What Is a Clack Fan?

A clack fan is a folding hand fan that makes a loud clacking sound when you snap it open. It cools you off like any hand fan, but the clack is the point: it is applause, punctuation and attitude in one move.

Why do clack fans clack?

A clack fan is built from stiff bamboo ribs with a fabric face stretched across them. When you flick the fan open fast, the ribs hit each other and the fabric snaps tight, and that makes the sharp CLACK. Thin plastic fans do not do this well. God Glam It fans use real super-glossy bamboo ribs and thick satin, so they clack loud.

How to clack a fan

1. Hold the closed fan by the bottom, with the rivet in your palm.
2. Put your thumb on the outer rib.
3. Flick your wrist outward fast, like cracking a whip, and let the fan open all the way.
4. Snap it shut and do it again on the beat.

It takes a few tries. Once you have it, you will not stop.

Where people clack

Clack fans started in ballroom and drag culture and are now everywhere: raves and festivals, Pride parades, drag brunch, gay bars and the line dance floor. People clack on the beat drop, at the end of a read, when someone serves a look, or just to say yes.

Clack fan etiquette

• Clack away from faces and ears. It is loud for a reason.
• Read the room. A funeral is not the place.
• Clack for others too. A clack is a compliment.

What size is a clack fan?

Clack fans are bigger than a regular hand fan. Most God Glam It bamboo fans are 13 inches tall and about 26 inches wide open, which is big enough to be seen across the crowd.

Shop clack fans

Start with our most popular clack fans, browse rave and festival fans and drag fans, or see all of our fans. Want your own design? Get a custom clack fan.