Why are you seeing this flower hair clip everywhere?

India Today

a day ago

Ananya Panday, on June 8, took to Instagram to say that she's 'so basic' because of a particular fashion choice. Dressed in an oversized pink shirt and wearing her sunnies, Ananya posed against a picturesque blue sea. But what she was talking about was her vibrant blue flower-shaped hair clip - an accessory that is viral across the world.Designed to resemble the much-loved frangipani (also called plumeria) flowers, these blooming claw clips come in a variety of joyous colours. Think shades of pink, cyan blue, orange, white, and of course, yellow. What sets them apart is their non-monotone appearance. Just like real flowers boast subtle ombre accents, these clips feature bright petals that gently fade into differently coloured cores.
Ananya Panday flaunts the viral flower clip.
Moreover, the colour play is not like a solid colour block. It is subtle, gentle and realistic; just like what a flower boasts. The curved petals further create the illusion of real floral softness, enhanced by a glossy, jelly-like finish.Well, just one stroll through a local market in your area and you would know that not just Ananya Panday, but almost everyone is obsessed with these particular clips. There are vendors in markets such as Sarojini Nagar and Lajpat Nagar selling nothing else but a variety of these flower clips. Kolkata and Mumbai markets are also replete with them in a myriad of colours and sizes.Their online popularity is equally undeniable. From Amazon and Meesho to Accessorize, Savana and international sellers like Bershka, these clips are everywhere. Prices start at Rs 35 per piece and go up to several hundred.
Flower clip buzz across online shopping platforms. Photos: Zara (left), Amazon India (centre) and Bershka (right)
Celeb-approved brand Emi Jay is also credited for popularising this claw clip and making it an aesthetically pleasing must-have in every woman's bag.These flower clips have managed to become an internet sensation, holiday must-have, celebrity favourite and also an aam janta staple all at the same time. Perhaps that's why Ananya Panday called herself 'so basic' for liking it. View this post on Instagram A post shared by embelisha | waterproof jewellery | makeup & more (@embelisha)Long before 'labubus' worth lakhs took over the fashion scene, these delightful clips were already everywhere—just without all the hype and labubu-level hysteria.Matilda Draper made these famous on Love Island, pairing them with her beachy sartorial picks.There are thousands of hair tutorial videos that show how versatile these clips can be. But not everyone likes to use them as hair clips. For some, they are just accessories for their bag handles. For others, they are beach companions, meant to be clipped on a bralette strap. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Emi Jay (@emijayinc)'To me, these floral clips bring so much joy. I don't even use them to clutch my hair, but just as a bag accessory. I have this clip in at least 10 colours. They have become synonymous with my style, and everyone around me knows that these clips bring me the same joy as real flowers,' says Arya Ghosh, a Noida-based working professional.
Viral flower clip as a bag accessory.
The floral appeal is surely universal, making these clips a hit. But their widespread popularity isn't just skin-deep. Nostalgia, the return of Y2K fashion, little treat culture, and the unsaid pressure of being 'Insta-worthy' all come into play here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@pichlim_)'Hair accessories are more affordable than clothes, bags or shoes, and still make a notable impact on your look. Headbands, claw clips, barrettes, scarves, bandannas, scrunchies and bobby pins come in all textures, sizes and colours now—from the more playful to the edgy. These can instantly elevate even the most basic outfit,' says Divyak D'Souza, a celebrity fashion stylist.Little joys are what the younger generations are seeking. No bangla aur gaadi micro-luxury is their thing. It may mean buying that celeb-approved lipstick that costs triple the amount of their regular everyday one, going out for avocado toast and matcha brunches, or hoarding Pinterest-worthy stationery supplies. It is also a self-care strategy, rewarding themselves with something small that brings happiness, or coping with stress or finding meaning in daily life.D'Souza sees these flower clips as an opportunity to experiment with new trends without breaking the bank.Additionally, people are clinging to nostalgia more than ever before. In the world of marketing, nostalgia is now a solid tool and even the foundation for many businesses. Our love for the past has triggered a revival of several fashion and lifestyle trends. The reason we're now obsessed with Y2K fashion is a key example. So is the comeback of jelly shoes. The re-release trend of good old movies? That too screams our longing for the past.Similarly, these flower clips are also reminiscent of earlier times. Remember all those cute little flower clips your mother used to put in your hair when you were a kid? The tin boxes that were just full of these hair embellishments? Flower clips perhaps keep the child in us alive, while also not looking too childish. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pretty woman (@prettywoman1302)"The flower claw clip trend has taken off because it's fun, nostalgic, and effortlessly stylish - everything Gen-Z loves. It's more than just a hair accessory; it's a small way to express personality without trying too hard. Whether it's spotted in a local market or on a celebrity like Ananya Panday, the appeal lies in how easy it is to wear while still making a statement. It's fashion made simple, joyful, and real - and that's exactly where Gen-Z feels at home,' says Yogesh Agarwal, Country Partner, Savana by Urbanic.Meanwhile, there is a section of fashion enthusiasts who absolutely disapprove of these clips.'They are just plastic. And why would you want to hoard something that everyone else is also sporting? To me, these look too cheap. I would rather go back to an edgy silver hair pin that has some character,' says Trisha, a fashion design student studying in Delhi.advertisementAre you team flower claw clip, or giving this trend a hard pass?