It started with Labubus.
The tiny dolls with a fierce Cheshire cat grin have invaded the capital, found swinging off the handles of bags from Wimbledon to West Ham. Then came the novelty charms, the designer renditions, and the many entirely necessary chains and scarves from which they all dangle.
It’s official: London has fallen under the spell of bag charms, and really, who can blame us?
Aside from being an easy way to upgrade a trusty old tote, they add a zing of brightness and personality to the mix while, for the most part, offering a wallet-friendly dopamine hit. While luxe labels offer a way to showcase your style to the world, practical charms that actually serve some use will keep their place in the crook of your arm.
Functional bag charms that perform double (or even triple) duty have much more longevity than a pretty trinket that’s just there for decoration.
Whether you’re looking to invest in a new charm to breathe fresh life into a tote or you like the idea of having a faithful tool always at your side, I’ve hunted down the most useful and surprising items that have been shrunken down, strung off a carabiner clip and presented as a bag charm.
From your new favourite gym accessory and lip gloss you can apply on the move to a literal life-saver, marvel at the finds below.
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Beevive Original Bee Revival Kit Keyring with Bee Identification Tag
The knowledge that bee numbers are in trouble is fairly widespread, but the existence of this insect reviving kit is not.
Made to rescue weak, flailing bees, the vial unscrews to pour out a syrup to boost their energy levels.
The transparent vial comes with markers allowing you to whip up more of the reviving formula once you’ve finished administering the included amount.
Buy now £10.99, John Lewis
Hydro Flask Micro Hydro Mini Bottle 200ml
Regular readers will know that Standard Shopping staff love little more than a water bottle sitting beside their keyboard. From Stanely and Owala to gigantic water bottls, we’ve seen it all - or so we thought.
Enter this mini design from Hydro Flask, designed to hold up to 200ml of the liquid of your choice. It’s leak-proof and designed to keep drinks warm or cold for up to seven hours thanks to the double-wall vacuum design. Available in four shades.
Buy now £17.50, Urban Outfitters
Carolina Herrera Mini Tint Lip Balm Full Case
Designed to hold a Good Girl Mini Lip Balm refill, these colourful cases by Carolina Herrera offer a way to hydrate your lips in style.
They’re available in a selection of colour combos, but if you’re partial to a black bag, the yellow and blue will pop nicely. You can add further charms to it in the form of a heart, beetle or pineapple accessory.
A charm for your charm: very inception.
Buy now £11.00, John Lewis
RetroSnap Mini Digital Camera
Never miss a Kodak moment again with this incy wincy camera hanging from your bag’s strap. The pocket-sized camera is a fully functioning digital version and comes with flash, a Type-C charging cable and allows you to send images straight to your phone for sharing or printing.
Also available in pink.
Buy now £40.00, Urban Outfitters
Perpetual Calendar Keychain
Technically a keychain but unusual enough to live on full display on your bag’s zip or handle, this design frees you from buying another calendar for 50 years. Simply adjust the month to the year, and voila - all your dates until 2060 will be listed in the rear window below.
Buy now £5.90, Amazon
Lulu Guinness black Lulu Bobbie bag charm
Want a place to stash your spare change, Vinted receipts or lottery tickets? Lulu Guinness’s zipped pouch turned bag charm to the rescue. Shaped in the brand’s signature lip design, the all black accessory takes care of the small stuff.
Buy now £45.00, Lulu Guinness
OnMyWhey Whey To Go Keyring
Can’t go a day without your whey? When you’re planning a short trip that means you’re away from your regular giant tub of the stuff, you’ll be pleased to have this charm packed with emergency reserves hanging from your bag.
The tin comes empty, ready to fill with your choice of pre-workout supplements, protein powder, vitamins and supplements. Much more fun than your average medicine holder.
Buy now £10.00, Urban Outfitters
M&S Mini Tote Style Bag Charm Keyring
I mean, really, how mini can bags get? Marks n Sparks has this, frankly, adorable tiny tote to dangle from your main everyday bag, be it a top-handle design, crossbody, or an all-purpose Uniqlo sling bag.
It may be full of darling little details - a moment for the lock, please - but there’s space inside to stash a tin of lip balm, a fragrance mini, or a few coins.
Buy now £18.50, M&S
Coach Mirror Bag Charm In Signature Canvas
A charm with a helpful hidden secret, this Coach design may look like a luggage tag, but slips aside to reveal a mirror hidden within. Perfect for touching up makeup on the move.
Buy now £75.00, Coach
Bubble Tell All Juicy Secret Lip Balm 4.4g
Dry lips? Not on Bubble’s watch. The beauty brand has its bullet-cased lip balm ready to rock on the bag of your choosing. Lips are left plump with a light sheen thanks to the hero ingredients of chicory root extract, moringa oil and acacia flower wax in the formula.
Buy now £9.00, Boots
Tajin Keyring
Simply can’t bear the idea of bland food? Why should you, when you can add a Tajin charm to your lunch bag and enjoy chilli and lime flavours whenever the occasion calls? This one is refillable, so you can always have a stash of tasty seasoning when you need it.
Buy now £2.00, Max Grocer
Sriracha To Go Keyring
Office fridges are ripe for thievery; you can stick a bottle of hot sauce in there, but who knows how long it’ll be safe for, even with your name taped to it? Swap to this Sriracha keyring bag charm instead, and you’ll keep your rations safe from hungry eyes.
Buy now £10.00, Urban Outfitters
ZOUIQSS Coin Purse Mini Handbag for Women Orange
Stop loose change from rattling around in your pocket and pulling it out of shape by depositing it in this tiny handbag instead. The charm, complete with a turnlock fastening, is available in a range of colours and there are two styles to choose from.
Buy now £12.99, Amazon
Denman Keyring
Even the best blow-dry in the world is no match for the weather when gale-force winds get going. Arrive at your destination feeling - or at least looking - less flustered with this sweet hairbrush charm from Denman. Best used on fringes, pull the rest of your hair back into a ponytail and chalk yourself up a win over the elements.
Buy now £4.00, Denman
Lucky Bagcharms Cute Mini Box Bag Charms
Going on holiday, but only taking an underseat bag? Create room for jewellery by dangling it off your backpack’s strap. This dinky jewellery box has enough space to stash a few choice treasures so you can switch up your look on the trip.
Buy now £12.00, Lucky Bagcharms
