In 2024, charms emerged as the ultimate fashion accessory. Little tchotchkes shaped like our favourite foods, zodiac signs, and animals became signifiers of personal style, dangling from our bags, phones, tumblers, and so on. They proliferated on runways, were seen at fashion weeks across the world, were liked and shared on social media feeds, and were sold everywhere from high-end luxury department stores to niche Instagram shops. The craze for hangable knick-knacks grew so much that Balenciaga now sells versions of its most popular bag styles (Le Cagole, Le Mini City, and the Rodeo) with a readymade assortment of charms. Prada and Coach, too, offer handbags that come adorned with removable ornaments.
Having a bauble attached to a bag is one thing, but this year, the trend gradually crept into the most mundane items. We’ve seen beaded strings hanging from phones and AirPod cases, keyrings attached to Stanley tumblers and even clipped to the crimped ends of lip balm tubes. We’ve also seen charms intertwined with ribbons and shoelaces in sneakers. Jibbitz on Crocs and custom jewels for Birkins are further proof that no item is too ordinary or too special to escape this trend.
Earlier this year, eyewear brand Gentle Monster released a limited-edition collaboration (now sold out) with K-pop singer Jennie Kim which featured sunglasses with detachable charms in the shape of capybaras, hearts, and bows. In July, homegrown brand Fae Beauty launched charm keyrings for its Peptide Glaws gloss. The same month, Gigi Hadid wore a head-to-toe Miu Miu look from the collection that started it all to the Deadpool & Wolverine world premiere in New York. A die-hard String Ting fan, she accessorised her purse with touristy paraphernalia and a Deadpool keychain. At the Olympics in August, shooter Kim Ye-ji went viral for having her daughter’s elephant plushie charm dangling from her waistband.
