Bag Charms Are Fashion's Hottest Accessory Trend

Sanika Achrekar
Nov 5, 2024
3 min read

Remember when adding fancy charms to school backpacks was the height of cool? It’s your time to shine again! Bag charms are making a comeback, and you might think this is just a passing trend, but you’re mistaken. The key? Accessorise your accessories.

From Jane Birkin setting the trend with her bedazzled Birkins to modern IT girls like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid sporting Fendi's fur keychains in the mid-2010s, personalising bags has always been in vogue.

Fast forward to 2024, and the latest micro-trend, dubbed ‘Jane Birkin-fying’ on TikTok, is taking social media by storm. Fashion enthusiasts are now adding charms and trinkets to their handbags, wallets, and purses—think miniature animals, fruits, musical instruments, and playful tassels. The aim is to give your luxury handbag a lived-in vibe by personalising it with meaningful mementoes or fun accessories. A prime example is Gigi Hadid’s yellow Miu Miu bag at the Deadpool vs. Wolverine premiere, styled with a Deadpool charm, I Heart NY tags, and red bracelets, perfectly illustrating how a personal touch makes a statement.

Bag charms took centre stage in the Spring/Summer 2025 collections, with brands like Coach, Versace, Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton, and Fendi showcasing their creative interpretations of this micro-trend. Versace featured fuzzy creatures and pastel beaded bracelets on their handbags, while

Fendi introduced a miniature version of their signature baguette on the latest iteration of the leather bag. Coach offers kitschy trinkets like a big apple, cherry, and Statue of Liberty charms, alongside tiny versions of its iconic Tabby bag. Meanwhile, Miu Miu’s baggy purses are embellished with oversized silk-satin pouches and brand tags, further emphasising this playful trend.

What resonates deeply with Gen Z about this micro-trend is embracing the DIY culture and a growing desire for personalisation in fashion. I enjoy collecting rhinestone keychains to decorate my mini bags, and my latest find is a snake charm, perfectly timed with Taylor Swift's upcoming (hopefully) announcement of the re-release of Reputation (Taylor’s version). Ultimately, bag charms — often called charmcore — are about wearing items that reflect your personality and interests. It may be cliché, niche, and sometimes a blend of cringe and tacky, but that makes the entire process fun.

If you don’t have a collection of random items or stickers, it’s time to decorate your handbag thoughtfully. Here is an ultimate guide to the best charms and keychains to dress up your bags this season and beyond.

Styling bag charms 101

Souvenirs All The Way

The easiest way to start styling your handbags would be by adding souvenir keychains, the ones that you buy at the airport before heading home. Mix all your keychains from different trips or themes. For instance, pair a beach-themed keychain with a cityscape one for a fun contrast, this can also add a sentimental value to your overall style.

Matching with the bag's colour

For a sleek and sophisticated style, select charms that are in similar shades to your bag. Different textures and materials can create visual interest without straying from the colour palette. If your bag is a neutral tone like black, white, or beige, you can play with bolder and bright-coloured charms to make a statement. Whereas, if your bag has an accent colour like stitching or lining, choose trinkets that match the same shade to create harmony.

Stacking and layering

To truly achieve that Jane Birkin-inspired look, layer and stack multiple charms for a maximalist effect. Start with a larger charm as the focal point and surround it with smaller ones for balance. Mixing different sizes will create a spectacular arrangement.

Theme centric

Another great way to enhance your bag with charms is by sticking to one theme or blending two. You can choose from themes like pop culture, travel, nature, seasons, food, fantasy, hobbies, retro, or personal milestones. For example, consider fall-themed charms, favourite series characters and quotes, mini monuments, mythical creatures, or vintage cameras. This creates a cohesive look!

Placement and balancing

When using several keychains, balance their weight and appearance to avoid overwhelming your bag. Attach charms to various areas, like the zipper pull, handle, or strap, to create dimension and visual interest. If one side feels too heavy, consider rearranging or removing a charm.

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