The Blue Millie Hair Claw P595: A Rare British Vintage Find

You come across a Millie hair claw in blue — the one catalogued as Store P595 — and you're holding a small piece of British hair accessory history that rarely surfaces on the secondary market. Most people dismiss claw clips as a late‑20th-century invention, but the Millie design traces its lineage to earlier spring‑loaded mechanisms refined in the 1950s for securing heavy updos. What makes the P595 particularly intriguing is its colour: a deep, almost iridescent blue that shifts between cobalt and navy depending on the light. This is not a mass‑produced piece; it belongs to a limited run that used a special batch of acetate with subtle marbling, a technique that imitates the look of mid‑century celluloid without its flammability.

The claw measures about three inches across — small enough for a half‑up style but generous enough to hold a full twist of medium‑thickness hair. Its five teeth are evenly spaced and gently curved, a hallmark of the Millie line that ensures grip without pulling. The spring mechanism is housed in a metal core coated to prevent rust; on well‑preserved examples, the hinge still snaps shut with a satisfying click. If you are comparing the P595 to other vintage claws, note that the blue is not a solid enamel but a transparent layer over a white core, giving it the depth of a gemstone.

Design and Materials of the P595 Millie

The Millie claw was produced in the late 1970s and early 1980s, a period when British hair accessories were transitioning from rigidly formal styles to more playful, everyday pieces. The designer — believed to be part of a small workshop in the English Midlands — favoured acetate over resin because of its lighter weight and ability to be polished to a high gloss. The blue variant uses a custom colour code that was abandoned after only one production run, partly because the dye proved difficult to stabilise. Early buyers noticed that the colour would fade if left in direct sunlight for weeks, but surviving examples stored away from UV light retain a vibrant hue.

The claw’s finish is smooth and slightly translucent, with occasional wisps of darker blue that look almost like feather strokes. Close inspection under a jeweller’s loupe may reveal tiny air bubbles trapped during the casting process — a sign of handmade production rather than a defect. The metal hinge is marked with a tiny “M” stamped on the underside, a detail that helps authenticate genuine Millie pieces against later knock‑offs. Unlike the more common black or tortoiseshell claws, the blue version was never widely advertised; it appeared in a single catalogue supplement in 1981 and then slipped into obscurity.

Styling the Millie Claw with a Modern Wardrobe

The challenge of wearing a vintage blue claw is making it feel contemporary rather than costume. Because the colour is so distinctive, it works best as an accent against neutral tones — cream, grey, navy, or denim. For a relaxed weekend look, try a low twist at the nape of the neck, letting a few face‑framing strands fall loose. The claw’s small profile means it doesn’t overwhelm fine hair, while women with thicker tresses should use it as a top layer secure over a coiled base. If you want to echo the 1980s styling that originally accompanied the Millie, pair it with a soft velvet blazer or a draped silk blouse — items that share the claw’s subtle lustre.

For readers who also collect other vintage pieces, the blue Millie complements the restrained elegance of the Darcy Barrette: A Mid-Century British Hair Accessory Worth Collecting — both are small, understated accessories that allow the wearer to build a coherent vintage‑inspired look without going full retro. You might also consider the P280 Imogen Bow Barrette for a contrasting shape: the sharp geometry of the bow versus the organic curve of the claw creates interesting tension when worn on opposite sides of the head.

Care and Preservation of the P595

Acetate is sensitive to heat and chemical solvents, so the first rule of caring for a Millie claw is to keep it away from hairspray, perfumes, and hot styling tools. If the claw becomes dusty, wipe it with a dry microfibre cloth; for stubborn residue, use a barely damp cloth with a drop of mild soap, then dry immediately. Never soak the claw — water can seep into the hinge and corrode the spring. Store it in a soft pouch or a lined jewellery box, ideally away from other accessories that could scratch the surface.

If the claw loses its shine over time, a very light buffing with a jewellery polishing cloth (designed for delicate plastics) can restore the gloss. Be mindful of the metal hinge — if the grip becomes loose, a jeweller can often tighten it by gently compressing the metal tabs, but this is a job for an experienced restorer who understands vintage hair accessories. The following maintenance points are worth remembering:

• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight — the blue dye can fade unevenly.
• Do not bend the teeth — acetate becomes brittle with age and will snap.
• Check the hinge periodically for stiffness; a drop of sewing machine oil on a toothpick applied to the hinge pin can keep it moving smoothly.
• Never use acetone or nail polish remover anywhere near the claw.

Identifying Authentic Examples

The P595 Millie claw is not a piece that appears at every car boot sale, so when you do find one, it is worth verifying its origin. Authentic claws have the “M” stamp on the hinge; the teeth are uniformly thick and end in rounded tips. The blue acetate should have a slight translucency — if the colour looks flat and opaque, it is likely a later reproduction. Original packaging, if preserved, is a plain cardboard box with a tissue‑paper lining and the code “P595” handwritten in pencil on the label. The box itself is often yellowed, which is a normal sign of age.

Price can vary widely depending on condition. A claw with a perfect spring, no cracks, and minimal colour shift might sell for £30–£50 in specialist vintage circles. Pieces with a faded hinge or a chipped tooth are still collectable but are better suited for display than regular wear. Because the blue Millie is rare, it has been known to attract collectors who focus on colour‑specific runs, so it pays to act quickly if you see one listed.

For those who want to understand how the Millie fits into the broader story of British hair accessories, it helps to look at the evolution of the automatic claw clip. Early patents from the 1950s focused on metal combs with sliding sleeves; the plastic‑jawed claw we know today emerged in the 1970s as injection‑moulding improved. The Millie design is a transitional piece — it uses modern materials but retains the hand‑finished quality of an earlier era. That hybrid character is what makes it so appealing to collectors who value both history and wearability.

Whether you are adding the P595 to a curated collection or simply looking for a singular accent to brighten your everyday style, the blue Millie claw is a worthy find. Its rarity demands a bit of care, but the reward is a hair accessory that feels both personal and connected to a small, vanished chapter of British manufacturing. Inspect the hinge, verify the stamp, and keep it out of the sun — and this blue beauty will hold your hair with quiet confidence for years to come.