How to Wear a Claw Clip: 6 Easy Hairstyles for Fall

Some pieces earn their place quietly. A good claw clip is one of them. It holds a twist in under a minute, keeps hair off a sweater collar, and makes a simple outfit look considered.

Here's how to choose the right size, six ways to wear one this fall, and the hair accessories for women that make easy gifts. Every piece below lives in the Hair collection.

How do you wear a claw clip?

Twist your hair upward from the nape of your neck, fold the twist flat against the back of your head, and close the clip over the base with the teeth facing down. Leave the ends loose for a softer shape or tuck them under for a neater one. It takes less than a minute.

What size claw clip do I need?

Match the clip to the amount of hair it has to hold. Tiny and small clips suit fine hair, half-up styles and front pieces. Medium clips fit shoulder-length or medium-thickness hair, and large clips are made for long or thick hair worn fully up.

• Tiny: the Classic Spring Splash Tiny Claw Clip, $8.99, for front pieces and short hair
• Small: the Blonde Tortoise Small Flat Square Hair Clip, $10.99, for half-up styles and fine hair
• Medium: the Jet Black Medium Flat Square Hair Clip, $12.99, the everyday size for most women
• Large: the Tortoise Large Flat Square Hair Clip, $14.99, for thick or long hair

Square, rectangle or round: which claw clip shape is best?

Square clips grip the most hair and are the most versatile. Rectangle clips sit longer and slimmer, which suits a vertical French twist. Round clips read softer and look best on a low twist or bun.

If you're choosing one shape to start, go square. For a second clip, the Almond Beige Medium Flat Rectangle Hair Clip handles the sleek styles, and the Coconut White Large Flat Round Hair Clip is the softest option in the collection. The flat styles have a lower profile than a classic claw, so they sit closer to the head.

6 claw clip hairstyles for fall

1. How do you do a classic claw clip twist?

Gather all of your hair at the nape, twist it up toward the crown, and clip across the base of the twist. Let the ends fan out over the top of the clip. This is the style most people mean when they say "claw clip hair."

It looks cleanest with a high neckline. Wear it with the Plaid About You Mock Neck in Hunter Green and the Cozy Plaid Sherpa Lined Shacket in Coffee. The two together come to $77.98, which clears the $75 mark for free shipping. For more ways to wear the shacket, see How to Style a Shacket for Fall.

2. How do you wear a claw clip half-up?

Take the top section of hair from temple to temple, twist it once, and clip it at the crown. Leave the rest down. A small clip is all you need here, since it only holds a third of your hair.

A half-up style pairs naturally with casual dresses for women, because it keeps hair out of your face without feeling done. Try it with the Patch Things Up Mini Dress and the Blonde Tortoise Small Flat Square Hair Clip. More easy dresses are in Dresses.

3. How do you wear a claw clip with a hoodie?

Clip your hair high, at or just above the crown, so the clip clears the hood when it falls back. A low clip presses into the hood and gets uncomfortable fast.

The Preppy and Relaxed Knit Pullover, a striped hooded sweater, is the right test. A large tortoise clip worn high balances its oversized shape.

4. Can you wear a claw clip with short hair?

Yes. With short or chin-length hair, use a tiny or small clip to pin back the sides or the front section instead of trying to hold everything. Twist a small section away from your face and clip it just behind the ear.

The Classic Spring Splash Tiny Claw Clip is made for this. Wear two, one on each side, for a slightly more styled look.

5. How do you make a claw clip look polished for dinner?

Smooth your hair back before twisting, keep the twist tight and low, and tuck the ends under the clip. A solid neutral clip in black or almond looks more finished than a pattern.

Pair a sleek low twist with the Date Night Leopard Blouse and the Jet Black Medium Flat Square Hair Clip. For full outfits built around an evening out, see Fall Date-Night Outfit Ideas.

6. What is the easiest claw clip style for a busy morning?

Twist your hair loosely, clip it at the back of the head, and pull a few pieces loose around your face. It should look a little undone. That's the point.

This is the weekend version, and it works with anything cozy. Try it with the Stripes and Spice Pullover or the Rose Garden Floral Sweatshirt, both new this week in New Arrivals.

What hair accessories should every woman own?

A small, well-chosen hair kit covers almost every day: one medium claw clip in a neutral, one large clip for thick-hair or wash days, a silk scrunchie, and a set of soft hair ties. That's enough to move from a workday twist to a weekend ponytail without thinking about it.

Round out the clips with the Blue My Mind Small Silk Scrunchies, $19.99, and the Blue Lagoon Mix Pack Hair Ties, $14.99. Silk glides rather than grips, so a scrunchie is the gentler choice for a loose overnight bun.

Are claw clips a good gift for her?

Claw clips are one of the easiest gifts for her, because there's no sizing to guess and they suit almost every hair type and style. Pick the size by her hair length, choose a neutral like tortoise or black, and pair it with a silk scrunchie for a small, thoughtful bundle.

A few pairings at $25 and under:

• Tortoise Large Flat Square Hair Clip with the Spring Splash Small Hair Ties, $22.98 for both
• Coconut White Medium Flat Round Hair Clip with the Classic Spring Splash Tiny Claw Clip, $21.98 for both
• A Cashmere Blue gift card, starting at $25, so she can choose her own

For bigger gifts by price, see The Affordable Gift Guide for Her.

Claw clip FAQ

Are claw clips bad for your hair? Claw clips are generally easier on hair than tight elastics, because they spread their hold across a wider area instead of pulling at one point. Avoid clipping the same spot every day, and take the clip out before you sleep.

How do you keep a claw clip from slipping in fine hair? Size down to a small or medium clip, and add a little texture spray or dry shampoo before twisting. Clip at the base of the twist, where the hair is thickest, rather than over the ends.

What size claw clip is best for thick hair? A large claw clip is best for thick or long hair worn fully up. Square shapes hold the most hair. If a large clip still pops open, try a half-up style or split the hair into two smaller twists.

What color claw clip goes with everything? Tortoise, black and almond beige work with nearly every hair color and outfit. Tortoise is the most forgiving if you're choosing only one.

What is the difference between a claw clip and a scrunchie? A claw clip holds a twist or updo without wrapping the hair, so it's quick to take in and out and leaves no crease. A scrunchie holds a ponytail or bun and is softer to sleep in. Most women use both.

Can you wear a claw clip to work? Yes. A sleek, low twist in a solid neutral clip reads polished enough for most offices. Keep patterned or bright clips for weekends.

Read next

Building fall outfits around your new hair kit? Start with How to Style a Shacket for Fall, or browse every clip, scrunchie and tie in Hair.