One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn’t belong.
Can you tell which thing is not like the others, by the time I finish my song?
I didn’t have a specific post planned for today, or if I did, I’ve forgotten what it was. But there I was, doing a quick search for dress clips on Etsy this morning, and it seems a lesson is in order:
Dress clips are not shoe clips are not clip-on earrings. They are not interchangeable. I have personally attempted to use clip-on earrings as shoe clips, and they hurt because they’re too dimensional. I wouldn’t dare use dress clips on my ears, because that’s akin to clipping an iron maiden onto your earlobes. Neither shoe clips nor earrings have the strength required to gather and restrain fabric like dress clips.
Below: some visuals of properly described items currently listed on Etsy, so that you can see what you’re looking for. (Clicking on any photo will take you directly to the matching Etsy listing, if you’d like to see prices and more info.)
Dress Clips
Grandma, what big teeth you have!
Shoe Clips
See how the clip lies flat and smooth, and isn’t hinged? A hinge would dig right into the top of your foot. All. Day. Long.
Clip-On Earrings
Note the tensioned hinge and the somewhat curved (cushioned, as much as metal will) piece that presses against the earlobe. No teeth here!
This is not to say that there are never variations on the hardware for these items, but before you buy (or sell), think about the purpose these items are being advertised for, and whether or not the hardware is up to the task.
DISCLOSURE: As you know if you’re a regular reader, I am a vendor with two vintage-themed shops on Etsy. MagpieSue (earrings) and I are both members of the Vintage Lovers and Vintage Market teams on Etsy; I otherwise have no affiliation with these particular vendors.
The World of Wink 
And for the curious and uninitiated, what is the purpose of a shoe clip? Decorative? I’m assuming a dress clip is to make it hang/flow/fit better? Thanks for the education!
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Yes, a shoe clip is purely decoration. More common in a time when women had fewer pairs of shoes in their wardrobe, but still used as a way to “dress up” an otherwise plain pair. Dress clips can be worn as decoration much like a brooch, but were commonly used to alter necklines and/or keep gathers in place.
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I’m glad you posted about this Wink, I had never thought twice about anything with a clip on it, especially shoe clips, they’re quite fashionable now so it is no surprise that they were in fashion before!
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Great post. By the way, to make clips on shoes more comfortable one could apply adhesive backing to the underside of clips such as “moleskin” available at most pharmacies.
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