The Store P224: A Vintage Velvet Crown Headband

A Closer Look at the Store P224

The Store P224 velvet crown headband has a quiet reputation among British hair accessories. Most velvet headbands are just padded rolls, but this one has a structured crown – a rigid, gently arched frame wrapped in plush velvet, sitting on your head like a small tiara. The velvet is a deep, almost black burgundy, with a pile that catches the light – feels like silk or a very fine rayon blend. The band is exactly 2.5 cm wide, and the crown rises 4 cm at its highest point, tapering smoothly toward the ends. That precision is what makes the P224 different: the crown isn't just for looks; it actually holds the band in place without teeth or combs.

Origins and Era

The P224 label suggests a catalogue number from a British department store – probably Liberty, Harrods, or Selfridges – and dates to the mid-1950s. The metal wire frame inside the crown, plus the slightly stiff velvet, point to a time when millinery techniques were being adapted for off-the-shelf hair accessories. Unlike earlier Edwardian and 1920s headbands made from tortoiseshell or celluloid, the P224 is entirely fabric-covered – a clear nod to the post-war shift toward softer, more feminine shapes. It was designed for the bouffant and beehive hairstyles that ruled the late 50s and early 60s, but its understated elegance works just as well with a sleek low bun or loose waves.

Materials and Construction

Authentic P224 headbands are built from three layers: a thin, flexible steel wire bent into the crown shape; a cotton or rayon velvet covering hand-stitched over the frame; and a velvet-covered elastic or grosgrain ribbon at the ends for adjustment. The velvet is dense – about 1.5 mm of pile – and there's no visible seam along the top of the crown. That means the velvet was cut on the bias and wrapped around the frame, then sewn invisibly along the underside. Inside, the band is lined with a soft cream-coloured satin that keeps the wire from digging into your scalp. Over time, that lining may yellow or fray, but a well-preserved example stays comfortable enough to wear all day.

How to Identify an Authentic P224

Because the P224 was made for a specific store (we don't know which one exactly), there's no maker's mark. But collectors have spotted several tells:

• The crown shape – not a perfect half-circle, but slightly flattened on top with a gentle taper toward the sides.
• The velvet colour – a dark burgundy that looks almost black in low light but shows a rich wine colour in direct sun.
• The weight – the steel frame gives it a noticeable heft compared to later plastic headbands.
• The ribbon ends – about 15 cm long, with a small metal slider for adjustment, and the ribbon is the same velvet as the crown, not a different material.

If you come across a headband with a similar crown but made of polyester velvet or with a visible seam, it's probably a later reproduction. For a systematic way to identify vintage hair accessories by product, wave, and colour, our guide to collecting by product, wave, and colour gives you detailed checklists.

Styling the P224 with a Modern Wardrobe

The beauty of the P224 is how versatile it is. Unlike flashy tiaras, the velvet crown reads more like a texture than a statement, so it slips easily into contemporary outfits. Try it with a cream silk blouse and high-waisted trousers for a 1970s-inspired look, or with a simple black dress and pearl earrings for an evening out. That deep burgundy picks up autumnal tones – rust, mustard, forest green – but it also works as a neutral against black, navy, and grey. If you already own the dark blue velvet crown headband, the P224 gives you a warmer option that shifts from cool to cosy.

Care and Preservation

Velvet is delicate, and the P224's age means its fibres are more fragile than modern synthetics. Here's how to keep your headband wearable:

• Cleaning – Never submerge it in water. Use a soft, dry brush (a clean mascara wand works) to lift dust from the velvet. For stubborn spots, dab gently with a cloth slightly dampened with distilled water and a drop of mild soap, then blot dry immediately.
• Storage – Store it flat in a padded box or wrap in acid-free tissue paper. Don't hang it by the ribbon – the crown's weight can stretch the elastic over time.
• Restoration – If the velvet loses its nap, gently steam it by holding the headband a few inches above a kettle spout (keep it dry) and then brush the pile in one direction with a soft brush.
• Wear – Skip wearing it in rain or high humidity – moisture can rust the wire frame and stain the velvet.

One practical fix: if the satin lining starts peeling away from the wire, a few tiny stitches with a curved needle and silk thread can reattach it without harming the velvet. That simple repair can keep your P224 going for decades.