The Store P242 Red Heart Straw Bag: A Collector’s Guide to a Rare 1960s Hair Clip
Walk into any serious vintage fair in Britain, and you will spot the same quiet excitement among collectors when a certain woven red heart appears on a stall. It is not a bag in the usual sense—the Store P242 red heart straw bag is a hair clip, handmade from natural straw and dyed a deep, lasting crimson. The piece belongs to a small batch produced in the late 1960s by a now-defunct workshop in the West Midlands, and its code, P242, was stamped on the inside of the metal spring clip that holds the straw heart in place. Understanding this accessory means looking at the materials, the making, and how it quietly complements a modern outfit.
What Exactly Is the Store P242 Red Heart Straw Bag?
The name may confuse a first-time browser. “Straw bag” here refers to the woven texture of the clip itself—the heart is formed from tightly plaited rye straw, the same material used for traditional English harvest dolls and summer bonnets. The straw is coiled into a heart shape roughly 4 cm across, then stitched onto a thin metal hair clip with a tortoiseshell finish. The red colour comes from a vegetable-based dye, which gives it a slightly uneven, mottled appearance that collectors prize as a sign of honest handwork. The clip is surprisingly sturdy: the straw is lacquered with a clear shellac-like coating that protects it from light wear and moisture.
Materials and Techniques: Why Straw?
British millinery and accessory makers have used straw for centuries, but by the 1960s synthetic materials had largely replaced natural fibres. The P242 heart is a late example of a disappearing craft. The straw was harvested from a specific variety of rye grown in the Fenlands, dried, split, and soaked in water before plaiting. The plaiting technique—a three-strand spiral—creates the heart’s raised edges and gives it a tactile, almost textile quality. The dyeing process was done in small batches using madder root, a plant-based pigment that produces a warm red with subtle purple undertones. Over time, exposure to sunlight can shift the colour toward rust, which many collectors appreciate as a natural patina.
The Spring Clip: A Practical Detail
Unlike many vintage hair accessories that rely on alligator clips or plastic prongs, the P242 uses a sprung metal barrette with a dimpled grip. The clip is stamped with the number “242” and a tiny crown—the mark of the Birmingham-based manufacturer who supplied the blank clips. This metalwork is strong enough to hold thick hair, yet the spring tension is gentle, so it does not tug or crease the hair. The tortoiseshell coating was applied by hand, and it often develops a patina that contrasts nicely with the red straw.
Historical Context: The 1960s Revival of Folk Accessories
In the late 1960s, British fashion saw a return to rustic, handmade ornaments as a counterpoint to the sleek plastics of the earlier decade. The P242 heart clip fits squarely into this “folk revival” moment. It was sold through small independent boutiques and at craft fairs, never appearing in major department stores. That limited distribution explains why so few survive today. The red heart shape itself was a deliberate nod to the “love” and “peace” symbols of the era, but rendered in a material that felt grounded in the British countryside.
For a deeper look at how colour and texture interact in vintage hair accessories of this period, the article on Ziggy Colors 1: The Vintage Hair Clip Collectors Quietly Hunt For explores a similar palette of reds and oranges used in small-batch clips from the same era.
How to Wear the P242 Red Heart Straw Bag Today
The charm of this clip lies in its versatility. Because the straw is matte and the red is not glossy, it works well with both casual and dressed-up looks. Here are a few ways to integrate it into a modern wardrobe:
- Low side bun: Twist your hair into a loose side bun and secure it with the clip placed at the top of the bun, letting the heart sit like a small brooch against the hair.
- Half-up style: Gather the crown section of your hair and clip the heart just above the ear on one side. This works especially well with wavy or textured hair. For tips on pairing clips with waves, see Products, Waves, Colours: Mastering Vintage Hair Accessories for Wavy Styles.
- As a collar accent: While the clip is designed for hair, its sturdy spring can also be used to fasten a scarf or add a decorative touch to the lapel of a blazer—a favourite trick among collectors who want to wear the piece without putting stress on the straw.
Caring for the Straw Heart
Natural straw is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air. Over time, this can cause the fibres to swell and the lacquer to crack. To keep a P242 clip in good condition:
- Store it in a dry, dark place—never in a bathroom or near a radiator. A small cotton pouch is ideal.
- If the straw feels dusty, brush it gently with a soft, dry paintbrush. Do not use water or any cleaning product; the dye and lacquer are water-sensitive.
- If the clip spring becomes loose, a jeweller can tighten the metal hinge without removing the straw. Avoid bending the clip yourself, as the straw heart is attached with glue that may crack under stress.
- Keep the clip away from perfume and hairspray. Alcohol in these products can dissolve the shellac coating and dull the red finish.
Where to Find the P242 Today
Because the run was small, the P242 red heart straw bag appears only occasionally at specialist vintage hair accessory dealers, online auctions, and estate sales in the Midlands. Prices vary widely depending on condition. A clip with intact lacquer, no loose straw, and a working spring can fetch between £30 and £60. Clips that have lost some colour or have a bent clip are still worth collecting for their decorative value, but the metal spring is nearly impossible to replace without damaging the straw, so functionality should be a priority.
A common mistake is to confuse the P242 with later plastic heart clips made in the 1970s. Look for the stamped “242” and the uneven red dye—those are the hallmarks of the genuine article. The straw will also have a faint, sweet smell from the rye, a detail that no plastic copy can replicate.
Final Practical Note
If you acquire a P242, wear it gently. The straw heart is surprisingly durable, but the lacquer is old. Avoid wearing it in rain or high humidity, and remove it before sleeping or exercising. With that care, this small red heart can remain a functional, joyful part of your hair accessory collection for decades.