Friendship Bracelets Are Out. Vintage Duette Clips Are In.
Two clips is better than one. Discover the vintage accessory making its comeback.
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Material Pursuit is a monthly column dedicated to the dos and don'ts of vintage shopping, the secrets of finding the right size, and the history behind uncovered vintage gems.
I’ve only had one friendship bracelet in my life. It was one of those cheap-o plastic heart necklaces that split down the middle with a jagged crack. On the front of it, the words “BEST FRIEND” were printed in white lettering. I wore the “ST END” half wrapped around my 10 year old wrist for every single day of our short-lived best friendship.
Following a blow up fight we had while on a trip to watch Happy Feet in theaters, my former best friend tossed her “BE FRI” half at my feet in a fit of rage. Since that moment, I have not even considered purchasing another friendship trinket.
That was until I heard about this month’s theme: Buddy System. I immediately started thinking about my current best friend, Miss Willow and our distinct lack of matching friendship paraphernalia. We’ve been best friends for a decade now. We share lots of things: clothes, shoes, nail polish– but we have never shared a matching friendship trinket. I had to change that, but I didn’t want to go for the expected, woven friendship bracelet or heart necklace. I wanted something a little more glamorous.
Which brought me to Duette Clips! Duette Clips first appeared in the 1930s, ballooned in popularity in the 1940s, then fizzled out in the 50s– they’re basically just brooches that split into two little clips. They’re very versatile accessories. People would wear them on blouses, fur coats, hats or as shoe clips.
They’re just a fun bit of flair– and perfect for a friendship scenario because they split into two identical parts. So, you know what I had to do: I zoomed over to Etsy and started searching.
I compiled a list of a few of my favorite Duette Clips for all you Vintage Loving BFFs out there. Let me know what you think!
1. The Art Deco Clip
This Art Deco Ciro Duette Clip is a classic. Most clips you’ll find online will look exactly like this: clear stones with a silver backing formed into a vaguely geometric, ribbony shape. I love this style because it’s so versatile. The design is simple and elegant. It will go with any outfit.
2. The Paul Sargent Pearl Clip
Now this Paul Sargent Pearl Duette Clip I LOVE. The tone of these pearls mixed with the tarnished metal reminds me so much of the brand Mudd Pearl– albeit a little less organically shaped. (Yasmin and Mary if you’re listening– we’d love a line of Mudd Pearl Duette clips!!)
3. The Red Jewlel Coro Clip
This Red Jewel Coro Duette Clip is my favorite. I seriously considered leaving it out of the list and buying it for myself. I love the punch of red and the angular design. When separated into the two parts, you could wear it with the ribboned point facing downwards– looking almost like a military medal for your valiant service in the Glamour Wars.
4. The Purple + Green One
This Purple and Green Art Deco Duette Clip looks like a little bushel of grapes. I think it is so sweet and delicate. This is the perfect clip to affix to a feathered hat or on the lapel of a houndstooth blazer. It’s fun and bright and perfect for those who aren’t afraid of a little color.
5. The Corocraft Clip
This 1930s Corocraft Duette Clip is for all the Lana Del Rey-pilled, cherry girls out there. Imagine this clipped to the breast of a white cotton sundress or a little denim jacket? How sweet!
6. A Teal Number
I love this Teal Art Deco Geometric Duette Clip. It’s almost fleur de lis shape, the delicate pop of color with the teal stones– this is a Woman’s Duette Clip. A classy, expensive looking brooch for a pair of elegant best friends.