Ever since the bra strap made its way out from under an actual top into a more respectable light, I suppose the humble bobby pin could not be far behind. That little wave clip used to discreetly hold hair in place is out, loud and proud. But "bobby pin" brings to mind the bottom of my grandmother's purse, littered with bits of tobacco and crumpled up tissues dotted with Revlon lipstick. It's not the image I want for myself.
Kirby grips. Now that is a term I can live with. Strut into any Boots Pharmacy in London (their version of our beloved Walgreens) and ask for bobby pins. Prepare to be looked at with all the same familiarity as a guy walking into Nordstom's lingerie department and asking for a demi-bra to wear under a Temperley gown. Now ask for Kirby (same dude who invented the vacuum) grips and you're the very same guy standing at a urinal in Cardinals stadium. It's all about context and this girl's context has a British affectation when it comes to hair.
Cacharel, Fall 2012, with their candy-colored pins stacked in fours and fives. Playful, not dumb. Fresh but not Libbylu. Love this look with an exaggerated cable knit sweater in dove grey and Rick Owens angora jersey leggings, Isabel Marant 'Jenny' boots in dusty black. And that's only one day. I can use them in a low chignon, one to hold the bangs back on drizzle days, even yanking back the neckline on a very thin sweater for an asymmetric twist on the usual crewneck. So so many things to do with a kirby grip. A bobby pin. Oh, you know what I mean. Some also call them roller pins and they're bigger than your average pin, measuring in at an Amazonian 3 inches.
Availale in colors at janetran.com or for the more staid among us at Sally Beauty Supply stores around town (in brown and black). For less than $4, I would say that was one fine impulse buy.
