Bag Charms
- Genesis Padilla
- Sep 3, 2024
- 2 min read
Charms of distinctive styles date back to ancient times. Dating back to ancient Egypt, charms were used as protection against evil spirits and bad luck. In an article written by The Vintage Compact Shop, it states, “The ancient Egyptians were so serious about their charms/amulets that they had duplicate ones made in case the first one did not work.” This shows how prized these pendants were to people in ancient times.
As time moved, so did these precious pendants; they never lost their touch and maintained their fame throughout the years. During the Victorian Era, these charms took on greater significance. Queen Victoria's personal take on golden locket charms swept through the Elite European class, becoming a status symbol. Inside these charms, they often added miniature pictures or locks of hair, creating a sense of sentimentality.
Jane Birkin is often credited with popularizing bag charms. Birkin became a staple in the fashion industry and made many impactful fashion statements we still use and see in current times. Her carefree and individualistic style made her an icon and a muse to many, including Hermes CEO at the time, Jean-Luis Dumas.
This would later be known as the legendary Hermes Birkin bag. Jane would decorate this bag with a variety of accessories including silk scarves, patches, dangling charms, and jewelry pieces.
Not only are bag charms making a comeback, but now accessorizing your phone is in style. This style was first popularized in Japan and is now making its way back around the world. During the 2000s, this style was widespread in the U.S. As the usage of mobile phones increased, so did the charms. Now it is seen as people add straps, crystals, beads, and well-liked animated characters to their phone cases to highlight their tastes and individualistic styles.
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