From the Mailbag: Great Grandpa’s whatchmahoozythingamadoodle?
I inherited a set of cufflinks and a clip that belonged to my great-grandfather. I have no idea what the clip is for and my parents who gave it to me don’t know either. I received the cufflinks to wear at my wedding and have worn them just about every occasion that comes up. But the clip? I don’t know what it is. I don’t think it’s a tie clip. It’s only about an inch long. Do you or the readers have any ideas?
– Todd
Interesting. Beats the heck out of me. Although I think many of us have seen 1″ tie clips before. TheTieBar has a bunch of 1″ clips, and The Dude is wearing one on the cover of GQ’s October issue. But all tie clips of this “pinch” style usually have a flat side resting against the front of the tie. This one has a pincher on each side, and that’ll bind the fabric, leaving a bit of a divot. Maybe it’s some sort of clip to keep a pocket watch chain in place?
Hand over the horn Regis. Going to need some outside help on this one.
The two men’s-fashion-history-mercenaries I turned to were Antonio over at Real Men Real Style (who’s also in the custom suit business), and Sven Raphael Schneider at Gentleman’s Gazette. These guys are to clothes as the Keno brothers are to Furniture. Only Antonio and Sven Raphael Schneider aren’t blonde. Or twins. Or… even brothers.
At least, I don’t think they are.
Antonio leaned towards it being a tie clip. “Vintage ties were thinner, and clips have been worn higher on the tie. So in that case, a 1 inch tie clip would do a sufficient job”
Sven Raphael Schneider did as well. And provided some visual evidence to back up his argument:
“Considering it came as a set, I am pretty sure it is a tie clip. These kind of short clips weren’t uncommon. Just take a look at this example, which has a different clasp mechanism but is very similar in its size and function.”
Indeed. That’s an awfully close match. Yet there’s a flat space on the back of that one for the front of the tie to rest cleanly.
Thoughts? Mystery solved? Does Todd indeed have a tie clip, or is this perhaps something else? Leave your thoughts in the comments below…
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Small-Art-Deco-Tie-Clip-Mother-of-Pearl-White-Enamel-Silvertone-Vintage-1920s-/251359328656 looks very much like that one, including the pincher bit on both sides. eBay has a few others like it as well.
Just file down the tie-side and pretend it was always that way.
This is most definitely a pocket watch clip. It is used to clip the chain to your vest, but I can’t say I have seen one used in conjunction with cuff links before. Basically you loop the chain though the far side of the clip, and the inward pinch goes through the button hole. It allows you to unbutton your vest (if needed) without removing your button clip. I also find them harder to loose since they are a much more defined piece 🙂
The Albert chain to the proverbial hook…as it were.
*wealthy southern chortle*
The roundness of the cufflinks reminds me of cadbury eggs. So good.
It’s a pocket watch clip. This has become as small trend in my college among a very specific crowd and while they’re usually simpler and silver, it’s the same thingy. But I bet you could use it as a tie clip with no problem either
Too much offset for a tie clip. Pocket watch clip is a better theory.