why is everyone obsessed with trinkets and charms now?
what was once all the rage when i was in middle school are now back in fashion as gen z are entering adulthood
Welcome to Flop Era, a digital platform where I muse on pop culture, cultural trends, and all things Gen Z. Today, I’m looking for cute plushies to add to my keychain.
Over the past couple of months as I settled into my new place, I began to add my own style through bold and bright furniture, eccentric decor, and little figurines. For the past few years, a corner of Gen Z has decorated our shelves with trinkets and blind boxes. Some of our collections include Sonny Angels, Smiskis, Hironos, and Mofusands, to name a few.
Now it seems a few have transferred their love of trinkets onto the streets, carrying their favorite charms and trinkets on their bags and keychains. Of course, this phenomenon is not entirely new, but it has noticeably exploded recently. I, myself, began to personalize my keychain and inaugurated into decorating it with a calico critter keychain (as I finished writing this the said calico critter disappeared into the void RIP). Over the past few years, though, I have begun the process of slowly collecting pins to add to my tote bag to add pops of color.
Jane Birkin is widely credited for popularizing this trend as the actress donned her namesake bag with chains and charms. Accessorizing an expensive, high-end bag with colorful, artsy knick-knacks may raise eyebrows from certain people. But bags are meant to be carried and worn to death, so why not add love and personality to it too?
This particular fashion trend has taken social media, like TikTok by storm. Videos demonstrating how you can be a “cool girl” by decorating your bags with pins, fluffy plushies, Sonny Angels, and plastic cherries has racked millions of likes and views. This past year, designer brands have taken notice of this personalized bag craze with brands like Saint Laurent, Loewe, Miu Miu. A few years ago, beauty brands like Fenty Beauty were selling charms and keychains.
The bag charm resurgence is just the tip of an insane year of personalized accessories: charm bracelets, charm necklaces, and phone charms. And TBH, I’m not mad about it. I love how people are tapping into their creativity and inner child to create unique, individualized items that are a reflection of their interests. And no, it doesn’t necessarily make you a “cool girl” — I hate that a label has been attached to an aesthetic one should attained because it isn’t just one “aesthetic,” whatever you choose to accessorize should be a reflection of your interests and personality.
This charm trend began to lose its, well, charm (pun intended) once brands took notice of the trend and commercialized it. A business drew criticism on TikTok as it began to sell a line of “Pinterest Purse” or black bags pre-adorned with pins and charms for $95.
The commodification of self-expression has led to people wanting to attain a certain aesthetic without adding their own individualism. What was once genuine and unique quickly vanished and lost its spark. Buying a bag pre-made with charms and pins defeats the entire purpose. If you’re not sure how to start personalizing your accessory, remember that there’s no rules or right way to decorate a keychain or bag. Add anything that you cherish and are fond of. It should an outwardly expression of the love you have inside.
flop watch & reads
Shows, movies, and books I’ve recently enjoyed and recommend:
📺 Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
🎥 Decision to Leave, Lisa Frankenstein, Maurice, Problemista, Scream, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, The Substance, Wicked
📖 Coexistence: Stories by Billy-Ray Belcourt, Monstrillo by Gerardo Sámano Córdova
add me on goodreads and letterboxd