Walking through the halls of Benilde St. Margaret’s this year, it’s easy to notice many ways student fashion has changed. One of the biggest trends making a return is the claw clip. What was once considered an outdated accessory has now become a common hairstyle that many students wear. Claw clips combine comfort with style, allowing students to look put together while still staying cozy in the classroom. While many trends come and go, the claw clip remains popular because it is becoming a useful accessory for any occasion.
Much of the popularity surrounding the trend can be connected to Chelsea Parke, a content creator and entrepreneur known as the founder and CEO of Parke. Parke is a brand that became recognizable with its oversized sweatshirts that quickly became popular with students at BSM. Along with promoting her brand on social media, Parke paired her outfits with a claw clip hairstyle, which people were fast to recreate, quickly becoming a new stylish trend across social media. As more people followed the trend online and in school, claw clips slowly became a part of everyday fashion at BSM. Instead of being seen as only practical, they became accessories connected to a clean and effortless look. “I think she just made them super trendy and stylish. I like the way they look in my hair, …she kind of just made it like everyone wants to do it. I think it’s a super cute trend,” sophomore Violet Agar said.
The return of claw clips also reflects how student fashion has shifted toward comfort and simplicity. At BSM, students balance busy schedules filled with homework, sports, and activities, which causes many to prefer styles that are easy to wear throughout the day. Claw clips fit perfectly into students’ lifestyles because they are quick, comfortable, and still stylish. Students often pair them with hoodies, t-shirts, and Parke sweatshirts, creating outfits that feel casual but coordinated. “I like claw clips because claw clips are super easy, super trendy, super cute for your hair. They’re such an easy pull-back,” sophomore Anna Larson said.
Beyond being comfortable, claw clips are a great hairstyle option because they are easier on hair and can help prevent hair damage. Unlike claw clips, tight ponytails pull hard on the scalp and can cause breakage over time. Claw clips can allow students to quickly put their hair up while avoiding the tension that ponytails can create. “They are way better than ponytails because they don’t rip out your hair like a ponytail does. With a claw clip, you just unclip it, and it’s perfect,” Larson said.