Bag Charms 101: The Trend & How to Style It

A Shift Towards Personalisation

At its core, the bag-charm trend is all about expressing yourself freely. It gives you the freedom to create something that showcases your unique personality in fun and unexpected ways. With so many types of charms to choose from, the combinations are truly endless. Someone may be carrying the same bag as you, but it is your very own combination of charms that brings that personal touch and makes it uniquely yours.

The Rise of Maximalist Fashion and Dopamine Dressing

After seasons of being dominated by the clean-girl aesthetic and quiet luxury, we are now seeing a maximalist revival. Fashion is once again embracing the bold, the colourful and the whimsical. From sparkly embellishments to bows and prints, we are putting the fun back into fashion. This goes hand in hand with dopamine dressing, which is all about wearing clothes and accessories that boost your mood — and bag charms fit right into this feel-good category of fashion. Their whimsical, nostalgic and colourful designs make them the perfect pieces to uplift your spirits.

A Little Treat

The rise of the ‘little treat’ culture has seen more people indulging in small purchases that bring them comfort and joy. Bag charms — at their affordable price points — perfectly fit this mindset, making them an especially popular indulgence. They are also a great way to spruce up your existing bags without having to buy a new one, as adding a bag charm instantly changes the look of your bag.

Start with one statement charm  

For those who are just starting out, always begin with one statement charm. Whether it is a blind-box character or an oversized charm in your favourite motif, let it be the focal point of the bag. A statement charm pairs especially well with neutral bags, where it will stand out instantly the moment you clip it on.

Layer multiple bag charms

Ready to take your bag-charm game up a notch? Try mixing and matching two to three charms to create a playful yet considered stack. The key is to vary their sizes and lengths so that every detail remains visible without looking visually cluttered.

Start with a large plush charm, add a smaller and wider charm before completing your stack with a slim dangling charm for a set that feels balanced and thoughtful. Consolidate your charms on a single attachment point of the bag. If you have a larger bag, you can consider having two sets of bag charms, one set hanging from each end of the handle.

Play with colours  

Colour is another easy starting point when it comes to creating your own bag-charm ensemble. Consider whether you want the colours to complement or contrast with one another. Tonal colour pairings create a complementary finish, while contrasting colours make your charms stand out against your bag.

Tonal Pairing  

Choose charms in the same colour or colour family as your bag. Play around with different shades and tones to create dimension while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. For example, you can pair a brown bag with tan or beige charms, or a burgundy bag with cherry-red or pink charms.

Contrasting Colours 

If you want your bag charms to stand out, creating a high-contrast combination is the way to go. We recommend looking at opposing colours on the colour wheel — for example, red and green or blue and orange. Another foolproof combination is a black bag with white or silver charms, for a monochromatic finish.

Mix Textures and Materials  

Mixing different textures and materials creates visual interest that makes your bag-charm combination feel even more distinctive and eye-catching. For example, you can pair a dark-denim bag with dainty beaded charms, a canvas bag with polished metallic charms, or a smooth leather bag with plush charms to create unexpected textural contrast.

Consider The Size & Shape of Your Bag  

The size of your bag and charms matters. As a general guide, larger bags and totes pair well with big charms, while compact bags pair better with small charms.

This does not mean you cannot attach an oversized plush charm to a mini bag — the exaggerated proportions can make a playful statement. However, a large charm can easily overwhelm a smaller silhouette, so consider making one statement piece the focal point and avoid adding too many charms. Larger bags also offer more attachment points and space, giving you more room to clip on multiple charms without the result looking too cluttered.

The Minimalist  

For the minimalists, simplicity is key — one bag charm is really all you need. Sleek designs in monochromatic colour schemes will add personality to your bags without being distracting. If you prefer neutrals but still want something that stands out, consider bag charms in a distinctive shape or a textured finish.

The Maximalist   

For the maximalist, the more the merrier. Think: bold colours, sparkles, prints and unconventional combinations for maximum style impact. You can mix and match multiple bag charms in different textures, shapes and materials, drape them over one another, or even pair them with an embellished bag to create an outstanding combination that will be the focal point of your entire look.

The Girly Girl    

If you lean towards a girly aesthetic, plush-figure charms are a perfect choice. Other motifs, like hearts or bows, are equally dainty and feminine options. Consider combining all of them together: a bear plush charm, a heart charm and a pearl-ribbon charm for the ultimate girly-girl stack.

The Cool Girl     

You’re not afraid to stand out from the crowd. You’re all about incorporating edgy elements and unexpected details. Bag charms that feature bold animal prints, metallics and irreverent motifs will be right up your alley. They’ll imbue your outfit with a cool, alternative factor.

How many bag charms should you put on your bag? 

There is no definitive rule for how many bag charms you can put on your bag. Having said that, it is important to consider the overall visual placement and proportion of your bag charms in relation to the size and silhouette of your bag. You should also consider the combined weight of your charms, especially if you are carrying several at once. You’ll want to avoid adding unnecessary weight and strain on your shoulders.

Where should you put a bag charm? 

Choose a secure attachment point on your bag to hang your charms. This could be the bag’s D-ring, handle or zipper pull. In addition, you can also add your own strap loop or carabiner to keep all your bag charms in one place.

What are the most popular type of bag charms?   

Some of the most popular types of bag charms include collectable, blind-box character charms and plush charms. Functional bag charms are just as popular, ranging from micro pouches that offer extra storage space to convertible charms that double up as reusable totes. Lastly, personalised bag charms are also incredibly popular. These designs typically feature a mix of character charms along with an assortment of beads and initial charms, or a combination of trinkets that hold special meaning to the wearer — each piece is truly one of a kind.