A claw clip features prongs on two sides that come together like fingers clasping. They are held together by a simple spring making them one of the easiest and most versatile hair clips on the market. A hair claw is a good alternative to an elastic, which can cause hair breakage. Claw clips were everywhere in the 1990s and now they're back. Compare. alligator clip.The strong resurgence of the claw clips can also be largely attributed to the comeback of style trends from the '90s and early Aughts, with many consumers longing to relive that nostalgic time period through fashion,