Lily Allen and Dua Lipa Are Backing the "Dated" Bag Charms Trend

published 7 April 2024

After several seasons dominated by "quiet luxury" and "clean girl" aesthetics, 2024 is set to see the reins loosened and the rule book discarded. Creeping in with the re-emergence of micro shorts and gladiator sandals is an accessory trend I always thought cheapened my look, but in actual fact, now I think it can give our outfits much more personality.

Ushered in by the Y2K and '10s nostalgia trends that fashion people are embracing this spring, we're starting to spot bag charms latched onto the handbags of some of the most stylish this season.

Lily Allen posed with a brown Hermes Birkin Bag that features lots of bag charms.

Offering a playful update on day-to-day styling, the bag-charm trend was rife across the early '10s as fashion people adorned their most prized possessions with fuzzy Fendi monsters and other such kitsch accoutrements. Falling out of favour by the latter half of the decade when pared-back styling took hold, unadorned bags then went on to enjoy their time in the sun.

However, it now seems that bag charms are back, and some of our favourite celebrities have been the first to embrace their return. Lily Allen and Dua Lipa have both been spotted adorning their Hermès Birkin bags with an array of charms and scarves within days of each other. Giving their pricey bags a relaxed and laidback dressing down, the embellishments juxtapose the elegance of the Hermès Birkin in a way that many of us mightn't dare compromise.

Dua Lipa styles a black Hermes Birkin bag with bag charms.

It's not just celebrities who have fallen for the trend. Bag charms were spotted up and down the runways this past season; woven into Balenciaga's S/S 24 collection and scattered across Simone Rocha's presentation, big-name designers are backing the growing trend, too. Made popular by model and actor Jane Birkin who frequently styled her namesake Hermès bag with a varying array of charms, this season, we expect to see the small but mighty trend adopted en masse.

Jane Birkin wears a black Hermes bag with bag charms.

To get ahead of the crowd, read on to shop our edit of the best bag charms to add to your arm candy—be it Hermès or H&M—below.

SHOP OUR BAG CHARM EDIT:

Mango

Key Ring Cherries

The easiest way to add a pop of red.

Oliver Bonas

Ombre Pink Heart Keyrings

This also comes in green.

ALAÏA

Le Cœur Cloche Mini Leather and Silver-Tone Keyring

Loop this around your bag or use it as a keyring.

Anya Hindmarch

Carmex Tasseled Textured-Leather Coin Purse

This doubles up as a coin purse.

Hermès

Rodeo Pegase MM Charm

Even if you can't quite afford a Birkin, you can still have a slice of Hermès.

Lulu Guinness

Ivory Shell Mini Collectible Charm

Clip this on to your favourite basket bag this summer.

Bimba Y Lola

Multicolor Blue Rope Key Ring

A playful way to liven up your favourite accessory.

Loewe

Shrimp Charm in Classic Calfskin

Loewe has so many fun bag charms to choose from.

Miu Miu

Leather, Cord and Metal Trick

This can attach to both sides of a bag handle.

Stella McCartney

Origami Elephant Alter Mat Bag Charm

This origami elephant is crafted from vegan leather.

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Natalie Munro is Who What Wear UK’s news writer and has worked in the fashion industry since she graduated with a degree in Journalism from the University of the Arts London. Natalie’s experience in the industry spans journalistic and styling roles that have seen her work for publications including British Vogue, Conde Nast Traveller, Vogue Ukraine, AnOther Magazine and Elle UK.

With an interest in uncovering the latest fashion trends, Natalie takes a leading role in identifying news for Who What Wear UK. Reporting on a daily basis, Natalie focuses on trends on and off the runway, as well as street style and celebrity fashion. Natalie also creates content for Who What Wear’s social channels including TikTok and Instagram on a weekly basis.