It was a very common practice in the 2010s to personalize accessories, and it now seems to conquer all fashion enthusiasts. The first to have adopted it? Jane Birkin, obviously.
A retro wind seems to be blowing over fashion and more particularly on accessory trends since the end of summer. Indeed, for a few months now, influencers and celebrities have been revealing themselves adorned with seventies-inspired silhouettes, doped with suede bags or even headscarves. The latest craze that has not failed to catch our eye: this atypical way of twisting your handbag for an assumed vintage style.
A late icon of the seventh art, Jane Birkin has always been appreciated for her authentic fashion flair.The former fan of the sixties” has, during her life, launched many trends, without necessarily wanting to. Starting with the wicker basket, which she dared to wear on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, the total transparent look by Paco Rabanne or even the babydoll dress. Lately, it is her way of personalizing her handbag that has returned to the forefront of seasonal trends.
“I always hang things on my bags because I don’t like them to look like other people’s bags.“, declared Jane Birkin in the 2010s. Attached to her singularity, the actress is regularly seen with the bag to which she gave her name, the Birkin bag by Hermès, then covered in various charms such as pearls, pendants or ribbons. This set of embellishments, called “bag charms” in English, are a way of appropriating the now iconic model of the French house. If this fashion trick experienced a wave of popularity during the late 2010s, it was very quickly abandoned in favor of more neutral aesthetics.
And yet, contrary to the “quiet luxury” style that shook the 2024 fashion collections, here are the bag charms are making a comeback for Fall 2024-2025. Spotted on the runways of the Miu Miu and Coach Fall/Winter 2024-2025 shows, as well as on the accessories of the guests of Copenhagen Fashion Week, charms are infused everywhere and boost all looks for a playful and retro look. The goal is simple, you just have to accumulate various trinkets on your usual bag, no matter how fanciful they may be. For their part, celebrities like Dua Lipa and Anne Hathaway have already succumbed to them.
As for the rules to follow to get on board with the trend, rest assured, there are none. Stuffed animals, broken necklaces, all kinds of lucky charms and flirtatious bows… All elements are allowed to enhance your bags to infinity.
So don’t hesitate to use your imagination to create your perfect combination!