The Wicker Basket Hair Clip: A Vintage Reedbag Ornament
At any vintage fair in the Cotswolds, you will find tiny handwoven baskets the size of a walnut, each with a metal clip on the back and a miniature handle. That is the Store P95 summer wicker bag basket—a hair ornament from mid-20th-century Britain that mirrors a traditional market basket. Listed in old catalogues as a reedbag or reedbasket, it combines cottagecore charm with the practicality of a hair clip. Unlike straw boaters or oversized hats, this accessory is a miniature basket woven from natural fibres, pinned into the hair as a decorative statement. The name comes from the inventory code P95, used by British milliners and accessory makers in the 1950s and 1960s to catalogue seasonal items. It is not a bag at all—it is a hair clip shaped like a tiny market basket, complete with a handle and open weave. Understanding its origins, materials, and how to wear it today can turn a curious flea-market find into a treasured part of your vintage collection.
Wicker in the Hair: A Brief History of the Basket Clip
The fashion for straw and wicker hair accessories in Britain reached its peak during the 1950s and 1960s, when outdoor summer events, garden parties, and seaside holidays inspired a demand for lightweight, natural-looking ornaments. Milliners experimented with raffia, seagrass, and reed to create scultural shapes that echoed the era’s love for texture and craft. The basket clip, specifically, emerged from the tradition of plaiting—a rural technique used for centuries in Somerset and East Anglia to make hats and baskets. By the 1950s, commercial producers began miniaturising these baskets, attaching metal hair combs or alligator clips to the back. The Store P95 code appears in several British wholesale catalogues from the 1960s, often grouped with other “novelty hair items” such as fruit-shaped barrettes and floral sprays. These pieces were sold in department stores like Liberty and John Lewis, as well as independent seaside boutiques, and were usually priced at a few shillings. The basket clip was never a mainstream staple, which makes it a delightfully rare find for collectors who appreciate the quirkier side of vintage fashion.
Materials and Techniques: What Makes a Reedbag Hair Clip
Authentic vintage wicker basket hair clips were made from natural materials that have aged beautifully over the decades. The most common is reed (often from Phragmites australis), which is lightweight, flexible, and takes a warm golden-brown hue as it dries. Some pieces used rattan or seagrass, which offer a coarser texture and a slightly darker colour. The weaving technique is usually a simple over-under pattern, sometimes with a border of twisted cane to reinforce the rim. A tiny handle, about two to three centimetres tall, is attached at the top, made from the same material or from a thin strip of leather or metal. The back of the basket is flat, with a metal hair clip (often a spring-loaded snap clip or a slide-on comb) sewn or glued onto the woven base. Quality varies: well-made examples have even stitching and a secure clip that does not pull the hair. Later reproductions from the 1970s sometimes used plastic-coated wire instead of natural reed, but a true vintage piece will feel dry and slightly rough to the touch, with a faint hay-like scent. If you are examining a potential purchase, check the clip for markings—some British makers stamped “P95” or “Made in England” on the metal.
Identifying Authentic Pieces
- Weight: Genuine reed baskets are very light, especially when empty. A heavy clip suggests a metal or resin base, which is a later repro.
- Weave: Look for unevenness in the weaving—a sign of handcrafting. Machine-made baskets have perfectly uniform gaps.
- Clip type: Vintage clips are usually nickel-plated steel with a slight patina. Modern clips have a shiny, uniform coating.
- Odour: A faint grass or hay smell is normal. A chemical smell indicates synthetic materials.
Pairing the Wicker Basket Clip with a Modern Wardrobe
The beauty of the Store P95 reedbag hair clip lies in its ability to bring a touch of whimsy to an otherwise serious outfit. Women in the 1960s often wore it at the nape of the neck, securing a low chignon or a side-swept ponytail, letting the basket dangle like a tiny charm. Today, you can wear it in several ways:
- As a focal point: Pin it at the crown of a loose bun for a summer picnic or a garden party. The natural weave complements linen dresses, cotton smocks, and straw hats.
- Mixed with other accessories: Combine it with a simple silk scarf tied around the ponytail, or with a vintage oversized straw hat for a layered, tactile look. The contrast between the broad brim and the tiny basket creates a playful silhouette.
- In everyday wear: Clip it onto a messy half-up style with jeans and a white blouse. The basket adds a rustic, almost bohemian accent without being overpowering.
Because the basket is small, it works best on medium to thick hair. For fine hair, add a few bobby pins around the clip to keep it secure. Avoid using it in very windy conditions—the basket can act like a tiny sail and pull the clip loose.
Caring for Your Vintage Reed Basket Clip
Natural fibres are delicate, especially after decades of storage. To keep your P95 basket in good condition, follow these guidelines:
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Store in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight | Don’t expose to moisture or steam (e.g., bathroom) |
| Gently dust with a soft brush or compressed air | Don’t soak or wash the basket |
| If the fibres become brittle, lightly mist with distilled water and let air dry | Don’t use oils or conditioners—they can darken the reed |
| Check the metal clip for rust; if present, treat with a tiny drop of sewing machine oil on the hinge | Don’t force the clip if it sticks—use plier gently to loosen |
If the basket has lost its shape, you can gently reshape it with your fingers while it is slightly damp. Lay it flat on a towel to dry. Avoid hanging it by the handle, as that can stretch the weave.
Finding the Perfect P95: A Collector’s Tip
Because the Store P95 code was used by multiple small manufacturers, there is no single “standard” design. Some baskets are round, others oval; some have a closed weave, others an open lattice. The most desirable versions have a tiny matching lid or a miniature flower tucked inside the basket. When hunting at vintage fairs or online, search for terms like “miniature wicker hair clip”, “reed basket hair ornament”, or “1960s novelty hair accessory”. The item is often mislabelled as a doll’s basket or a brooch, so look closely at the back for a clip. Prices range from £5 to £25 depending on condition and rarity. A perfectly preserved piece with the original clip and no broken fibres is a true gem. Look for a tiny stamp on the clip that reads “P95” or “Made in England”—that imprint is your best guarantee of an authentic 1960s piece. The P95 basket is small, but its handwoven reed and metal clip capture a slice of British summer: made by hand, meant to be worn with joy, and still waiting to be rediscovered at the next car boot sale.