note against blues and greens.
• In a sleek low bun. For evening, twist your hair into a low chignon and slide the strawberry claw over the knot. The glossy red catches the light beautifully.

If you prefer a more understated approach, consider a strawberry claw in a muted red or a smaller size. The Margeaux Hair Claw in Toffee offers a warm brown that pairs well with the strawberry’s red if you want to layer two claws for a richer tonal effect.

Caring for Your Strawberry Claw

Vintage plastic requires gentle handling. Cellulose acetate can warp or develop a white bloom (called ‘celluloid disease’) if exposed to high humidity or extreme temperature changes. Follow these care steps:

• Store flat in a dry, dark place. A lined jewellery box or a fabric pouch is ideal. Avoid leaving the claw in a bathroom cabinet where steam can degrade the plastic.
• Never soak in water. If the claw needs cleaning, wipe it with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry immediately. Submerging can loosen the metal spring or cause the plastic to swell.
• Keep away from direct sunlight. Ultraviolet light fades the red pigment over time. Display your claw in a drawer or a box, not on a sunny windowsill.
• Check the spring regularly. If the claw feels stiff or won’t close properly, apply a tiny drop of sewing machine oil to the hinge. Open and close it a few times to distribute the oil, then wipe away any excess.

A well-cared-for vintage strawberry claw can last for decades more. The same cannot be said for modern fast-fashion versions, which often use glued-on decorations that fall off within a year. That is why seeking out the real thing—or a high-quality vintage-inspired piece like the Imogen Silky Bow Barrette in Red, which shares the same bold colour sensibility—is a choice that aligns with conscious fashion: you buy once and cherish for years.

One final, practical note: if you are lucky enough to find a strawberry claw with its original green leaf still intact and bright, store it separately from the claw itself. The leaf is often painted metal or a different plastic that can transfer colour to the red body over time. A small piece of acid-free tissue placed between the leaf and the fruit will keep both in pristine condition.