Buttercups Midi Colors 2: The Second Wave of Vintage Hair Clips

When the original Buttercups Midi Colors line arrived in the late 1970s, it brought a burst of cheerful pastels to British dressing tables. But by 1981, fashion had shifted towards deeper, earthier tones, and Buttercups responded with a second series: the Midi Colors 2. This collection swapped candy pinks and baby blues for muted mauves, olive greens, and warm browns, reflecting the mood of a decade that embraced tweed, corduroy, and autumnal palettes. For collectors today, the Midi Colors 2 represents a fascinating bridge between the bright optimism of the seventies and the rustic sophistication of the early eighties.

The Colour Palette: From Harvest Gold to Midnight Plum

Buttercups Midi Colors 2 introduced eight shades, each named after natural elements or gemstones. The palette includes:

• Harvest Gold – a deep, burnished yellow with a hint of ochre, far removed from the lemon-drop yellows of the first series.
• Slate – a soft charcoal grey that reads almost blue in certain light, perfect for silver or ash-toned hair.
• Burgundy – a rich wine red that deepens to near-black on the clip’s curved surface.
• Olive – a muted green with brown undertones, reminiscent of military uniforms and country walks.
• Mushroom – a warm beige-grey, the most versatile neutral in the set.
• Blackberry – a dark purple that shifts between violet and almost-black, depending on the angle.
• Brick – a terra-cotta red-orange, less fiery than a true coral, more grounded.
• Midnight – a deep navy blue that appears almost black in dim light but reveals its blue character under direct sun.

These colours were not chosen at random. They echo the popular interiors and fabrics of the early 1980s – think Laura Ashley wallpaper, Harris tweed, and the first wave of country-house style. As a result, Midi Colors 2 clips feel both nostalgic and surprisingly contemporary when paired with modern neutral outfits.

Materials and Craftsmanship: What Makes a Buttercups Midi Clip

Buttercups Midi Colors 2 clips share the same construction as their predecessors. The base is a nickel-plated steel spring clip, designed to hold firmly without damaging hair. The coloured top is a two-part resin – a thermoset plastic that was poured into moulds, then hand-finished. What sets the Midi 2 series apart is the surface texture: the resin has a slight matte finish, unlike the high-gloss of the first series. This was achieved by adding a fine silica powder to the mould, giving the clips a velvety feel that reduces slipping in fine hair.

Each clip is stamped on the inside with “Buttercups” and a small number indicating the colour code (e.g., “02” for Slate, “07” for Brick). The spring tension is consistent across all Midi sizes – the “midi” refers to the clip length of approximately 5 cm, making it ideal for securing half-up styles or adding a touch of colour to a ponytail without overwhelming the hair.

Identifying a Genuine Buttercups Midi Colors 2 Clip

With reproductions appearing on online marketplaces, knowing how to spot an original is essential. Look for these signs:

• The stamp – genuine clips have a crisp, shallow stamp on the inside of the metal arm. Fakes often have no stamp or a laser-etched imitation.
• The colour depth – original Midi Colors 2 resin has a subtle translucency; hold the clip up to light and you should see a faint glow through the colour, especially in Harvest Gold and Olive.
• The spring – original springs are tightly coiled and made of nickel-plated steel. A magnet will stick firmly. Later plastic imitations often use a weaker alloy or no metal at all.
• The finish – the matte surface should feel slightly chalky, not slippery. If the clip is glossy, it is likely a later reissue or a different series.

If you are building a collection, start with the more common shades – Slate and Mushroom – which are easier to find at flea markets and vintage fairs. The rarer colours, such as Blackberry and Brick, command higher prices but are worth seeking out for a complete set.

Caring for Your Buttercups Midi Colors 2 Collection

Resin is durable but not indestructible. To keep your clips in pristine condition:

• Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, which can fade the colour over time. Store clips in a lined box or a fabric pouch.
• Clean with a soft, dry cloth. If necessary, use a slightly damp cotton bud to remove dust from the crevices around the metal hinge. Never use alcohol or acetone – they will dull the resin.
• Check the spring tension periodically. If a clip feels loose, gently squeeze the metal arms with your fingers to restore grip. Do not use pliers, as they can scratch the nickel plating.
• Keep away from hairspray and perfume. The alcohol in these products can cloud the resin finish.

With proper care, these clips will last for decades – many original Midi Colors 2 clips from the early 1980s are still in excellent working condition today.

Styling the Midi Colors 2 with Contemporary Wardrobes

The muted palette of the Midi Colors 2 series makes them surprisingly easy to integrate into a modern capsule wardrobe. Here are a few ways to wear them:

• Slate with grey tailoring – a single Slate clip at the nape of the neck adds a subtle metallic sheen to a charcoal blazer and white shirt.
• Burgundy with cream and camel – a Burgundy clip holding a side-swept section of hair complements a cream silk blouse and camel trousers, echoing the colour of a good red wine.
• Olive with denim – two Olive clips, one on each side of a half-up style, bring out the green undertones in vintage-wash jeans.
• Blackberry with navy – a single Blackberry clip worn low at the back of a ponytail adds a discreet pop of colour against a navy dress, especially when the light catches the purple hue.

The midi size is particularly well-suited to shorter hair or to those who prefer a minimalist look. Unlike large claw clips, the Buttercups Midi sits close to the head and does not disrupt the silhouette of a sleek bob or a layered lob.

For those who enjoy mixing vintage accessories, the Midi Colors 2 palette works beautifully with the softer shades of the Bertha comb series. The muted tones of the Bertha combs – such as tortoiseshell and dark amber – create a cohesive, layered look when paired with a Slate or Mushroom clip. You can read more about coordinating colourways in our guide to The Bertha Hair Comb: Three Iconic Colourways Explained.

Building a Collection: Where to Start

If you are new to Buttercups Midi Colors 2, begin by hunting for the three most common shades: Slate, Mushroom, and Harvest Gold. These appear frequently at vintage fairs and on resale sites, often priced between £8 and £15 each. Once you have those, look for Olive and Burgundy – they are slightly less common but still attainable. The true rarities are Blackberry, Brick, and Midnight; expect to pay £20–£30 for a pristine example. A complete set of eight in original packaging is a collector’s prize, but even a partial set allows you to mix and match with confidence.

When inspecting clips in person, bring a small magnet to test the metal. Many sellers misidentify later plastic clips as Buttercups, but the magnet test is a reliable way to confirm the nickel-plated steel spring. Also check for the colour code stamp – if the number is missing or unclear, it may be a different series.

Next time you visit a vintage fair, carry a small magnet and a soft cloth. Hold the clip up to the light, feel the matte surface, and look for the stamped number inside. That quiet moment of discovery – finding a perfectly preserved Blackberry clip tucked in a box of costume jewellery – is what makes collecting these small artefacts so rewarding.