Nipple Clamps

[Miss Vickie]

Okay not really, but they look like it.

Ya know those clips they make that you wear on the back of a dress to kind of "cinch" it in a bit? They were very "in" in the 80's (so perhaps I'm showing my age and utter fashion ineptitude by starting this thread and even mentioning them). They had clippie things on either end, and then an elastic or corded middle section that was usually decorative and complemented the color.

I'm looking for something like that to keep one of my favorite dresses wearable a little long longer. (Tina, it's that one I wore to karaoke, the blue/purple/greenie number with the moons and stars on it?) It's got slightly lower than normal empire waist, a full shortish skirt (almost a funky babydoll style) and is pretty full on me now, but I want to wear it a bit longer. So I was thinking a cute, funky silvery or pewtery dress clip thingee would be just the thing.

Or am I nuts? (I'll try to snag a pic of the dress and post it later today). If you have any other ideas, oh fashion mavens, I'd love to hear them.

Nipply yours,

Vickly

[fatlane]

Way to go. "Nipple clamps" got a hurricane relief banner. Nice way to goose the google ads.

Yeah, I remember those. Don't have any handy, sorry.

[Donna]

Oh damn, what where those things called? Just about every dress in the late 80's/early 90's had those things on the back. You know, if you can't find one (have you checked Ebay?) you could possibly sew on ribbon and make a belt to cinch the dress in a bit.

[Sandie S-R]

Hey Vickie...

I haven't see those in quite a while, and yes I do know what you are talking about. :) But I do have a suggestion. You can make one of your own. Go to your local fabric store. They sell the clamps with a little bar on each end, that you can attach a piece of fabric with elastic threaded thru it. Very quick and easy to make up.

Hope that helps.

[rainyday]

For me it's showing ads for prom dresses and a "Flower girl dress sale" lol.

I know I saw those for sale somewhere recently, believe it or not. Just can't remember where. And Sandie's right, they would be easy to make.

[Miss Vickie]

I wish I had just a tiny bit of creativity and talent. I'd love to make one. :( But alas, when I try sewing projects, it always looks like a three year old did it. I tried googling it but I just can't seem to come up with the right name for them. (Nipple clamps did get me to some interesting sites, though).

I think I may end up just having the dress altered, though I like the ribbon idea. That might be cute. I need to get my daughter to take a picture of me in the dress, to give you guys an idea of what I need. It may be that the clips might make it fit weird. I'm just so BAD at this kind of thing. :(

[Ashley]

Well, it'll still take a little sewing, but here's an idea... You can buy those sheet-stay fasteners that you attach to either side of the corners of your bed sheets to get them to stay on when you're particularly mobile in bed (:cool:). They're basically the same as those 80s dress clips, but with exposed elastic. Anyway, you can get a tiny bit of fabric (that would coordinate with your dress) and just make a sleeve to go over it. It could work, maybe?

[Miss Vickie]

Well, it'll still take a little sewing, but here's an idea... You can buy those sheet-stay fasteners that you attach to either side of the corners of your bed sheets to get them to stay on when you're particularly mobile in bed (:cool:). They're basically the same as those 80s dress clips, but with exposed elastic. Anyway, you can get a tiny bit of fabric (that would coordinate with your dress) and just make a sleeve to go over it. It could work, maybe?

Good idea, Ashley. I'll try and get a pic of the dress posted today so that maybe someone could give me ideas of what would be a good fabric. (My daughter used my camera, taking many pictures of herself and our pets, and then didn't re-charge it, so now it sits on its little base for the next few hours).

[Janet]

Ok, if I'm not mistaken those were originally used back in the 40's/50's to clip your sweater together if you were wearing it around your shoulders. Hmm, but they were usually beaded or pearls---not necessarily elastic. (Is it the same thing?)

I think I have one or two of them. (I used to collect all those old-fashioned fashion accessories.)

Does this sound familiar to anyone else??

(If I can find them, I'll put up a pic--and Miss Vickie, if it's what you need, I can mail them to you.)

[RedHead]

Vickie....JoAnn Fabric carries them:D The new super store in the Northway Mall has them.

[jamie]

Vickster -

There are some pretty ones here:
http://acostumejewelryshop.com/sweater-guard-clips-cinch-dress-clips-c27

Most places that have them online are costume/retro jewelry kinds of places. There are some nifty pieces out there though.

[Sandie S-R]

Ok, if I'm not mistaken those were originally used back in the 40's/50's to clip your sweater together if you were wearing it around your shoulders. Hmm, but they were usually beaded or pearls---not necessarily elastic. (Is it the same thing?)

I think I have one or two of them. (I used to collect all those old-fashioned fashion accessories.)

Does this sound familiar to anyone else??

(If I can find them, I'll put up a pic--and Miss Vickie, if it's what you need, I can mail them to you.)

Janet...

Sweater clips from the 50s are different from the dress clips that Vickie was referring to. The sweater clips were thinner and as you mentioned more like two little clips on something that looked like a beaded half-necklace. The dress clips are larger and in the middle between the clips is fabric threaded with elastic that stretches.

Jeez I loved those little sweater clips with a lovely angora cardigan. Kinda always been a fan of the 50s. I still have my saddle shoes. :)

[Miss Vickie]

Hey thanks, guys! And I'll definitely check out JoAnn's, next time I'm in that area of town.