Nowadays, it’s not your bag, but what’s hanging off it that counts. From the tasteful (chunky beads, pebbled leather tags, quilted mini coin purses) to the kitsch (a knitted packet of Nurofen, a Teletubby), a bag is never fully dressed without some flotsam and jetsam fastened to it. If yours is still naked, it might be wise to cut your losses and move on to the trend’s fast-emerging cousin: shoe charms.
Accessorising magpie footwear is about to hit the mainstream with the #shoecharms hashtag already a visual feast of, for example, pearl bows decorating box-fresh Salomons. Or take the 41,000 plus posts showing how a tiny initial pendant can transform a pair of adidas Gazelles.
Sydney Sweeney is something of a pioneer, zhushing up her sneakers with mismatched laces and pom-poms from Miu Miu. Stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson an early adopter of bag charms is also lending fashion credence to a shoe nadir: Crocs Jibbitz, cute little characters that you can attach to the shoes holey upper. Karefa-Johnsons’ Jibbitz of choice are as chic as you’d imagine—crystallised flowers and pearly orbs—but you can also show your personality via themed clip-ons (Harry Potter, Star Wars, My Little Pony).
Although you can certainly repurpose keychains or even hoop earrings (the kind that clip shut), Coach has a perfectly formed collection of shoe charms. The ultimate destination, however, is Bag Crap — the brand that made bag charms a ‘thing’, which launched shoe trinkets a few months back (think beetles, burgers and cans of Red Bull). 'I'm a collector at heart, so my workroom is always jam-packed with all kinds of vintage toys and trinkets waiting to be transformed into something fabulous. I was playing around with different closures from some of my smaller bag charms and got bored and decided to clip them on my shoes,' explains founder Amanda Marcuson.
Trainers are probably the easiest shoe to charmify, but a brogue or ballet sneaker also lends itself to a well-placed flourish. Prepare to charm everyone you pass.
Shop: The Best Shoe Charms
www.asos.com
Perfect for night owls, astrology lovers, or anyone who wants their feet to feel a little more magical.
www.urbanoutfitters.com
Add a touch of nostalgia to your sneakers with a vintage-inspired charm; think miniature lockets, tiny keys, or ornate motifs that look like they’ve been lifted from your nan’s jewellery box.
Equal parts dainty and dramatic, these pearl bows will bring soft-glam energy to your footwear. Whether clipped onto ballet pumps or laced through chunky trainers, they’re an instant upgrade.
www.freepeople.com
More is more. Think layered chains, dangling beads, and a full-on mash up of trinkets - from crystal hearts to cartoon clip-ons.
www.anthropologie.com
Worn solo or stacked with chains and studs, it’s the cool-girl detail your trainers didn’t know they needed.
Main image credit: @_liullland @dainisgood
Renee Washington, Grazia's digital fashion and beauty writer, lives online. With a penchant for wispy lashes and streetwear, she writes about the worlds of fashion and beauty from the viewpoint of the modern fashion girlie..
Natalie Hammond is senior fashion news editor at Grazia. She loves winter, hates summer and can often be found writing about the weather (and what on earth to wear).