When I started at St. John’s in second grade, keychains were everything. Puffy pom-poms, glittery initials, little plush animals, and mystery rubber creatures dangled from every backpack in sight. They clinked and bounced down the hallways like tiny, jangly badges of self-expression. I remember swapping charms with friends, obsessing over the latest finds from Claire’s, and feeling like my backpack wasn’t fully dressed until it was absolutely covered.
That era may technically be behind me—but spiritually? I’m still living in it.
Now that bag charms and accessories are having a major comeback, I’m completely here for it. From TikTok to streetwear to those dreamy Japanese mood boards, people are taking their bags and making them pure vibe. Not polished, not minimalist—just loud, joyful, personal, and maximal in the best way.
I’ve been especially inspired lately thanks to Dani (who got me thinking about Labubus), and suddenly I’ve been deep down the rabbit hole of ways to dress up my favorite tote. This post isn’t about showing off a collection. It’s a mood board—a celebration of how to junk up your favorite bag in the cutest, most chaotic, most you way possible.
Ready? Let’s accessorize.
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Tote Bag||Skinny Scarf||Tassel Beaded Chain||Mini Bunny Keychain||Leather Coin Purse for Women with KeyChain||COLORFUL BLING Alphabet Keychain||Strawberry Keychain||Pink Bow Keychain||Star Braided Keychain||Feminist Keychain
✿ Skinny Scarves
We’re starting soft. A skinny scarf tied around the handle of your tote bag is such a small thing, but it completely changes the energy.
I like to switch mine up by season—florals in spring, bright stripes in summer, something plaid and cozy for fall. If you’re feeling romantic, try a pale pink satin. If you’re feeling moody, go for a sheer black one. You can tie it into a bow, let it trail dramatically, or wrap it tightly around the handle for a bit of texture.
It’s the easiest way to make your bag feel dressed up—like it’s wearing a little outfit of its own.
✿ Beaded Tassel Chains
Texture? Movement? A little jingle when you walk? Yes, please.
Tassel chains with colorful beads are such a nostalgic throwback and give your bag a handmade, almost festival-y vibe. They’re great for balancing out softer elements like bows or plushies, and they make your bag feel lived in—like it has stories to tell.
If you’re feeling extra, double up on them. I love pairing one big beaded chain with a more delicate one in a complementary color. Let them tangle! Let them clash! That’s part of the charm.
✿ Plush Bunny Keychains
This one goes out to your inner second grader. I will never be too old to carry a soft bunny charm.
It’s fun, it’s sweet, and it always sparks conversation. There’s just something about a plushie on your bag that makes people smile—especially if it has oversized ears, a tiny bow, or sparkly eyes.
You can go pastel for that soft girl aesthetic or find something more chaotic and colorful. Bonus points if it’s from a small artist or character collection you’re obsessed with.
✿ Mini Coin Purses (Form and Function)
This is your “grown-up” charm, and I say that with love. A tiny coin purse clipped onto your bag? It’s cute and it holds gum, hair ties, lip gloss, or quarters for an emergency vending machine run.
Choose one in a pop color (bright red or cobalt blue) or something metallic to break up the textures on your bag. It gives your tote a bit of structure in the middle of all the fluff, and the functionality makes it feel like it belongs there.
✿ Glittery Alphabet Keychains
They were cool in second grade, and guess what? Still cool now.
Whether it’s your initial, your bestie’s, or your dog’s—there’s something timeless about a big sparkly letter dangling from your zipper. They make your bag feel personal without being overthought. I love mixing textures here: if your alphabet keychain is made of clear acrylic or rhinestones, pair it with something soft or woven for balance.
If you’re chaotic (hi), spell out a word across multiple keychains. It’s like your bag is talking.
✿ Strawberry Energy
If you know me, you know I’m deep in my strawberry era. Strawberry charms? Non-negotiable.
There’s something so fresh, feminine, and fun about adding a berry motif to your bag. Plush strawberries, beaded ones, little embroidered patches—they all work. And they instantly shift the whole look into something sweeter and slightly magical.
It’s giving picnic. It’s giving cottagecore. It’s giving “I definitely have a basket of fruit and a secret in my purse.”
✿ Pink Bow Keychains
Perfect for the coquette-curious. A big pink satin bow (bonus if it has lace or pearls) softens even the most structured bag.
Clip one on top of a pile of louder charms to give the whole setup a cohesive, feminine edge. I like to layer mine next to a strawberry charm for that sweet overload effect, or mix it in with metallics for a “ballerina but make it punk” contrast.
✿ Braided Star Keychain
This one’s practical and cute. The braided loop makes it a solid key holder (yes, we still have keys!), and the star charms give it a little sparkle without screaming for attention.
It’s a nice “base” charm—something that makes your bag feel put together while giving you a spot to clip on more chaotic elements.
✿ Feminist Flair
Because cute doesn’t have to mean quiet.
I love adding a charm that makes a statement, whether it’s a quote, a word like “POWER” or “SOFT,” or a little enamel pin-turned-keychain with a message that makes you feel strong. It’s a good balance to the bows and plushies, and it adds depth to your setup.
Your bag can be pink and powerful. Just like you.
✿ Bonus Tips for Charm Styling
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Change by season. Just like your outfits, swap your charms based on weather, mood, or color palette.
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Cluster your charms. Grouping them in one area gives your bag a curated feel. Spread them out for a more chaotic, playful look.
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Use carabiner rings or charm chains. These make it easier to switch things out without fussing with individual clips.
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Balance the weight. If your bag is flopping to one side from a heavy plush, add a tassel or mini pouch on the other end for balance.
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Let it be a little messy. A tangled charm setup feels lived-in and authentic. It’s not about perfection—it’s about personality.
So no, I don’t own every charm on this list. But if I could design my dream tote? It’d be filled with all of them. This post is less of a shopping list and more of a vibe check: playful, nostalgic, over-the-top, and full of joy.
Your bag is something you carry every day—why not let it tell the world exactly who you are?
What charms are you rocking right now? Tag me or drop a pic—I want to see your bags, your plushies, your bows, your glitter letters… all of it. Let’s bring back second grade, but make it fashion.
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