Guide to Fasteners

Our most asked questions are about fasteners, so let's walk through the options. All fasteners are tested at multiple points throughout the made-to-order process, but should you have a recurring problem with your fastener, please let me know.

French Barrettes

I prefer the large size myself, but if you have thin hair, you can choose the medium size or alligator clip. If you are really particular about the style of barrette you wear, please inquire more before purchasing as bows are made-to-order. 

Styling Recommendation:

It is unlikely that any of our barrettes will hold all your hair, especially if you have a lot of hair, even thin hair. Please supplement with elastics and bobby pins to secure hair in the way you like. Barrettes are ideal for half-up-half-down hairstyles. You can also style them at the ends of a braid, covering a ponytail elastic, or clipped into an updo.

Spring French Barrette

I’ve used these since I began bow making, only recently upgrading to the Modern French Barrette for most other bows. It has two ways for me to affix it to the bow, so it’s strong and has a good hold on the product. There is a small insert (the spring!) that can come out if you open the fastener too wide. There are little notches that it can pop back into if this happens. 

All small barrettes come in this style. I have not found a Modern French Barrette small enough to replace the Spring French Barrette in the small size. A small size barrette is also not requested very often, and is only recommended for children with very thin, fine hair.

In certain bows I must use the Spring French Barrette because of how the bow is constructed. The Spring French Barrette is better for bows that have a lot of bulk in their ribbons and centers. 

The gold fastener does not spring as much silver. This is not a defect, just the style of metal. I choose gold or silver depending on the color of the product, but if you have a preference, make it known in the notes before checking out. Only the gold is nickel free.

Sizes and Specifications:

Small: 2'' wide - recommended for very thin, fine hair, like on a child.

Medium: 2 3/8" wide - recommended for thin hair.

Large: 3" wide - recommended for medium to thick hair. 

Modern French Barrette

Made with a higher quality metal than the Spring French Barrette. It still has two ways for me to affix it to the bow, so there is no loss of strength or quality of hold. It evenly distributes the hair, because it doesn't have the removable spring insert. Comes in sizes medium and large. You’ll see these the most often in our listing descriptions, since they work for most bow styles.

I’ve been using these predominantly since late 2021. Before rolling these out, I rigorously tested them, had friends and family, and a number of willing customers try them out and give us their feedback. The consensus was that the Modern French Barrette was preferred over the Spring French Barrette. Thousands of bows and barrettes later and we have yet to hear a complaint about this style.

I do not have this style in a small barrette size. I have not found a Modern French Barrette small enough to replace the Spring French Barrette in the small size. A small size barrette is also not requested very often, and I mostly recommended it for children with very thin, fine hair.

Zinc Alloy. I choose gold or silver depending on the color of the bow, but if you have a preference, make it known in the notes before checking out. Only the gold is nickel free.

Sizes and Specifications:

Medium: 2 1/2" wide - recommended for fine or thin hair.

Large: 3 3/8" wide - recommended for medium to thick hair.

Alligator Clips

Our most popular fastener, and the one I recommend the most, because of its ease of use and versatility.

I use the Medium Alligator Clips on oversized bows and bows with bulky ribbons and centers. Some ribbons are too narrow to conceal the Medium Alligator Clip, so we can only offer a Small Alligator Clip in those instances. Most styles support a Small Alligator Clip.

I choose gold or silver depending on the color of the bow, but if you have a preference, make it known in the notes before checking out.

Styling Recommendation:

Clip into any hairdo. Style front pieces of hair back, wear in a half pony with the additional use of an elastic, on the end of a braid, and clip onto some shirts as neckwear. The possibilities are endless! 

It is unlikely that any alligator clip will hold all your hair. You can still make the Small Alligator Clip work, even if you have thick hair, with the additional use of elastics/bobby pins.

Sizes and Specifications:

Small: 1 7/8'' wide - recommended for someone with thin, fine hair.

Medium: 2 3/8'' wide - recommended for thin to medium hair. 

Brooch Pins

This fastener turns any bow into a fashion accessory, no longer reserved for just hair. I reserve the gold for products with gold detailing, like the Luxe Link Bows so the metals match. All other bows will get the silver. 

Iron Alloy.

Styling Recommendation:

My personal go-to, is using it as Neckwear to elevate a blouse or simple button-up. Wear like a traditional brooch on a jacket lapel, as a cute closure for a cardigan, or transform a purse or dress strap. 

Sizes and Specifications:

1 1/2'' wide - Silver modern safety rolling catch brooch pin.

1 3/8" wide - Gold modern safety rolling catch brooch pin.

Hair Ties

Name brand, damage free hair tie elastics in black. Brown/Blonde and larger sizes available upon request, just put it in the notes.

Sizes and Specifications:

Standard: 2'' diameter - recommended for fine to thin hair. When new, the maximum stretch is 6 inches.