What is a Jaw Clip?
Last updated 2026-06-15
Jaw clips occupy a specific niche between claw clips and barrettes in terms of both mechanism and styling outcome. While a claw clip opens its teeth from a central hinge point and gathers hair into a round bundle, a jaw clip opens along its full length — like a jaw opening — and holds hair in a longer, more linear arrangement that often follows the vertical line of the back of the head. The banana clip is the most recognized jaw clip variant. Its curved, elongated shape follows the contour of the head from nape to crown, holding hair in a cascading arrangement that fans out at the top while remaining flat and neat at the bottom. This creates a distinctive silhouette that was iconic in the 1980s, fell from fashion, and has returned in updated forms with modern materials and proportions. Jaw clips work particularly well for creating the illusion of an updo without actually pinning hair up. The hair is gathered into the clip's jaw but allowed to fan above the clip's top edge, creating length and movement while keeping the hair controlled and off the neck. This makes jaw clips a practical choice for warm weather styling where getting hair off the neck is a priority but a tight bun feels too severe. Material and finish evolution has modernized the jaw clip category. Where 1980s versions were primarily in bright plastic, contemporary versions come in matte-finish acetate, tortoiseshell resin, marble-effect materials, brushed metals, and minimalist solid colors. These updated materials shift the jaw clip from retro nostalgia to current fashion accessory. Hair density compatibility is a key consideration. Jaw clips work best with medium to thick hair that has enough volume to fill the clip's jaw without rattling loosely inside. Very fine or thin hair may not provide enough bulk for the clip to grip effectively, resulting in sliding or the clip hanging open rather than clamping shut.
Office manager Gabrielle discovered that a tortoiseshell jaw clip let her transition from morning meetings to afternoon gym sessions in seconds — she unclipped her hair from its polished jaw-clip hold, shook it into a quick ponytail, and reversed the process after showering, getting two entirely different looks from one accessory and thirty seconds of effort.
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Questions, answered.
What is the difference between a jaw clip and a claw clip?
The primary difference is the hinge orientation and resulting hair shape. A claw clip has a center hinge at the top, opening its teeth from a single point and gathering hair into a rounded, bunched shape. A jaw clip hinges along its length, opening like a mouth to accept hair and holding it in a more elongated, linear arrangement. Claw clips produce round, gathered buns. Jaw clips produce elongated, cascading holds. The choice depends on the silhouette you want — rounded and compact versus linear and flowing.
Are jaw clips the same as banana clips?
Banana clips are a specific type of jaw clip, but not all jaw clips are banana clips. A banana clip specifically has a curved, elongated shape that follows the back of the head from nape to crown, creating a cascading fan of hair at the top. Other jaw clips may be straighter, shorter, or differently proportioned. The banana clip is the most iconic and well-known jaw clip form, which is why the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but the jaw clip category is broader.