Buttercups Midi Colors 5: A Collector’s Guide to the Five-Shade Set

Among the many releases in the Buttercups Midi Colors family, the set numbered 5 occupies a distinctive place. While the larger 10-shade palette offers breadth, the five-colour edition distils the range into a tightly curated sequence. For collectors who appreciate deliberate restraint, this smaller set rewards close study.

The five shades in this release are not a random subset of the larger palette. Each colour was chosen to work in harmony with the others, allowing a single owner to rotate between them without clashing. This makes the set particularly appealing for those who prefer a capsule collection of vintage hair accessories over an extensive wardrobe of clips.

The Five Colours of Set 5

The exact composition of Buttercups Midi Colors 5 varies slightly by production year, but the most widely documented sequence includes these five tones:

• Butter Yellow — A soft, warm yellow that avoids the sharpness of lemon. It pairs naturally with cream, ecru, and pale blue fabrics.
• Rose Dust — A muted pink with a hint of beige, neither too sweet nor too pale. It reads as a neutral on many hair colours.
• Slate Blue — A grey-blue that leans cooler than the sky tones found in other Buttercups sets. It provides a calm anchor among the warmer shades.
• Hazel — A brown with green undertones, reminiscent of aged tortoiseshell but without the weight. It works well for those who prefer earthy tones.
• Charcoal — A deep grey that appears almost black in low light. It offers a dramatic finish without the starkness of true black.

These five shades were produced in the standard Buttercups Midi form — a medium-sized clip with a gentle spring mechanism and a smooth, glossy surface. The colour is integral to the acetate, not a painted layer, so it resists chipping and fading when stored correctly.

Why Five Shades?

The decision to issue a five-colour set rather than a larger palette reflects a practical design philosophy. Five clips allow a wearer to cover a full week of outfits — Monday to Friday — without repeating a shade. The set also fits neatly into a small pouch or a shallow drawer, making it ideal for travel or for those with limited storage space.

From a manufacturing perspective, five colours kept production costs manageable while still offering variety. The Buttercups brand often tested new colour formulations in smaller sets before committing to a full 10-shade run. Set 5 may therefore represent a trial batch for colours that later appeared in expanded palettes.

Dating Your Set

Not all Buttercups Midi Colors 5 sets are identical. Early examples from the late 1970s used a slightly thicker acetate and a more pronounced curve in the clip profile. Later batches, from the mid-1980s, have a flatter shape and a lighter spring tension. The colour saturation also varies: earlier shades tend to be more translucent, while later ones are more opaque.

To date your set, examine the clip’s reverse side. Early models have a small embossed number near the hinge — usually a single digit. Later models may include a two-digit year code. If no marking is present, the clip likely dates from the early 1990s, when Buttercups simplified its production stamps.

Styling with Set 5

The five shades in this set offer more versatility than their modest number suggests. Here are three practical combinations:

• Daytime neutral: Use the Hazel clip with a cream linen blouse and a tweed blazer. The earthy tone complements natural fibres without competing with them.
• Evening contrast: Pair the Charcoal clip with a silk dress in deep navy or burgundy. The dark grey adds definition without the heaviness of black.
• Soft accent: Wear the Butter Yellow clip with a pale blue dress or a white shirt. The warmth of the yellow lifts cool tones without overwhelming them.

The Rose Dust and Slate Blue clips work well together in a single hairstyle — for instance, one clip securing a side twist and the other holding a back section. The contrast between warm pink and cool blue creates a balanced visual effect.

Care and Storage

Acetate clips like the Buttercups Midi Colors 5 require gentle handling. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight for extended periods, as UV light can alter the colour of lighter shades, especially the Butter Yellow and Rose Dust. Store the clips in a fabric-lined box or a soft pouch, preferably with individual compartments so the shades do not rub against each other.

If a clip becomes cloudy or dull, wipe it with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use alcohol or acetone-based cleaners, as these can dissolve the acetate surface. A very light application of mineral oil on a cotton bud can restore gloss to the Charcoal and Hazel shades, but test on an inconspicuous area first.

Collecting the Complete Set

Because the five-colour set was produced in smaller quantities than the 10-shade version, complete sets in good condition are less common. If you find a set with all five original clips and no cracks or warping, it is worth acquiring even if one shade duplicates a clip you already own. The set’s value lies in its completeness.

For those cataloguing their collection, noting the production code and shade sequence can help identify rare variants. Some early sets included a sixth shade — a pale mint green — as a bonus clip, though this was never part of the official five-colour lineup. If you encounter a mint clip alongside the standard five, you may have a pre-production sample.

When documenting your own Buttercups finds, a well-structured record can be as valuable as the clips themselves. For guidance on organising your collection notes, see Indexing Your Vintage Hair Accessories: An XML Guide, which offers a clear method for cataloguing each piece by shade, production code, and condition.

The Buttercups Midi Colors 5 set rewards patience and a trained eye. Its five shades, chosen with care, offer a complete palette for the discerning collector who values quality over quantity.