Charmed and All Jeweled Up: Summer’s Hottest New Accessory

You know what they say when it comes to fashion, everything swings back. In this case, we are talking charm bracelets, necklaces, keychains, lipglosses…the works. As a generation that grew up watching our moms, aunties, older sisters and any fashionable woman we know work the hell out of Pandora charms or Juicy Couture bracelets (IYKYK), we’ve found a way to take the act of collecting our favorite symbols and mini trinkets and turn them into stylish accessories for our accessories.

Charm bars and create-your-own charm necklace parties have gone viral on social media this past year and we anticipate the buzz will only continue to grow. Charms have made it beyond our social feed to the runway for shows from luxury brands like Coach, Miu Miu, Balenciaga and more. Last year, charms also made an epic return on purses which offered a nostalgic and fresh take on this maximalist trend.

Alas, this trend is charming all our accessories from head to toe. Colorful and playful trinkets have made their way to sneakers, like Adidas poked with pendants, or chains weaved through the laces. Want to clip a mini charm to your string bikini top? Why not! Or dress up your jeans with a chunky belt charm, making the possibilities endless.

When it comes to trends naturally, they regularly phase out and come to an end. However, we’ve asked a few brands and an expert stylist to share some tips and tricks on how to not only make these charm accessories more timeless but also how to personalize them to fit your fancy.

Beyond The Trend

Denver-based retail store and charm bar, Hip Hope Hoorah doesn’t view charms as just a trend. Instead, charms are a tool to fit the trend of self-expression. Nowadays, brands and fashion lovers alike are being more overt with their choices in design and aesthetics. For the sake of having more individuality and exercising your unique style and taste, charms can be a tool to represent who you are.

“Hip Hope Hoorah is all about celebrating individuality, creativity and connection through jewelry. I wanted to create an experience where customers could be part of the design process—something interactive, personal and fun,” said the founder of Hip Hope Hoorah.

Hope, the founder of this bespoke charm bar, shared that charms are nostalgic and have evolved into something more modern, personalized and versatile. Some pieces have deep connections to the wearer with stories and memories attached to reflect their personality. The best part about charm accessories? They can be curated, mixed and matched over time so that the style continues to evolve with you.

If you are looking for a more timeless look, this handmade brand shared that focusing on meaningful and well-crafted materials can make your piece feel classic and versatile for an evergreen accessory that will withstand the test of time.

Curate Your Style

When it comes to curating your personalized accessory, Bittersweet – a whimsical jewelry brand founded by Briana Ali – wants to remind people to start with their senses and how they are feeling.

“Charms give you the power to wear your heart on your sleeve. They’re nostalgic, playful, and can be very personal. In a time when fashion is all about individuality and storytelling, charms feel like a return to sentimentality in the best way possible,” Ali said.

Approaching a charm bar with rows of options, materials, accessories and more can feel overwhelming to the untrained eye. Ali encourages customers to start curating based on a feeling or story, “Is there a memory, dream, or vibe you want to hold onto? Maybe it’s a moon for the night you felt free, or a flower that reminds you of a loved one. Pick one or two pieces that speak to you and build around them,” shared Ali.

Adorning accessories with sentimental value, stories and memories can be worn for a lifetime and passed down to our loved ones. Investing in a charm accessory is not only a fun and creative exercise but can also be therapeutic. Now more than ever, defining your personal style can be complicated with so many options, voices and influences right at our fingertips.

Professional personal stylist and fashion consultant, Regan Heinrichs of The Wardrobe Edit, approaches this task by helping her clients achieve confidence through their wardrobes and starting with their closets first.

When asking Heinrich about how to style charm accessories, she admires the fact that this is a trend or style choice that anyone can achieve. Some trends feel hyperspecific to one demographic and many feel that they cannot participate or even afford it. However, with charm accessories, all are welcome and can achieve this multi-layered look. Depending on where you source your accessories from, this can be an easy and inexpensive way to enhance your everyday attire.

This savvy personal stylist also shared how the charm trend started with necklaces and has trickled down to the rest of our wardrobes. Heinrich’s favorite way to style charms is by adding them to a pant belt loop for a more detailed ensemble. This can be achieved by adding a necklace to your belt loop or adding some charms to a chain belt.

For those who are charm curious or charm experts, investing in timeless pieces to practice this personalized way of accessorizing should start with timeless pieces like a belt or handbag which continue to be innovative in style and materials.

“I think people just want to have a little bit of fun again within their wardrobe and not feel so stiff and rigid,” said Heinrich. “You still need to be practical with it and make sure it’s something you’re gonna wear. You can find these pieces from a small, and I’m sure women-owned, business as well,” she continued.

The biggest thing when approaching the charm trend is not to get overwhelmed as a consumer. Take time to reflect and think about what this new statement piece or accessory says about you and whether it is something that will last in your closet. In general, it’s safe to say that all forms of personalized accessories will continue to be on the rise because of the desire for individuality and self-expression.