If you’re a millennial, we bet you remember those 90s butterfly clips we all used to wear. You know the ones – tiny plastic clips that kind of look like butterflies, with a wing on each side. They only held a small amount of hair, which is why we used to buy them in bulk – the more colors, the better! (And yeah, they totally hurt if you stepped on them.)

They might be a throwback to a few decades ago, but are butterfly clips making a comeback? Heck yeah! These cute little accessories are popping up everywhere now, as part of the 90s fashion revival that we’re loving.

So are butterfly clips back in style in 2021? They are, and there are plenty of ways to style them without looking like you’ve stepped out of a time machine from 1996. Here’s everything you need to know.

What year were butterfly clips popular?

Butterfly clips became super popular in the late 90s and into the early 2000s. Even the biggest Hollywood celebs were seen wearing them, including Jennifer Aniston, Kim K, and 90s screen queen Sarah Michelle Gellar.

For a while, we were seeing them just about everywhere, including on classic shows from the era like Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Lizzie McGuire. Who would’ve thought they’d make such a big comeback in 2021?

While every 90s girl loved heading to the mall to shop at Claire’s for hair accessories, you can now find butterfly clips just about everywhere online and they’re pretty inexpensive.

How can I style my hair with 90s butterfly clips?

How do you do 90s hair butterfly clips with a 2021 vibe? While there’s really no right or wrong way to do them, if you want to look modern, it helps to not go peak 90s – instead, style your butterfly clips with modern clothes and accessories and let the clips be the focus of your look.

You can also go a bit more minimal. While most 90s girls subscribed to the “more is more” theory, 2021 babes are wearing just a few butterfly clips at a time.

Image by Tara Winstead on Pexels: Throw in some butterfly clips here and you've got yourself a 90s-inspired look for 2021.

If you’re in need of some style inspo, here are a few fun ways to style your hair with butterfly clips. Of course, don’t let us hold you back – butterfly clips are so versatile and can be used in lots of ways, so feel free to experiment and come up with new looks.

1. Do the twist

One of the most iconic hairstyles using butterfly clips has to be the twist! With your hair down, twist small bits of hair from above your forehead and hold them in place with a clip. It creates a similar effect to wearing a headband, since the clips hold your hair back and also frame your face nicely. You can do tiny twists with lots of clips or a few larger twists, so play around with it and see what works best for you!

A top tip: often, hairstyles work best a day or two after you’ve washed your locks, as freshly washed hair tends to be slippery and doesn’t stay in place as easily. If you want to go longer between hair washes, we recommend trying out a DIY hair mask.

2. Just let it flow

We love this look for our curly-haired friends. Let your gorgeous, natural hair hang loose, then randomly place a few butterfly clips throughout. It makes for a fun and unique look that’s sure to get a few compliments! This look is definitely a statement, so you might want to pair it with a simple outfit to let your hair do the talking.

You can try this look with straight hair as well, but it tends to look best on hair with lots of volume and bounce, as otherwise the clips will flatten your hair against your head.

3. Pin back your luscious locks

Looking for a more low-key way to try out the butterfly clip trend? We totally get it – sometimes you don’t want a super-bold statement look. In that case, you can use butterfly clips the way you’d use a barrette, such as taking one clip and using it to pin back your bangs. Or, you can take a few strands of hair from the side of your face and pin them back just above the ear using a clip.

This is one of the easiest and simplest ways to rock the trend.

Image by Armen Aydinyan on Unsplash: Just like pastel tracksuits and other 90s fashion trends, butterfly clips have definitely made a comeback.

4. Dress up your bun or ponytail

Another subtle way to style butterfly clips is to add them to your bun or ponytail. Once your hair is pulled back with an elastic, add one or two clips to hold back any flyaway pieces of hair or just as an accoutrement to your look.

One or two butterfly clips is an easy way to make a “serious” style, like a tight bun, look more informal.

How else can I channel 90s fashion?

They say everything old is new again, and one of the biggest trends in fashion at the moment is styles from the 1990s, like butterfly clips. If you want to incorporate more 90s looks into your style, try out slip dresses, ribbed tank tops, overalls, or straight-leg jeans. And because the 90s fashion trend probably won’t last forever, there’s no need to spend lots of money on 90s clothes. You can find 90s looks at your local thrift shop, online, or probably even in your parents’ basement!

We’re all about having fun with fashion, so grab a few butterfly clips and get started. We can’t wait to see your 2021 interpretations of 90s style!

Featured image by Jessica Felicio on Unsplash