A bobby pin is a small pin or clip, usually of metal, used in coiffure to hold hair in place. Typical bobby pins are plain and unobtrusively colored, but some bobby pins are elaborately decorated or jewelled.

The "bobby pin" came into wide use as the hairstyle know as the "bob cut" or "bobbed hair" took hold. This trend caught wave in the 1920s, and the bobby pins kept the bobbed hair in place. Bobby pins are inexpensive and tinted to match various hair colors which led to the fashion trend being adopted by 90% of North American women by the end of the decade. ^*

They are also used for lock picking.

Fasteners