Janitor-style keychains and rope-and-chain clusters first made a splash at Balenciaga’s and Miu Miu’s spring 2024 shows, respectively. Then, Coach’s oversized pretzel-, apple-, and taxi-shaped charms jangled down the brand’s New York-themed autumn 2024 runway. The cutesy look was soon adopted by fashion insiders as a street-style mainstay and given the seal of approval by celebrities like Gigi Hadid and Dua Lipa.
This trend comes at a time when style personalisation and mood-boosting fashion are on the rise. While bag charms aren’t new — people have been adorning outfits with scarves, keychains, and memorabilia for years, with Jane Birkin being a notable example for the way she decorated her Hermès namesake with personal tokens — the recent wave of the maximalist fashion movement has inspired more individuality in fashion than in years past.
Now, brands are selling everything from micro replicas of popular bags (could it get more meta?), adorable fruit and plush toys, intricately beaded trinkets, and even mini Eiffel Towers and Lady Liberties to customise our handbags to our heart’s content. Whether you’re looking to max out your favourite handbag or to add just a couple darling additions, scroll on to find 18 bag-and-charm combinations for every fashion aesthetic.
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Fruit Bag Charms
Skip the food shop with a shimmery cherry and pastel-coloured strawberry charm, or a gradient peach pouch. Stack multiple fruit and vegetable styles to get one of your five-a-day.
Free People Cherry Bag Charm, $, available at Free People
Free People Quilted Carryall Bag, $, available at Free People
Maison de Sabré Sabrémoji Fruit Charm, $, available at FWRD
Staud Valerie Shoulder Bag, $, available at FWRD
Animal Bag Charms
Celebrate your pet or your love for all creatures with an animal-shaped bag charm. Shop beaded, leather, or mixed-material buddies, which range from cats and dogs to birds and farm animals. Yes, teddy bears and rubber duckies count as well.
Susan Alexandra Ducky Bag Charm Keychain, $, available at Shopbop
Madewell Micro Hobo Chain Bag, $, available at Shopbop
Tory Burch Sheep Key Fob, $, available at Tory Burch
Tory Burch Romy Bucket Bag, $, available at Tory Burch
Bag Replica Charms
In the meta world we live in, bag brands are creating tiny charm replicas of their most popular models… which you can hang on to their life-sized versions. It may sound ridiculous, but the big-and-mini combo creates the cutest vibe that you can’t not smile at.
Marc Jacobs The Cheetah Nano Tote Bag Charm, $, available at Farfetch
Marc Jacobs The Small Color Tote bag, $, available at Farfetch
Baggu Pink Crescent Bag Charm, $, available at Urban Outfitters
Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag, $, available at Urban Outfitters
Assortment Bag Charms
If you’re the type who can never make a decision (or simply want all the things) look for pre-made clusters of charms. Handmade vintage assortments will add character to any handbag, while a themed bunch will take the coordination out of your hands.
Coach Small New York Cluster Bag Charm Keychain, $, available at Shopbop
Coach Denim Hamptons Hobo, $, available at Shopbop
Anthropologie City Bag Charm, $, available at Anthropologie
Anthropologie Tall Bucket Bag, $, available at Anthropologie
Initial Bag Charms
Personalise your go-to bag with initial charms (or add a cluster of letters for your entire family). Pick colourful designs or unexpected fonts for a more interesting pairing. And the bigger the better for the maximalists among us.
BONBONWHIMS Pillow Puff Leather Bag Charm, $, available at BONBONWHIMS
JW PEI Lily Vegan Leather Shoulder Bag, $, available at John Lewis
Anthropologie Bubble Letter Monogram Bag Charm, $, available at Anthropologie
H&M Pocket-Detail Crossbody Bag, $, available at H&M
Beaded Bag Charms
For a bag charm that can double as a jewellery piece, opt for a beaded style. Match one or two beads to your bag for an organic pairing or mismatch the colours for a contrasting statement look.
COS Beaded Leather Bag Charm, $, available at COS
COS Studio Bowling Bag, $, available at COS
Éliou Pecher Bag Charm, $, available at Éliou
Charles & Keith Calla Tote Bag, $, available at Charles & Keith
Luxury Bag Charms
Invest in a charm from your favourite fashion house for a luxe addition you can attach to the existing designer bags in your collection. Best of all, you’ll know that the quality is the best of the best. Monogrammed tags add a special touch, while practical pouches that can double as clutches get you more bang for your buck.
Louis Vuitton My Monogram Layers Bag Charm, $, available at Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton Slouchy PM Bag, $, available at Louis Vuitton
Chloé Sphere Mini Bracelet Dice Bracelet Charm, $, available at Chloé
Chloé Bracelet Embellished Leather Shoulder Bag, $, available at Net-A-Porter
Plush Bag Charms
From tiny stuffed bears to ultra-girly pom-poms, connect to your inner child with a plush bag charm. Go the extra mile and pair yours with a furry handbag, too.
Jellycat Smudge Bear Soft Bag Charm, $, available at Selfridges
Whistles Bibi Metallic-Leather Cross-Body Bag, $, available at Selfridges
Zara Pompom Multi Charm Keychain, $, available at Zara
Zara Faux Fur Bucket Bag, $, available at Zara
Novelty Bag Charms
What’s better than a bag charm that sums up your personality? From glittery bubble tea to doll-sized chocolate bars, trust us: There’s a novelty charm out there for everyone.
String Ting Limited Edition Ice Tea Bag Ting, $, available at String Ting
Mango Croc-Effect Bag, $, available at Mango
Anya Hindmarch Anya Brands Kit Kat Charm, $, available at Liberty London
All Saints Ezra Rec Cross-Body Bag, $, available at Next
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