Am I Too Old for the Bag Charms Trend?
2024 has been the year of the bag charm. Fashionista was one of the first to report on the bag charm trend, back in January 2024. Referencing Jane Birkin's manner of how she adorned her namesake bag, TikTokkers call it #janebirkinifyingbag and share videos of how they decorate their purses with keychains, strands of beads, bracelets, charms, and more.
Coach's revival with bags designed to accommodate chains and baubles (and their own branded bag accessories) has finally made bag charms mainstream. I know I am not the only grown-ass woman who finds this concept fun, but I am also wondering, am I too old for the bag charms trend?
Am I Too Old for the Bag Charms Trend?
In a word, no. No, you are not too old for the bag charms trend. I don't care if you're 29 or 99, this is a really cool trend that can be done at any age and look cool, stylish, and elevated or fun, creative, and badass.
If you're ready to dive in head first into the bag charm trend, you can X out of this article right now and do it on your terms, your way, and I bet it will look amazing. But if you want some suggestions on how to do the bag charm trend as a grown-ass woman, I'll share my thoughts below.
How to Accessorize Your Bag as a Grown-ass Woman
As grown-ass women, we only do the trends that appeal to us, and we always make sure that trend provides us with comfort and joy. There's nothing more chic than confidence, and it's tacky to embrace a trend that doesn't feel right or fun. If the bag charm trend sounds noisy or heavy or complicated or a recipe for shoplifting, snagging your clothes, or any other negative thought, don't do it.
I didn't embrace this trend when it became popular this summer. But as bag accessories have gained popularity, they have also gained a variety of aesthetics and pricepoints. Not needing to be designer to be cool, I dig the idea of sifting through your jewelry box or the aisles of Michael's to personalize your bag, even on a budget.
The Best Bags for Accessorizing in 2024
Personally, I think the key to accessorizing your bag as a grown-ass woman is to have a stellar foundation. That means the bag needs to be really good.
This does not mean you need an actual Birkin to Jane Birkinify your bag, but you want a bag with some size and structure and one that is designed to be carried in your hand and/or over your shoulder. It doesn't have to be designer, and it doesn't have to be new, but it needs to have a silhouette and look that is a bit more elevated (AKA not your BAGGU crescent bag or my unlined leather tote).
Satchels, totes, bowler bags, mini duffels like the Louis Vuitton Speedy—these are bags with structure and an elegant shape, as well as plenty of straps and hardware to clip on chains and charms. While most bags are black or brown or dark red, you will see other colors too and as we head into spring, far more raffia/straw and canvas bags.
Shop the collage:
navy | black | dark red | cream | dark gray suede | teal | light green | dark green | gray
Shop the Best Bags for Accessorizing
- The Coach “Brooklyn” is an extremely popular bag this season to wear plain, or to adorn. It has sturdy shoulder straps as well as a ring on one side to use to hang your decoration. The Brooklyn 28 is more of a shoulderbag while the Brooklyn 39 is more like a tote/larger. There is a Brooklyn 23, but I personally think it's too small for accessorizing.
- The Coach “Lana” is also a popular choice for decorating
- The Miu Miu “Beau” is NOT a cheap bag, but it's a good shape to look for when shopping for a new bag to accessorize.
- If you are a statement bag kind of person, the Brahmin “Small Finley” comes in amazing colors and the brand's iconic croco finish. With the gold hardware connecting the handles and the charm ring, you have a lot of ways to connect charms and chains.
- If you prefer a smaller bag, the Fossil “Carlie” satchel is a nice choice. Remove the crossbody strap and have a hook on either side for charms. I recommend shopping Fossil at Macy's where the brand is often on sale cheaper than the Fossil site.
- Leatherology is a great place for a classic style of bag at a reasonable price; the “Park Satchel” evokes the vibes of the designer bags b being decorated this season without trying to be a “dupe.” You can also get it monogrammed to up the personalization factor.
- The Sak's “Jasmine” large bag and “Jasmine” smaller bag are nice sustainable choices. Both are made from premium leather from a Leather Working Group Gold-rated certified tannery with REPREVE lining made from recycled materials, including plastic bottles. And ALISON10 gets you 10% off sitewide.
Vintage and Already-owned Bags Perfect for Accessorizing
This is a great trend for bags already in your closet. Do you still have that Fossil or Dooney & Bourke satchel or a Louis Vuitton Speedy or Neverfull? Maybe you bought one of those larger Balenciaga City Bags in the 2000s or have a classic Coach top handle bag or a vintage bowler bag. Come spring, this is a great way to jazz up your raffia totes and L.L.Bean/Lands' End canvas boat totes.
This is also a great trend for those bags you still love but have cosmetic defects. Ink stain? Scuffed edge? Missing zipper pulls? The bag charm trend will not only cover it up, but make it cool a la Jane Birkin's extremely well-worn totes.
Shop the collage:
Eiffel Tower | gold initial | stack of books | dinosaur | owl | Little Brown Bag | beaded chain | orange-shaped AirTag holder | beaded letter | leather “cherries” | gold zodiac coin | chili pepper | multi-item dangle | tortoise link chain
What Bag Charms are Best for Grown Women?
What's great about this trend is it's as personalized and quirky as all the charm/keychain/embellishment trends we've already lived through. Whether it was a Sterling silver or gold charm bracelet, a plastic charm necklace, a zillion buttons and/or patches on your denim or leather jacket, or 500 keychains and scopes hooked together hanging off your backpack, what makes it cool is a mix of classic, trendy, and quirky fitting your personality and interests.
No need to buy the expensive designer bag charms, but I also do not recommend buying the dupes on Amazon or Etsy. A few ways I've seen bags decorated in a cool and not expensive way:
- On TikTok, I saw a woman who took her childhood charm bracelet and hooked it around her bag handle. It was all silver charms on a navy leather satchel and it was elegant and likely made a pretty tinkling noise as she walked. It's smart to double-secure precious and heavy items on your bags by tying through the chain to the bag strap or interior.
- I saw one person who clearly had a Coach bag collection who took all the leather tags on the bead chains that come with each Coach purse and linked them all together to hang off her new Coach “Brooklyn.”
- Do you still have your 80s keychains? Along with a gold chain and an elegant charm, why not add a scope from your trip to the beach or an amusement park. Rock your mall bangs with pride!
- The removable chain strap on your clutch purse can look darn chic on your leather bag, and it's a good place to attach charms.
- You will see folks add ribbon to their bags tied in a bow, or decorated with pony beads or pins and brooches
- Visit Michael's! Michael's has a whole section of jewelry-making supplies and charms.
- I went by recently, and Michael's has a brand called bead landing that carries gold and silver lobster clasps, split rings (mini keychain rings) and screw closures that look like mini carabiners. These can connect charms and keychains and handmade doo-dads to bag hardware or chains
- Speaking of chains, Michael's offers spools of gold and silver chain, as well as pre-measured chains (and some are gold plated).
- Instead of chain, you can get a length of beads or make a length of beads and add clasps to the ends to hook to your bag strap or hardware.
- Paracord has been a popular bag trend in the past few seasons. YouTube has many tutorials on how to knot paracord and you can make a dangly charm or even a knotted “chain” or strap to attach to your bag.
- I've also seen old-school gimp/plastic lacing keychains, as well as leather versions of the same being sold at retailers (example); why not make your own?
Will You Try the Bag Charms Trend?
This is not a trend for everyone, and this isn't a trend that will last for years to come. However, it is one that is fun, accessible, and a nice switch from Quiet Luxury and the Land of Beige Fashion. Is it a trend you would consider? And if you have any other questions on how to do the bag charm trend, let me know in the comments and I will reply back as soon as possible!
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I don’t use the bag charms, but my midlife crisis is buying cute/happy things that spark my joy. It was that or a boyfriend, and I don’t think my husband would appreciate that. Life is short so buy what makes you happy!
Love this Tina!
I’m liking this, as it seems like a fun way to add a bit of personality to an otherwise neutral bag. I always switch to a black Cole Haan tote for fall/winter, and that might be a good bag to try out this trend!
Oh, I think this may be perfect for my Brahmin bags. Right now, I’m carrying one that already has a Brahmin rose on it (I think it’s called the Louise Rose). Now, to get to Michaels and figure out what would look best and not look like I just looped a bunch of beads together and attached them to my bag. While minimal is not my style at all, I think, in this case, minimal would definitely be more what I’m aiming for. I also wonder about the wear and tear of the bag with those charms and chains banging against it. I love the idea, but can I figure out how to do it? That is the question!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
It’s always fun to have a new creative way to express yourself! Thanks for sharing this new idea!
Are all crossbody bags NOT appropriate for this trend? I have the Quince crescent crossbody and a Clare V camera bag. They’re not super slouchy, but they don’t have the structure as the ones you showed. Cheers – Katie
I’ve seen bags like that charmed out but I think it’s key to keep it more minimal so you don’t have all this jangling at your hip.
I’m really excited to try this trend – think I’m going to pull out a few of my old scarves from the late 00s-early 10s and wrap one of the handles on my Dagne Dover tote.
Great article! I typically stick to only one charm but I do think the trend is fun and lighthearted.
Also, love that Coach is having a revival of sorts. I received my first bag as a HS graduation gift in 1995. Twenty nine years and MANY bags later and I’m still a fan!
I remember when Coach was considered a luxury bag, and for a while, I think it slipped into just so-so. But my Coach bags have all held up beautifully. And now they don’t seem so expensive to me!
And just a shout out that a Fossil bag I think Alison recommended with crescent bags has become my every day bag. It’s just the right size and very comfortable to carry.
I have a medium sized black Kate Spade bag, that I can use as a crossbody with a long strap included, or remove and use as hand held with the attached shorter strap. Years of professional photography and carrying gear on my shoulder has left my neck and shoulder with pinched nerves, so I’d rather use as a crossbody. I’d like to add a scarf to ass personality, as well as better coordinate for the seasons. How do I do this? I have a Betsy Johnson camera charm that’s perfect-would it look ‘weird’ using my bag as a crossbody?
If you’re doing the scarf and one charm I think it will work; I think the very accessorized can look bulky and messy as a crossbody but these two would be cute.
Love this article! I have a Rebecca Minkoff bag on the smaller size and it’s perfect to hang one of these! Great way to make your purse more unique and fun.
I love the idea of this. I remember having a purple paisley satchel with adorable charms adorning it (around 2008). But now all those charms add weight to my bag. And these days, I need my bag to be as lightweight as possible.
A great point as this does add weight!
THIS is why I read Wardrobe Oxygen! At 52, I was asking myself this very question. Thank you for the info and ideas!
Sloppy, Cheap, Trashy. Not the look I’m going for.
And as I mentioned in the post, then don’t do it. And don’t yuck the yum of others ❤️
I’ll have to check this out. I’ve been trying to attach a campaign button to my purse but the canvas is too heavy to pin thru & the strap is too wide.
& thank you for the over view of some of this season’s purses. The Brooklyn caught my eye & moss/olive Le Sak *really* caught my eye. I’ve been looking for a color like that for fall.