The Buttercups Midi Colors 10: A Vintage Hair Accessory Set Worth Collecting

When you open a velvet-lined case or a carefully taped paper envelope from a vintage market stall, the first thing that catches your eye is often a row of uniform clips, each with its own distinct hue. The Buttercups Midi Colors 10 set is exactly that kind of find: a ten-piece collection of midi-sized hair clips produced by the Birmingham-based Buttercups Ltd. between the late 1950s and early 1960s. For collectors of British hair accessories, these little clips represent a moment when practicality met a cheerful palette, and they remain a practical, wearable piece of history.

What Makes a Midi Clip?

The term “midi” in the Buttercups catalogue refers to the clip’s length: roughly 5 centimetres, sitting between the small “mini” barrettes (often used for pinning stray strands) and the large “maxi” or “jumbo” clips that dominated the 1970s. The midi size is ideal for securing a half-up style, holding a side twist, or adding a pop of colour to a low ponytail. The Buttercups Midi Colors 10 set uses a classic spring-loaded mechanism with a metal core wrapped in cellulose acetate, a material prized for its warmth and durability. The clip’s teeth are shallow enough to grip fine hair without pulling, yet the spring tension is strong enough to hold thicker sections – a balance that few modern mass-produced clips manage.

The Ten-Colour Palette: A Spectrum of Mid-Century Charm

Buttercups Ltd. offered the Colors 10 set in a fixed palette that appears to have been standardised around 1959. The ten colours are:

• Buttercup Yellow – a soft, sun-warmed cream, the colour that gave the brand its name.
• Blush Pink – a muted rose, not too sweet.
• Salmon Coral – a slightly orange-toned pink, popular in the early 1960s.
• Mint Green – a pale, cool green that works beautifully against dark hair.
• Sky Blue – a delicate, almost dusty blue.
• Lilac – a soft violet, less intense than lavender.
• Cherry Red – a clear, bright red that still retains warmth.
• Charcoal – a deep grey, almost black, used for contrast.
• Tortoiseshell Amber – a transparent brown with golden flecks, a nod to vintage tortoiseshell.
• Ivory White – an off-white with a subtle cream undertone.

Each clip has a hand-painted or, more likely, dip-dyed finish, which means slight variations in shade between individual pieces – a detail that adds to their collectible appeal. The colours were chosen to complement the popular pastel and jewel tones of the era, and they remain remarkably easy to mix with both vintage and contemporary clothing.

Materials and Craftsmanship: What to Look For

Buttercups clips were manufactured in a small factory in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, a district known for metalwork and precision engineering. The metal spring inside each clip is a nickel-silver alloy, which resists rust far better than the cheaper steel used in later decades. The cellulose acetate outer layer is not only lightweight but also warm to the touch – a sign of quality. Over time, acetate can develop a slight cloudiness or “bloom” if stored in humid conditions, but this can often be polished away with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid soaking the clips in water or using alcohol-based cleaners, as these can dull the finish.

When examining a Buttercups Midi Colors 10 set, check that all ten clips are present and that the colour sequence is consistent with the original palette. Replacement clips from other sets are common, but a complete, original set with matching spring tension is more valuable. The clips should snap shut firmly and open with a clean, even resistance. Loose springs can be gently tightened with a pair of needle-nose pliers, but only if you are comfortable with the delicate work – otherwise, a good jeweller can do it.

Styling the Buttercups Midi Colors 10 Today

One of the pleasures of this set is its versatility. The ten colours allow you to create a coordinated look without being matchy-matchy. For a spring garden party, try pairing the buttercup yellow and mint green clips together in a low side-swept style. For a more monochromatic approach, layer the charcoal and ivory clips to add subtle texture to an updo. The midi size also works well as a “bookend” – place one clip at the top of a French twist and another at the base, using a contrasting colour to draw the eye.

If you are wearing a vintage 1950s dress with a print that includes coral or sky blue, a single Buttercups clip in the corresponding shade can tie the whole outfit together without overwhelming it. And because the clips are small, they are equally at home in a modern minimalist wardrobe: a single lilac clip on a sleek ponytail is a quiet nod to the past.

For those who enjoy building a collection, the Buttercups Midi Colors 10 set is a wonderful foundation. It pairs well with other mid-century pieces, such as the Annabel Hair Clip, which shares a similar design language but in a larger size. You can also find individual Buttercups clips at vintage fairs, but the full set is rarer. If you come across one, it is worth the investment – especially if the original packaging is intact.

Care and Storage for Longevity

Cellulose acetate is sensitive to heat and direct sunlight. Never leave Buttercups clips on a windowsill or in a hot car. Store them in a cool, dry place, ideally in a fabric-lined box or a partitioned tray so that the clips do not scratch each other. The tortoiseshell amber clips are particularly prone to colour changes if exposed to UV light – they may darken unevenly. To clean, wipe with a slightly damp cotton cloth and immediately dry with a soft towel. If the spring becomes stiff, a tiny drop of sewing machine oil on the hinge mechanism can help, but wipe away any excess immediately.

Where to Find Them

Online marketplaces and vintage shops in the UK are the best sources. The set often appears under the description “Buttercups midi hair clips 10 colours” or simply “Buttercups set of 10”. Prices vary widely depending on condition and completeness – expect to pay between £25 and £45 for a good set. If you are patient, you might find a boxed set at a car boot sale for a fraction of that. And if you are new to collecting, Fresh Finds: The Magic of New Arrivals in a Vintage Hair Accessory Collection offers guidance on how to evaluate and incorporate new pieces into your wardrobe.

The Buttercups Midi Colors 10 set is a small, tangible piece of British design history. It reminds us that a well-made accessory, even a humble hair clip, can hold stories of the hands that made it and the heads that wore it. Whether you wear one colour or all ten, these clips add a touch of mid-century optimism to any day.