Dior adds the bling with charms that mimic a charm bracelet.
The 30 Montaigne Bag Charm ($1,100) comes crafted in gold-tone metal and showcases multiple charms, including the signature black lacquer Christian Dior Paris emblem. The smaller Destiny bag charm features a gold star and mother of pearl clover ($400).
From designer chic to playful and fun, charms are a fresh way to add personality to your favorite purse. Check out the bags of celebrities, and you’ll see a whole variety. Naomi Osaka’s jewel-encrusted Labubus at the US Open made a case for these charms, even on a tennis bag. Osaka’s $500 crystal-covered custom Labubus paid homage to tennis greats. (Billy Jean Bling, a glittering red rhinestone nod to tennis legend Billy Jean King, for one.)
The charm trend gained steam in 2024 as people started to find ways to personalize bags. Celebrities and TikTok influencers fueled the fad with accessorized bags. And then came the Laboubu. It was spotted dangling from the bags of stars like Rihanna and Dua Lipa. Soon the furry stuffed animals with attitude began selling out at retailers across the country. (Retailing technically for under $30, Labubus can often sell for multiples of that price on eBay and StockX.)
Releases of new Labubus sell out fast. The best tip is to download the Pop Mart app, as some are sold exclusively there. Pop Mart is a Chinese retailer known for blind boxes, meaning you don’t know which color or style you’re getting until you open it. Customers often buy multiples in search of their preferred Labubu. To date, there are 300-plus varieties of the doll that’s become so popular there’s a luxury collaboration with Moynat.
Beyond the Labubu
A walk through the handbag section of any fine store is lined with designer bag charms.
Check these out.
Bottega Venata keeps its charms on brand with its signature woven-leather dog and cat charms ($650). The company also makes woven leather letters to dangle individually or can be collect as a monogram ($490)
Loewe also offers adorable animal charms. Choose from a hedgehog, koala, owl, panda or pink elephant ($550).
Burberry tosses its hat in the ring with the Thomas the Bear charm ($350). Thomas comes with earmuffs, poncho and an assortment of outfits, all in Burberry signature plaids.
Prada’s Teddy bear charm comes in a variety of outfits like a classic Prada dress ($795). There are also crocheted charms and a useful earbuds holder.
A mini version of a designer bag is also a hot trend. Both Prada and Gucci make charm versions of their iconic bags. Pet lovers can show their puppy love with Gucci leather dog and cat charms ($450).
Louis Vuitton
is always on point with its Vivienne flower bag charm, which comes in a variety of styles ($980 to $1,420). There are practical offerings as well, like the Cute Cat earphone case ($790) and the LV hair clip charm that includes a usable hair clip ($720). Sunshine state enthusiasts can dangle a nod to the destination with the LV Miami Beach bag passport charm ($370).
Anna Hindmarch is a designer known for her pop culture sense, and her bag charms carry that same wit and whimsy. Check out the leather Diet Coke coin purse charm ($485) or Pez candy charm ($270).
BARGAIN BAUBLES
NOT ALL PURSE CHARMS NEED TO BREAK THE BANK
Labubu’s should retail for a reasonable price, but due to demand, securing one of these furry charms may take some effort. For those not willing to wait or shell out hundreds of dollars there’s the Lafufu, the fake version that has its own tongue-in-cheek following. These knock-offs can be distinguished from a Labubu based on packaging, QR code and number of teeth on the monster. (Genuine Labubus have nine teeth.) Here, we offer up some more affordable options.
Susan Alexandra’s Glitter Critters jazz up everything from purses to water bottle handles ($60).
Make your own bag charms with Bauble Bar kits. The Ultimate Custom Bag Charm kit holds supplies to craft eight charms ($54).
Coach charms from apples to bears remain a popular and fun way to stack charms (starting at $95). The cherry charm sells out quickly and comes in a variety of colors ($95).
Jellycat is known for its stuffed animals that are coveted by toddlers to 20-year-olds. Its charms can dangle from a designer handbag or a school backpack. Popular picks are the Jellycat croissant ($28) and charm versions of the company’s signature stuffed animals, Barthomew the Bear and Smudge the Rabbit ($28).