The Buttercups Midi Colors 9: A Collector’s Guide to 1990s British Hair Clips

When the Buttercups Midi Colors collection first appeared in the mid-1990s, it offered something that British vintage hair accessory enthusiasts had been quietly craving: a curated palette of nine distinct shades that could be mixed, matched, and collected over time. Unlike the brand’s earlier single-colour runs or the limited-edition seasonal releases, the “Midi Colors 9” set was designed as a complete system. Each of the nine hues was chosen to complement a specific hair colour, era of dress, or mood—and together, they formed a rainbow that felt both intentional and endlessly wearable.

For the uninitiated, a “Midi” in Buttercups terminology refers to the medium-sized clip—larger than the petite mini clips often used for fine hair or half-up styles, but smaller than the full-size barrettes that can weigh down a delicate updo. The Midi clip measures roughly 6.5 centimetres in length, with a gentle spring mechanism that holds securely without pulling. The “Colors 9” designation simply means the full nine-shade lineup, though in practice most collectors encounter them as individual finds at vintage fairs, charity shops, or online market stalls across the UK.

The Nine Shades That Defined a Decade

Buttercups never published an official name for each colour in the Midi Colors 9 range, which has led to a lively (and occasionally heated) debate among collectors. Based on surviving packaging, catalogue references, and cross-referencing with period fashion magazines, the most widely accepted palette is as follows:

• Buttercup Yellow – A warm, creamy yellow that leans slightly toward marigold. This shade appears in almost every Buttercups collection from the 1990s and is often considered the brand’s signature colour.
• Blush Pink – A soft, muted pink with a hint of peach. Not to be confused with the brighter fuchsia used in later lines.
• Lavender Grey – A dusty violet-grey that reads as neutral from a distance but reveals its subtle purple undertone in daylight.
• Moss Green – An olive-based green with warm brown notes, designed to echo the tweeds and wool blends popular in British country dressing.
• Sky Blue – A clear, medium blue with no grey or green shift. It pairs effortlessly with denim and white shirts.
• Cream – An off-white with a slight ivory warmth, not stark or clinical.
• Tortoiseshell – A translucent brown with darker mottling, executed here without the glossy lacquer that characterises earlier Buttercups tortoiseshell pieces.
• Charcoal – A deep, matte grey that reads almost black in low light. It was the most requested colour in customer surveys from the period.
• Rosewood – A rich, reddish brown with visible grain-like striations in the resin. This shade is the rarest of the nine and commands the highest prices among collectors.

Each clip is made from a cellulose acetate blend that was injection-moulded and then hand-polished. The result is a smooth, slightly warm-to-the-touch surface that develops a gentle patina over time. Unlike modern resin clips that can feel brittle, Buttercups Midi clips have a subtle flexibility—they will bend slightly under pressure rather than snap, which is one reason so many have survived in excellent condition.

Why Nine? The Logic Behind the Palette

The choice of nine colours was not arbitrary. Buttercups’ design team in the early 1990s studied the most common hair colours across the UK—from ash blonde to deep brunette to silver grey—and selected shades that would create contrast without clashing. Blush Pink and Lavender Grey, for instance, were chosen specifically to complement the cool tones of grey and silver hair, which were increasingly popular among women who chose to let their natural colour grow out rather than dye it. Moss Green and Rosewood, on the other hand, work beautifully with warm brown and auburn hair.

The Midi Colors 9 also solved a practical problem: many women owned only one or two hair clips and wore them until they broke. By offering a coordinated set of nine, Buttercups encouraged collecting. You could start with Buttercup Yellow and Sky Blue, then add Charcoal and Cream later. The clips were sold individually for around £3.50 each in 1995, making them accessible without being disposable. A full set cost roughly the same as a mid-range lipstick—an intentional price point that positioned the clips as an everyday luxury rather than a special-occasion purchase.

How to Identify Genuine Buttercups Midi Colors 9 Clips

As with any desirable vintage accessory, reproductions and lookalikes have appeared in recent years. Here are the key markers that distinguish an authentic Buttercups Midi clip from a later imitation:

• Moulded logo – Genuine clips have a small, raised “Buttercups” text on the inside of the spring mechanism, visible when the clip is open. The lettering is serif and approximately 4 millimetres wide.
• Spring tension – Authentic clips close with a firm, even pressure. If the clip feels loose or rattles, it may be a replica or a damaged original.
• Colour consistency – Each Midi Colors 9 shade is uniform across the surface, with no swirls or streaks (except for the intentional tortoiseshell and rosewood patterns). Look for a matte finish; gloss indicates a later production run or a different line.
• Weight – A genuine Midi clip weighs approximately 8 grams. Heavier clips often contain metal reinforcements that were not used by Buttercups.

Styling the Midi Colors 9 with a Modern Wardrobe

The beauty of the Midi Colors 9 palette is its versatility. These clips were designed before the era of fast fashion, when accessories were meant to last through multiple outfit changes and seasons. Here are three ways to wear them today:

• Single-clip accent – Choose one shade that echoes a colour in your outfit. A Sky Blue clip worn at the temple picks up the blue in a striped Breton top or a pair of indigo jeans. This is the simplest way to wear a Midi clip and works for any hair length.
• Two-clip symmetry – Use two clips of the same colour to secure a half-up style, one on each side above the ear. This works especially well with Blush Pink or Lavender Grey, as the soft hues create a gentle frame around the face without overpowering it.
• Colour-blocking with three or more – For a bolder look, arrange three clips in a row along a deep side part, alternating shades. A sequence of Buttercup Yellow, Moss Green, and Charcoal reads as unexpectedly modern—almost graphic. This styling trick was popularised by British fashion editor Isabella Blow in the late 1990s and has recently resurfaced on Instagram and Pinterest boards dedicated to vintage hair accessories.

If you are new to collecting Buttercups Midi clips, start with the shades that appear most frequently at your local vintage market: Buttercup Yellow, Blush Pink, and Charcoal are the easiest to find in good condition. The rarer Rosewood and Lavender Grey require more patience but are well worth the hunt. For a deeper dive into how specific Buttercups shades relate to broader vintage hair accessory trends, our guide to The Arizona Bow Barrette: A Desert Icon in British Vintage Hair Fashion offers a fascinating parallel story of how colour choices travel across product lines.

Caring for Your Midi Colors 9 Collection

Cellulose acetate is a semi-synthetic material that responds to heat and humidity. To keep your clips in top condition:

• Store them away from direct sunlight, which can cause yellowing or fading over time. A fabric-lined jewellery box or a drawer with a silica gel packet works well.
• Avoid leaving clips in a hot car or near a radiator. Acetate can warp at temperatures above 50°C.
• Clean gently with a soft, dry cloth. If the clip has visible residue from hair products, dab a cotton bud in isopropyl alcohol and wipe the affected area, then dry immediately.
• Do not bend the clip open beyond its natural range. The spring mechanism is durable but not indestructible; forcing it can crack the acetate.

One common question from new collectors is whether the clips can be worn by people with fine or thinning hair. The answer is yes—the Midi clip’s spring is calibrated to hold securely even with a small section of hair. If you find the grip too tight, you can gently squeeze the two sides of the clip together before inserting it into your hair; this slightly reduces the tension without damaging the mechanism.

For those who want to explore how Buttercups colours interact with specific garment styles, our article on How to Date and Wear Vintage Hair Scarves includes a useful section on matching scarf prints with solid-colour hair clips—a technique that translates directly to the Midi Colors 9 palette.

The Buttercups Midi Colors 9 collection represents a rare moment in British vintage hair accessory history: a complete, thoughtfully designed system that was affordable enough to collect, durable enough to last, and beautiful enough to still feel relevant thirty years later. Whether you are drawn to the sunny warmth of Buttercup Yellow, the quiet sophistication of Charcoal, or the elusive beauty of Rosewood, each clip carries with it a small piece of 1990s design philosophy—one that valued longevity, colour harmony, and the simple pleasure of a well-made object.