For more of the Cut’s favorite fashion, beauty, and home finds, sign up for the weekly Cut Shop Newsletter.
When style icon Jane Birkin wasn’t pairing a basket bag with flared denim, she was frequently seen with a black Birkin. It was often overflowing, packed to the brim, and more than gently used. Chic. Hanging on the handle of the bag that costs roughly thousands of dollars, she usually had a watch, beads, tassels, and charms. Years later, this art of accessorizing bags (Birkin or not) has affectionately been dubbed Birkin-ifying.
It’s an easy but effective form of self-expression and personal style, and it’s not just a product of your TikTok algorithm: Birkin-ified bags have been seen on the runways at Balenciaga, Coach, and Miu Miu.
When it comes to Birkin-ifying your bag, there are no rules or limits on how you can accessorize your accessories. Ribbons, watches, charms — you can start anywhere. But to help you save some time, we’ve rounded up some of our favorites. Read on to shop our picks.
The Best Bag Charms
Summery and fun, this bedazzled strawberry makes a statement on its own but is cute and light enough to pair with other charms without weighing down my bag.
Another of my current bag accessories: this rhinestone heart. Like the strawberry, it’s enough to make a statement
Cute and colorful, String Ting is a good option for the maximalist. The charms are perfect for pairing with multiple beaded “bag ting” chains.
Coach has several bag charms that vary in style and material, but we’re partial to this chain charm with some of the brand’s popular motifs, including teeny little cherries and the C monogram.
Beaded charms to match your beaded bags and everything else. The brand offers a variety of glittery glass-bead charms, including a rose, a heart, and different animals you can clip onto your bag or keys.
Minimal and affordable — start here if you’re easing into layering your bag charms.
If you need an idea for a cute, functional, and nostalgic bag charm, fashion-news writer Danya Issawi keeps a Tamagotchi on her bag. The electronic pet game is available in over 30 colors and patterns and is just under $20 so you can accessorize with a few.
If you want to splurge, splurge. Miu Miu’s mixed-media bag charm features a blend of textures and chains to add some interest to your Arcadie bag.
This oversize heart charm looks like literal jewelry for your bag. The lengthy chain is idea for wrapping around the handles of your go-to.
We love Justine Clenquet’s cool silver earrings, so naturally we love the brand’s piercing key chain that’s a cheeky nod to the bellybutton ring you wanted (or had and still do) as a teen.
