Why do we want to hang these tiny works of art on our bags?
By Aliyah Difia Rahma
Bag charms are new fashion accessories Credit: Aliyah Difia Rahma
Trends come and go, and more often than not, sell specific products. In these last few years, it’s the Polene bags and the Adidas Sambas that are on everyone’s hands and feet respectively. However, it seems like the fashion world is obsessed with certain accessories; bag charms.
Bag charms have existed for years – but only today is fashion starting to understand their power.
According to an article from Vogue Business, bag charms are the new luxury entry point for customers, as they want a much more affordable product they can carry. Brands understand the demand from their customer and act upon it by making small accessories to fulfil the growing demand.
Individuality
Bag charms represent the current fashion zeitgeist. They can be an extension of our clothes, a personal statement, or a symbol of how we want to present ourselves to others.
Ellie Du, a full-time student from Finsbury Park, said that her bag charms are a way for her to express her individuality.
“Imagine how boring (my bag) if I didn’t have anything … it would just not be very customised and
personal,” said Du.
Ellie Du’s personal charm collection with cute animals. Credit: Aliyah Difia Rahma.
Du added that some charms are for safety’s sake as well. For example, her parents gave her a holographic bag charm that lights up at night time.
Bag charms as a safety measure. Credit: Aliyah Difia Rahma
Another bag charm collector, Chow Cathrine from Holborn, has been collecting bag charms since 2024. She said that she often decorates her charms with clothes and accessories as well.
“I initially collected them not as bag charms. It’s more like collectibles … hang them on my wall and my table,” Catherine said.
“Eventually, I’m like, you know what? It’s a waste because nobody (the bag charms) is getting seen.”
Labubu Macaroon series from Pop Mart. Credit: Aliyah Difia Rahma
Trendy or personalised fashion?
Being trendy prompts many to purchase bag charms in order to be relatable but many felt that they were just offering a chance of expressing themselves in one way or another.
“I think the trend prompt me to buy, but at the same time, if I buy it then I must like it…I only buy charms that I like,” said Catherine.
She added that she’s not someone who’s that stylish but she tries to match the charms with her bags, or her life. She puts a charm on her luggage that ties in to her University major.
“So this Skullpanda, this specific model, is a mediator. So in law we have arbitration mediation, basically alternative resolution,” Catherine said.
Skullpanda mediator model from Pop Mart. Credit: Aliyah Difia Rahma
“I think they somehow lift your mood, especially when you’re feeling down maybe. When you’re in rush in the Tube as well … at least I have a little (bag charm) with me,” Catherine continued.
Du, who has been collecting charms since she was seven years old, felt that they made all of her bags uniquely hers.
“If I own something, I wanted it to be very obviously mine, like I see it and I know it’s mine,” she said.
Now bag charms are everywhere. No matter how you choose to accessorise, it’s always good to stay true to your personal style.
Leave a Reply