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THE CHARM TREND: WHY PEOPLE ARE DECORATING THEIR BAGS

Updated: Sep 26

In recent years, personalising bags with charms has become a major trend. From designer handbags to everyday totes, people are using charms to express their individuality and make their accessories truly unique. But what’s driving this trend?


A woman holds a Louis Vuitton handbag adorned with charms and other trinkets

For many, it’s about storytelling. A charm can reflect a memory, a favourite hobby, or even a loved one. Adding charms to a bag allows people to blend luxury with personal meaning, turning a simple accessory into something distinctly theirs.


Some say that this trend harks back to Jane Birkin, the iconic muse behind the Hermès Birkin bag. Known for customising her bags with everything from stickers to lucky charms, Birkin embodied the idea that luxury and personal style should go hand in hand. Her casual, effortlessly chic approach to fashion showed that high-end accessories don't need to be pristine or untouched—they can, and perhaps should, be lived in.


Jane Birkin’s approach to her iconic Hermès Birkin bag was refreshingly casual, and it is this irreverent attitude that has inspired many to adorn their own handbags with charms. Unlike the pristine image typically associated with high-end designer bags, Birkin’s philosophy was more about function and personal expression. She famously treated her Birkin bag as a practical, everyday accessory—scuffing it, overfilling it, and most notably, decorating it with an assortment of personal charms.


Birkin would attach everything from souvenirs from her travels to whimsical trinkets, turning her luxurious Hermès piece into something deeply personal and meaningful. It wasn’t just about fashion; it was about creating a bag that reflected her life and experiences. These charms, often sentimental or symbolic, brought a sense of playfulness to the structured elegance of the Birkin, and this combination of high fashion with personal flair resonated with fans around the world.

Her use of charms has since become emblematic of a broader trend in fashion, one that encourages personalization and storytelling through accessories. People are increasingly drawn to the idea of mixing luxury with personal elements, just as Jane did with her charms. Her influence has shaped the idea that luxury should feel lived-in, imperfect, and full of character—a far cry from the traditionally polished image of a designer handbag.


Jane Birkin holding her eponymous and iconic Hermes Birking bag decorated with charms and filled with personal effects

This blend of practicality, individuality, and charm is a key part of why people today feel inspired to decorate their own bags in a similar way. Jane Birkin didn’t just inspire a style; she inspired a philosophy around fashion that celebrates the beauty of personalization and imperfection.


Today, charms add an element of playfulness and creativity to a handbag. Whether it's a classic leather tote or a luxury designer piece, people are embracing the opportunity to showcase their personality in this subtle yet stylish way. Just like Jane Birkin, it’s about taking something luxurious and making it your own.


We have many bags that would work perfectly for this trend! Shop our designer bag catalog now!


A woman holding a brown leather Miu Miu handbag that is stuffed with her personal effects

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