“It allows for a personal narrative, a splash of personality in an otherwise predictable world,” says Don’t Let Disco founder Ashley Harris
For Ashley Harris, founder of jewelry brand Don’t Let Disco, it was a case of serendipity. During a photo shoot, she draped a vintage Hermès Kelly bag with a pile of beaded necklaces. A model on set for the day shared the moment on TikTok, and the rest is history. Requests began to flood in for charms and chains that could be added to everyday bags. Quiet luxury it’s not, but a wave of playful, maximalists dressers are infusing their accessories with a little bit of fun. On the Spring and Fall 2024 runways at Miu Miu, Coach, and Balenciaga, the trend debuted with bold flair, with sleek bags adorned with jangling chains and charms. This season, Coach added bold sneaker charms into the mix, while in Milan the trend continued with Fendi and Versace both draping bags with little bottles of perfume and bags of candy.
“Accessorizing day-to-day items is a delightful rebellion against the conformity often imposed by digital algorithms,” Harris says. “It allows for a personal narrative, a splash of personality in an otherwise predictable world.” Beyond bags, everyday items like sneakers, loafers, and phones can be embellished with a personal touch by adding pins, brooches, and beads. “I might drape a secondary necklace over my bag to be donned later or if I don’t have time to pop home ahead of a dinner or event,” Harris says—practical and playful. But in part, what makes this trend particularly appealing is that it can easily be tweaked over time. Add new keychains or swap in phrases spelled out in beads as you see fit.
Or, for those who’d prefer not to DIY, there’s also the option to pick something out that has already been accessorized: Balenciaga’s Le Citi Mini, preloaded with charms, or the Nike Astrograbber × Bode with beads attached to the laces. Ahead, shop our favorite takes on the trend.
Cre: Harper’s Bazaar Magazine
