Another day, another reigning TikTok "aesthetic." Along with its obsession with flashily dressed Italian-American women with partners making their livings outside the law, recently the platform's given us a less loaded, far more cheerful trend to try. Namely, hyper-personalized handbags a la the late, great Jane Birkin. Likewise a response to the less-is-more, clean-girl movement, #Birkinifying your handbag, or accessorizing it with pins, charms, key fobs, stickers, patches and interchangeable straps that speak to your personal style and interests, is a social media-propelled trend that's super easy to get behind both intellectually and financially.
Of course, the drive to personalize one's accessories is nothing new. Monograms are a classic example. And think of the Fendi Buggies craze of the mid-2010s. A couple years back, embroidering your L.L.Bean canvas Boat and Tote with trendy, sardonic phrases like "flop era" instead of the more traditional initials was all the rage.
Jane arguably personified the inclination. In an interview for CBS during which she showed off all the "baubles, bangles and beads" hanging from her eponymous Hermes, the French fashion icon explained, "I just thought it was more fun to hang things off it." She enjoyed the "jingle jangle" sound the bag made as she walked. And with Jane's passing last July, fans eager to pay homage to her sartorial legacy are taking up visual and auditory add-ons of their own.
They're not without recent runway references. At Miu Miu Spring 2024, the ever-prescient Miuccia Prada sent out Jane-inspired handbags. Sloppy, capacious, filled to the brim with jackets and shoes and accented by braided ropes, gold chains, hardware-heavy leather bracelets, keychains and the like, the totes are a master class in accessory accessorizing.
But don't worry. You certainly don't need a bag by Miu Miu or Hermes to #Birkinify. This is a trend for the people. The point is to give new life to your tried-and-true everyday top handles and crossbody bags. It's about personality, showcasing your own inimitable je ne sais quoi.
So while brands, particularly Loewe, JW Anderson, Anya Hindmarch and Coach, are offering up several extremely fun bag accessories right now, feel free to throw our suggestions, handily organized below, out the door and go your own way. We highly recommend using keepsakes you already have or shopping vintage for this one. It feels apropos to Jane's "aesthetic." If the bag's meant to look used and loved, why not shop for things used and loved? (We've also included some vintage picks below to save you the legwork.)
Loewe Pea Pod Charm, $490 at Bergdorf Goodman
FP Collection Letterman Bag Charm, $20 at Free People
Burberry Faux-Fur Bag Charm, $720 at Mytheresa
Hermes Pre-Owned 1994 Sunflower Cadena Lock Bag Charm, $1,116 at Farfetch
Maison Michel Pearl-Design Bag Charm, $230 at Farfetch
Stella McCartney Origami Elephant Alter Mat Bag Charm, $235 at Stella McCartney
Coach Remade Lightning Bolt Bag Charm, $75 at Coach
Miu Miu Metal Brooch, $395 at Miu Miu
Susan Alexandra Foodie Bag Charms in Mushy, $63 at Susan Alexandra
Justine Clenquet Heart Metallic Pink Charm, $89 at Justine Clenquet
Hermes Pre-Owned 1990-2000s Paddock Bombe Bag Charm, $423 at Farfetch
Christian Dior 30 Montaigne Bag Charm, $990 at Christian Dior
Sandy Liang Jelly Keychain in Clear, $58 at Sandy Liang
Vivienne Westwood 3D Orb Keyholder, $120 at LuisaViaRoma
Edie Parker Matchbook Mirror Keychain in Puff Pink, $75 at Edie Parker
Tory Burch Leather Woven Lemon Key Ring, $159 at Tory Burch
JW Anderson Blue & White Cat Keychain, $97 at SSENSE
Jellycat Amusable Cloud Bag Charm, $25 at Jellycat
Burberry Blue Thomas Bear Keychain, $440 at SSENSE
Marni Logo-Embroidered Leather Keyring, $246 at Farfetch
Prada Saffiano Leather Robot Keychain Trick in Fiery Red, $595 at Prada
Jacquemus Le Porte-Cles Chiquito Keyring, $199 at Farfetch
Louis Vuitton New Wave Key Chain Bag Charm Multicolor, $520 at FASHIONPHILE
Loewe Chunky Donut Strap in Metal, $490 at Loewe
Coachtopia Short Chain Strap in 70% Recycled Resin in Light Pink Multi, $125 at Coach
Clare V. Grosgrain in Chain Shoulder Strap in Royal Blue Grosgrain Chain, $135 at Clare V.
Cuyana Wavy Strap in Black/Black, $88 at Cuyana
Marc Jacobs The Pearl Chain Shoulder Strap, $125 at Neiman Marcus
Maje Leather Shoulder Strap, $175 at Farfetch
Valentino Rockstud Quilted Bag Strap, $472.50 at The RealReal
Fendi Flowerland Bag Strap, $315 at The RealReal
Christian Dior Adjustable Shoulder Strap With Ring in Beige Multicolor Brocart Butterfly Embroidery, $1,300 at Christian Dior
Madewell The Crossbody Bag Strap: Thin Chain Edition, $42.50 at Madewell
Loro Piana Stripes Shoulder Strap, $850 at 24S
Off-White Industrial Logo Bag Strap, $211 at Farfetch
JW Anderson Pink Heart Coin Pouch, $71 at SSENSE
Gucci Beige & Brown Ophidia Key Case, $395 at SSENSE
Prada Logo-Plaque Zip-Fastening Pouch, $595 at Farfetch
Lululemon City Adventurer Backpack Nano Velour in Wine Berry/Gold, $29 at Lululemon
Anya Hindmarch Carmex Tasseled Textured-Leather Coin Purse, $360 at Net-a-Porter
Marc Jacobs The Sweet Spot Coin Purse, $77 at Farfetch
Acne Studios Coin Wallet and Bow Mirror in Pastel Pink, $500 at Acne Studios
Moncler Kilia Backpack Keyring, $340 at Farfetch
Sézane Sacha Coin Case in Embossed Denim, $50 at Sézane
Coachtopia Zip Around Wallet in Checkerboard Upcrafted Leather in Bright Yellow/Chalk, $150 at Coach
See by Chloe Hana Leather Keychain, $152 at Farfetch
