15 Playful Charms To Give Your Handbag Some Flair!

Remember that period in the ’90s when tweens and teens accessorized their backpacks with jingly charms, fluffy pom poms, popular cartoon characters (like those Care Bear clip-on keychains!), patterned mini teddy bears, and furry, Muppet-like creatures (mini Furby charms, anyone)? They were as ubiquitous in high school hallways as denim overalls, scrunchies, MC hammer pants, and patch-adorned jean jackets. Well, in recent seasons, these once-adolescent accessories have entered a very adult playground, with charms emerging as the most clever way to personalize a tote, satchel, or hobo bag. Some designers have specifically billed their offerings as handbag charms — as is the case with Fendi, which unveiled a fluffy “monster” charm that’s been in high demand for months! — while others have revealed pieces with standard rings and lobster claps that allow them to serve double-duty as keychains or handbag charms.

Want to update your handbag collection? Here are some saucy charms that will let you unleash your DIY spirit — without committing to any permanent bag makeovers!

Ladurée Macarons Keyring, $71. Available at US.Amara.com

Talk about a sweet victory! This confectionary-inspired keyring is perfect for dessert loves, Francophiles, and style mavens alike. Measuring 10.5c cm in length and 6 cm in width, it features a stack of realistic-looking red, white, and pink macarons dangling from a golden keyring, with a detailed Eiffel towel charm and an oval-shaped medallion with the Ladurée logo surrounding the tempting treats. A powder pink bow, meanwhile, completes the delightful design.

Louis Vuitton Pop Flowers Bag Charm, $430. Available at US.LouisVuitton.com

Louis Vuitton’s classic monogram flowers get a groovy makeover in this graphic charm, fashioned out of golden brass and enamel.  The ’70s-flavored charm includes a larger bloom with four spear-shaped petals, each featuring angular stripes in earthy tones of mahogany, espresso, mustard, and cream, along with a smaller blossom with four rounded petals featuring magenta, white, and powder pink stripes.

Anya Hindmarch Maxi Courtney Tassel Circus in Electric Blue, $350. Available at Us.AnyaHindmarch.com

2015 may just be the year of the tassel, as this swingy accessory adorns everything from jackets and dresses to shoes, necklaces, and scarves. Don’t want to commit to a handbag coated in tassels? Then simply invest in a playful tassel charm that you can clip on or remove at whim. This oversized electric blue leather tassel bag, featuring a threaded overlay, will add the perfect amount of sway and spunk to your favorite carry-along. Remember: it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing!

Coach Multi Metal Stars Bag Charm, $95. Available at Coach.com

Your fashion game is so on-point that you just won yourself a gold star — and a silver and black one to boot! This Coach bag charm features a black leather cord next to a cluster of five-point stars that seem to cascade playfully, moving from smallest to largest. Each custom-cast star was inspired by vintage American military medals, which explains why you’ll have the urge to salute this constellation-themed accessory.

Stella McCartney Fuchsia Match Key Ring, $165. Available at StellaMcCartney.com

Made of 100% brass and featuring a fluorescent fuchsia enamel tip, his cheeky matchstick-shaped key ring will light your fire — and make your handbag look hot, hot, hot!

Prada Brigitte Bear Key Chain, $260. Available at NeimanMarcus.com

Let’s call this a bear necessity! Made in Italy, this 6″-long plush teddy bear charm dangles from a golden key ring and clip, all decked out in a pink-and-gold, fit-and-flare brocade dress with a golden belt to accentuate her waistline and a golden rosette propped atop one ear.

Tory Burch Owl Circle Pouch Key Fob, $85. Available at ToryBurch.com

You’ll be a wise gal when you rock the Tory Burch Owl Circle Pouch Keychain, a quirky round coin purse made of patchwork leather in order to achieve the animal-inspired motif. It’s a real hoot!

Valentino Leo Bag Charm, $295. Available at Barneys.com

Do you live by Walter Mercado’s astrological predictions? Then you’ll appreciate Valentino’s new collection of Zodiac-themed bag charms, each featuring a sculptural rendition of the corresponding sign’s symbol crafted out of satin-finished brass. Each charm, meanwhile, dangles from a cognac-toned grained leather lanyard strand.  

Miu Miu Ruby Red Heart Keyholder, $195. Available at Store.MiuMiu.com

Get to the heart of the bag charm trend with this embossed metal keychain, featuring a ruby red-colored, faceted, Plexiglas heart surrounded by faceted, round Swarovski crystals. A silver-toned skeleton key charm and “Miu Miu” logo charm complete the design.

Fendi Lamp-Shaped Charm. Visit Fendi.com  for price and store locations.

An ingenious nod to those “Eureka!” moments we have every day, this lightbulb-shaped Fendi charm is made of white sheepskin and features a blue lightning flash along its center because, well, it’s electric! Boogie Woogie Woogie!

Rebecca Minkoff Tassel Key Fob, $50. Available at RebeccaMinkoff.com

The fine slithers of leather in this neutral Rebecca Minkoff leather tassel charm ensure a maximum amount of movement, while the honeysuckle pick, nude, and yellow rings along the top of the charm infuse some much-needed color to the design.

Mathilde Silver Bag Charm, $90. Available at Swarovski.com

Forget Peter Rabbit!  The bounciest bunny in your bag’s briar patch is named Mathilde. Made of silver calfskin and a gray alcantara fabric, this 3D rabbit features mismatched ears — one light pink and adorned with tiny white buttons and the other a black-and-white houndstooth print, again embellished with  buttons — and seemingly mismatched arms and legs. For a glamorous touch, Mathilde wears a crystal mesh necklace around her neck with a Swarovski medallion pendant. And, for a homemade feel that will make you long for your own childhood bunny toy, the charm features noticeable stitching along the center of the bunny’s head and X-shaped stitching in lieu of an eye.

Topshop Panda Key Ring, $12.95. Available at US.Topshop.com

Who can resist a baby panda? This faux fur keyring, made of 70% acrylic and 30% polyester, kicks more tail than King Fu Panda himself (and requires no noodle soup meals!).

Roxy Vegan Leather Tassel Key Chain, $9. Available at NastyGal.com

Unlike most tassel charms, this two-toned number features looping strips of vegan leather that give it greater width. The black-and-white color combination, meanwhile, give the piece a Mod coolness.

Fendi Leather Crocodile Fob Charm, $550. Available at Shop.Nordstrom.com

Forget saying “goodbye” — it will even be difficult to say, “In a while, crocodile!” when encountering this incredibly detailed Fendi charm. The crocodile measures 7″ in total length (from the tip of its broad snout to the end of its scaly tail) and is crafted out of hand-stitched calfskin leather with sparkling crystals demarcating the reptile’s eyes and adorning its torso region. Talk about an accessory with bite!