Even our Accessories Have Accessories Now

Much of my tweenage years were spent watching do-it-yourself videos on Youtube: DIY studded iPhone cases, DIY decorative mason jars, DIY galaxy print tank tops. Though the days of oversaturated Youtube tutorials set to the tune of Lorde’s “Love Club” are behind us, I can’t help but feel that the DIY energy of that era is coming back in full force—and it’s coming for our accesories.

Last week, my For You Page was swarming with dozens of TikTokers hot gluing fake orchids to their strappy heels. Not to mention that this past summer was the summer of the bag charm: from Hello Kitty plushies to lip gloss keychains to charm necklaces, we were adorning our handbags with quite literally anything. Naturally, the do-it-yourself energy has bled into all kinds of accessories, from sunglasses to platform Crocs to digital cameras. Both on the runway and on the For You Page, our accessories are being accessorized. Ahead, read on to hear more about the anything-goes accessory trend and how to style it.

The Trend

The art of accessorizing accessories can be traced back to sartorial muse Jane Birkin, who famously adorned her namesake Hermès Birkin with a personal selection of beads, vintage watches, and whimsical trinkets. Since then, “Jane Birkin” has evolved into a verb via social media, with countless TikTok creators “Jane Birkin-ifying” their bags. Inevitably, the Jane Birkin effect has blossomed into a cultural phenomenon and touching accessories of all kinds.

In April, Gentle Monster released a highly anticipated collaboration with pop star Jennie, which featured miniature charms—my personal favorite is the capybara, named Cooing—that could be attached to the sunglasses. At Palomo Spain’s Spring/Summer 25 show, the brand debuted boots adorned with beading, baubles, and plenty of sequins. Both Miu Miu and Coach recently sent charm-covered bags down the runways, and Sandy Liang’s SS25 show introduced a collab with Android including a printed flip phone.

On TikTok, the “Birkinification” of bags are still going strong, and it’s spread to other accessories, too. Users are swapping shoelaces for ribbons and adding beaded clips and charms, or tying pretty bows through the hardware on their biker boots.

Tech is getting the trinket treatment with headphone decor like cases and bows, and you can’t scroll your FYP without seeing a Wildflower phone case, camera bling, or fluffy charms. Even viral Stanley cups and lip glosses are getting in on the action.

We’re truly living in the era of the charm, but this surge in hyper-personalization feels like more than a passing trend. Burnt out from an unending cycle of micro trends and “cores,” we’re craving individuality, or something that looks like it. The resurgence of charms taps into that longing for self-expression, but it also taps into our collective nostalgia. Perhaps we’re yearning for the days when we would customize our Crocs with Jibbitz and spruce up our school bags with Tamagotchis. 

How to Wear it

When it comes to accessorizing your accessories, anything goes. It helps to incorporate a variety of sizes, colors, and textures when it comes to charms. For my pony hair Bimba Y Lola bag, I added a Starface x Susan Alexandra beaded lip balm holder, a silver star charm, a Peppa pig plushie, and a Hello Kitty stuffed animal. This is the time to channel your inner child; think about your favorite cartoon characters or things that feel personal to you, like a Miffy plushie or the bubblegum-scented lip gloss that you can’t leave the house without.

For shoes, you can do no wrong with fun laces; recently, I’ve been inspired by the New Balance Miu Miu Collab and double-lacing with a pair of raw leather laces. Alternatively, you can add miniature shoe charms for a more kitschy and coquette vibe. The beauty in hyper-accessorizing is that it truly feels like a chose-your-own-adventure game: you can string together charms—or, for what it’s worth, literally anything that’s loopable, like a necklace or a silk ribbon—to really make an accessory feel like your own.

As for styling your over-accessorized accessories, they can match nearly any vibe because they’re basically every vibe at once. For a quirky minimalist vibe, pair a white shirt with a pair of baggy jeans and your Jane Birkin-ified bag. If you’re looking to add a touch of maximalist elegance to your fall outfits, add a pair of leather laces to your shoes. Or if you’re in the mood to embrace your inner Y2K baddie, attach your digital camera and frosted pink lip gloss to your shoulder bag.