While bag charms are an accessory trend we’ve seen before, they’re having a moment this season. The fashion for embellishing It-bags with adornments, whether kitsch hearts, smiley faces or fuzzy animals were seen on the SS24 runway and now celebrities are in on the act, with Lily Allen and Dua Lipa both ‘Jane Birkin-ifying’ their bags. Here’s our edit of the best bag charms to personalise your tote for summer. Charmed, we’re sure.
When Lily Allen recently shared photos of herself at the airport on Instagram, it wasn’t her Miu Miu denim two-piece which caught our attention – but rather the bag charms adorning her Birkin bag. The singer has joined the growing nostalgia trend for embellishing It-bags with cute, often kitsch, charms and keychains. But if there’s a true originator of the trend, it has to be the English-French style icon Jane Birkin, who often added her own personal touch to her namesake Hermès bag with ribbons, stickers and trinkets.
Of course where Ms Birkin leads, the fashion set follows and bag charms are firmly back for Spring/Summer 2024. At Miu Miu, bags were embellished with monogrammed chains and colourful cables and Balenciaga added lockets, keys and chains to theirs; while Simone Rocha’s SS24 bags came with extra beaded pearls and ribbon flowers.
Balenciaga
Rodeo Large Handbag with charms
£8,500
At Aspinal of London, you can take the personalisation of your bag one step further by adding your initials to their Heart Mirror handbag charm. While accessories designer Anya Hindmarch brings a playful twist to the trend, with bag charms designed around British sweet brands and classic household goods. Indeed, it’s her quirky packet of Nurofen tablets bag charm we can see adorning Lily’s green Birkin. Another pop sensation Dua Lipa has also been spotted with an array of baubles accessorising her Birkin bag, proving the ‘Jane Birkification’ effect lives on. Here’s our edit of the best bag charms to buy now to instantly update any handbag.
The Glossary Edit
Bag charms
Mahren J
Apple Leather Bag Charm
£54
Stella McCartney
Origami Elephant Bag Charm
£175
