Claw Clip Hairstyles: 10 Styles With Step by Step Help

Claw clip hairstyles are updos and half up styles held by a hinged, toothed clip, and among designer hair accessories the claw clip is the fastest way to put hair away neatly. To wear one, gather your hair, twist it upward against the back of your head, then open the clip and close it across the twist so the teeth catch both the coil and the hair lying flat beneath it. Choose a clip sized to the volume of your hair and keep the twist firm, never tight, and the style will hold from morning to dinner. Our worked examples come from Zimmermann at Coveti, where the new 2027 hair pieces have just arrived.

By Coveti Editorial. How we research and write: our editorial and AI policy.

The clip in most of the steps below is the Zimmermann Plume Hair Clasp in black acetate, an elongated, shell inspired shape with sculptural curved ridges and a secure clasp fastening. An elongated clip like this one sits along the length of a twist instead of perching on top of it, which is why it suits the French twist and the chignon in particular. For evenings when you want ornament at the hairline rather than at the back of the head, our companion guide on how to wear a jeweled headband works through the padded velvet Zimmermann Embellished Headband, and the two pieces can be worn together.

Key facts

• A claw clip holds hair by gripping a twisted section against the scalp: the twist carries the weight and the clip locks it in place.
• Long, thick hair needs a large clip with deep teeth; fine hair and bobs hold better in a small clip with closely spaced teeth.
• Acetate is a plant derived material made from cellulose. It is light, warm against the skin and takes a deep polish.
• Changing where the clip sits from day to day spreads the tension and protects the hair along the hairline and crown.
• The Zimmermann Plume Hair Clasp is 100% acetate, one size, and filed at Coveti under Resort 2027.

What are the best claw clip hairstyles?

The best claw clip hairstyles are the French twist, the low twist, the half up clip and the chignon, with simpler variations for short, thick and fine hair. Each one below is written as a sequence you can follow in front of a mirror.

1. The French twist. Brush your hair straight back and gather it at the nape as though for a low ponytail. Twist the length clockwise until it begins to coil, then lift the coil up along the centre of the back of your head. Tuck the loose ends down into the roll, open the clip and set it vertically so the teeth bite across the seam of the twist. This is the most polished claw clip style and the one an elongated clasp suits best.
2. The low twist. Gather the hair at the nape and twist it two full turns, keeping the coil low. Fold the ends upward over the twist, then close the clip horizontally across the fold. It sits well against a coat collar and stays neat through a working day.
3. The half up clip. Take the top section of hair from temple to temple, back to the crown. Twist it once, lift it slightly for volume and clip it at the crown, leaving the rest of your hair loose. This is the natural choice for shoulder length hair and for second day waves.
4. The claw clip chignon. Make a low ponytail without an elastic, wind it into a flat coil against the nape, then close the clip over the centre of the coil. Pull a few strands loose around the face if you prefer a softer finish. Wear it with a high neckline, where hair kept off the collar keeps the line clean.
5. The side sweep. Part your hair deeply on one side. Sweep the heavier side back behind the ear and twist it along the side of the head toward the nape. Clip it just behind the ear with the clip angled downward. It is a good evening style for long earrings and for asymmetric necklines.
6. The folded loop. Gather a ponytail at the nape, fold the whole length up the back of the head in a single loop, and clip at the top of the fold. It takes about ten seconds and suits very long hair on days when you have no time at all.
7. The short hair clip. For a bob, lift two sections from just above each ear, twist each toward the centre of the back of the head, and secure both ends together with one small clip. The rest of the hair stays down and the twist adds shape at the back.
8. The thick hair twist. Detangle first, since knots add bulk. Twist the hair in two stages: one twist at the nape, then a second turn higher up. Use a large clip with deep teeth and close it horizontally, which spreads the weight across more of the jaw.
9. The fine hair twist. Mist a little texturising spray at the roots and through the lengths so the strands have grip. Twist loosely, then use a small clip with closely spaced teeth. A large clip will slide out of fine hair, however carefully you set it.
10. The twist with a headband. Set a padded headband first, about two finger widths behind the hairline. Then twist the lengths into a low French twist and clip it. The band frames the face and the clip keeps the back tidy, which suits weddings and dinners.

What size claw clip do you need for your hair?

The right claw clip is roughly as wide as your twist is thick, so match the clip to both the length and the density of your hair. Use the table below as a starting point, then adjust after a day of wear.

If the clip strains to close, it is too small. If it closes easily but slides within the hour, it is too large for the amount of hair it holds, and a smaller clip will grip better.

Is acetate better than metal and resin for a claw clip?

Acetate is the most comfortable everyday material for a claw clip, because it is light, slightly flexible and smooth against the scalp. Each material has a place, and the differences are worth knowing before you choose.

• Acetate. Made from cellulose, it can be cut and polished like a fine eyewear frame. It holds a gentle spring in the hinge, sits warm against the skin and keeps its shine for years with a soft cloth. It is the material of the Plume Hair Clasp.
• Metal. Strong and slim, with a firm hinge that holds thick hair well. It is heavier, can feel cold in winter, and a sharp edge can catch fine strands, so look for rolled edges.
• Resin and moulded plastic. Light and easy to produce in bright colours. Quality varies widely: a thin hinge can snap, and a matte finish can scuff quickly.

Whatever the material, check the inside of the teeth. They should be smooth, with no seams left from moulding, since a rough edge will snag hair each time you open the clip.

How do you keep a claw clip from slipping?

A claw clip stays put when the teeth bite into hair lying flat against the scalp as well as into the twist itself. Most slipping comes from clipping only the coil, which then swings free of the head.

• Twist firmly, then press the coil against your head with one hand while you clip with the other.
• Angle the clip so the lower row of teeth slides under the twist and catches the flat hair at the nape.
• Freshly washed, silky hair slips more. A little dry shampoo at the roots gives the teeth something to hold.
• Close the clip horizontally for heavy hair and vertically for long, smooth hair.
• Pin a single hair grip across the base of the twist before clipping on very active days.

Can a claw clip damage your hair?

A claw clip is one of the gentler ways to wear hair up, provided you avoid pulling the twist tight and move the clip position from day to day. Tension concentrated on one spot, worn daily, is what stresses the hair along the hairline and crown.

Alternate between a low twist, a half up style and loose hair through the week. Take the clip out before sleeping, since lying on a rigid clip presses the teeth into the scalp. Avoid clipping very wet hair tightly, because hair stretches when wet and sets under strain as it dries. If you have a sensitive scalp, a lighter acetate clip will feel kinder than a heavy metal one.

How do you wear a claw clip to the office and in the evening?

For the office, a low twist in a dark polished clip reads as neat and considered; for evening, a French twist and a side sweep both let the clip become part of the look. The difference lies in the height of the twist and the clothes around it.

By day, a low twist keeps hair off a coat collar and a shirt cuff. A dark acetate clip disappears into dark hair and shows as a graphic accent against fair hair. In the evening, lift the twist higher and let the neckline lead. A sheer layer such as the Zimmermann Clash Organza Shirt in dusty pink, silk organza with a classic collar and full length sleeves with elongated cuffs, looks best with hair lifted clear of the collar. The same applies to the Clash Lace Bodysuit in dusty pink, whose lace panelling and detachable lace bolero deserve an uncluttered neck. Our guide on how to style a lace bodysuit covers that piece in depth.

Two further pieces show why hair up matters for certain necklines. The Clash Paisley Midi Dress is strapless with a plunging V neckline and a structured bodice with internal boning, so a French twist leaves the shoulders bare and the line of the bodice unbroken. The Lace Pleated Long Sleeve Mini has a stand collar traced with lace, and a low chignon keeps hair from crushing it. To finish, the Cloud 91 Small Clutch in velvet and sequin echoes a polished clip without competing with it.

For more on the wider Zimmermann wardrobe, see the Zimmermann Resort 2027 edit, our Zimmermann jewellery and scarves guide and our notes on how to style Zimmermann.

The pieces at a glance

How we measured: prices are read from the Coveti catalogue and compositions from the house composition on each Zimmermann product page. Sizes are the sizes Zimmermann showed in stock on 15 November 2026, given in UK sizes (Zimmermann 0 is a UK 8) and in EU sizes for shoes. Stock moves daily, so the product page is the final word.

Claw clips around the world

United States. Coveti prices every piece in US dollars. Zimmermann runs boutiques on Madison Avenue, in the Meatpacking District and in SoHo in New York.

United Kingdom. Coveti lists every piece in UK sizes. In London the house has boutiques on Bruton Street and Sloane Street.

Europe. In Paris Zimmermann sells from rue François 1er, the Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Galeries Lafayette. Sizes convert directly: a UK 10 is an EU 36.

Gulf. The first Middle East boutique opened at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai in 2024, followed by Atlantis The Royal, The Galleria Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi, Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, The Avenues in Kuwait and Marassi Galleria in Bahrain. Our Zimmermann guide for the UAE and Saudi Arabia covers the region.

Boutique locations are from the house and trade press, checked October 2026. Shipping terms are in the Coveti logistics and returns protocol.

Frequently asked questions

How do you put your hair up with a claw clip?

Gather your hair at the nape, twist it upward against the back of your head, then close the clip across the twist so the teeth catch both the coil and the flat hair beneath it. Tuck the loose ends into the roll for a neater finish.

What size claw clip do you need for thick hair?

Thick hair needs a large clip with deep teeth, closed horizontally so the weight spreads across the whole jaw. If the clip strains to close, go up a size.

Do claw clips work on short hair?

Yes. On a bob, lift a section from above each ear, twist both toward the centre of the back of the head and secure them together with one small clip.

Are claw clips bad for your hair?

Claw clips are gentle when the twist is firm but not tight and the clip position changes from day to day. Take the clip out before sleeping and avoid clipping very wet hair tightly.

Can you wear a claw clip to a wedding?

A polished acetate clip in a French twist works well for a wedding, especially with a strapless dress, a high collar and a sheer shirt. Pair it with a padded headband at the front for a more formal finish.

What is the Zimmermann Plume Hair Clasp made of?

The Zimmermann Plume Hair Clasp is 100% acetate, with an elongated, shell inspired silhouette, sculptural curved detailing and a secure clasp fastening. It is one size.

Curated by the Coveti Studio.