Bag charms are officially one of the biggest fall fashion trends—and I couldn’t be happier about it. You might associate these whimsical accessories with Jane Birkin, who famously adorned her bags with tokens she collected throughout her life, and now absolutely everyone is getting in on the accessorizing of accessories. From chic chains draped on handles to colorfully campy keychains, these tiny adornments have been spotted on the arms of models strutting down the runway at shows like Coach, Fendi, Miu Miu, and more. And off the runway, bag charms have been trending on TikTok, where they’re proving that even the tiniest detail can elevate an entire outfit. Seriously, Jane Birkin-ifying your bags has become the ultimate fall bag trend to add a little personality to your favorite purse or tote.
Let’s be so for real, fashion has been a bit exhausting lately. With trend cycles rising and falling so rapidly, it’s increasingly difficult to keep up with every single microtrend that pops up (...and it's very unnecessary in my book). More and more people are opting out of this unsustainable route and focusing instead on fine-tuning their own personal style. That's why bag charms seem to really be meeting people where they are—switching up a little something about their look with a small accessory instead of changing up the entire vibe. I love!
Whether it be with a quirky set of charms from Coach, a colorful scarf, or even an Eras Tour friendship bracelet upcycled as a bag charm, accessorizing bags you already own with cute knickknacks feels like an IRL, portable scrapbook that tells a story—and isn’t that what fashion is all about? The charms you choose and how you adorn them on your bag help you express, well, you, and I’m so here for it. (P.S. Seems like Dua is too!)
In case you didn't know already, the handles are probably the most important factor in accessorizing any bag. You can wrap a scarf around them, drape a chain between them (that then you can connect other charms to!). You can also loop keychains on their base. People tend to either totally coordinate with their bag's color scheme (aka following the same color palette in all the add ons, including matching the metal hardware) or not paying attention to that part at all and instead favoring any little bit and bob that speaks to their personality. You can go ultra luxe and curated with designer keychains and fobs, or DIY it! No matter which aesthetic feels more you, we've got a great assortment of pics to get started below! Happy accessorizing, everyone!
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Daisy Maldonado is an editor who covers everything from the latest fashion news to deeper looks at beauty culture and the internet’s most talked-about pop culture moments. She’s especially interested in the intersection of style and digital culture, and loves exploring what the trends we follow say about us. When she’s not writing, she’s probably four pages deep on The RealReal searching for vintage designer pieces or planning her next trip abroad (she lived in Paris for a year and hasn’t stopped talking about it since). Her work has appeared in Vogue, Bustle, Allure, and many more.
