Most of us carry some variation of a handbag or bag with us daily, clinging to our shoulder or hand whilst being full to the brim of necessities, uni work, or those things that we’re never sure we will need, but carry with us anyways. Once you start carrying a bag, it’s impossible to stop, which only makes you ponder where on earth you carried everything before this stylish storage space blessed your arm.

Although the belongings in the bag screams that this is yours (whether that be through a named diary, wallet, or renowned lip combo), the exterior can sometimes lack that recognition to show that this bag truly belongs to you. This is where bag-cessorising comes in. Key rings, charms, and stickers to adorn your bag with provide the opportunity to make something you carry daily become an extension of you, to exhibit your personality through quirky accessories.

“Key rings, charms, and stickers to adorn your bag with provide the opportunity to exhibit your personality through quirky accessories”

Jane Birkin was infamous not only for the stretching and wearing out of her Birkin bags, but for her avid decoration of the bag, transforming it from a simple method to carry necessities to something that can exhibit you. Although most of us are not wrapping Hermès scarves around the handles of our bags, there are a myriad of ways to accessorise our bags to express our sense of self.

Take cute keyring figurines, for example. Figurines like Sonny Angels, Miffy, Hello Kitty and even Jellycat plushies can be found on keyrings, and are perfect to attach to bags. Whether you personally hunted for the perfect Miffy that says something about you, or you have a Jellycat plush that was bought as a gift, or maybe you played the risky game of Sonny Angels roulette, what better way to make use of the cuteness than to stick them on your bag? These can provide a fun talking point with their noticeable nature, as well as giving an insight into some things you enjoy or like to collect.

If you wanted to splurge, but not to the extent of a designer bag, most bigger brands offer glitzy bag charms like the iconic Coach cherry. Although these charms definitely aren’t cheap, they can be a fun way to incorporate a brand label onto your bag, if that takes your fancy.

Adding a scarf to the handles of your bag is effective in multiple ways. First of all, it provides a pop of colour or fresh pattern, which can be changed to complement your outfit or mood that day. Secondly, it is practically beneficial. Not only does wrapping a scarf around the handles actually protect from wear, tear, hand oils, and dirt, but if it suddenly turns windy or cold, the scarf will seem like a blessing from above.

“The most enjoyable way to accessorise your bag is to do so like a travel diary”

The most enjoyable way to accessorise your bag, is, in my opinion, to do so like a travel diary. How many times have you walked past a souvenir shop and seen a cute keyring that would perfectly encapsulate your whole trip? And what better way to remember it than by attaching it to your daily bag, providing a flashback of memories and a smile whilst you sit glumly in the lecture hall. This is a continuous act, with the ability to be added to for every trip or cute souvenir you spot, making your bag into a mini travel time capsule.

Bags have become a canvas for storytelling, allowing people to turn a bag that is made for the masses into something uniquely personal, something that can show how you change over time with the removal or addition of various accessories. Next time you pick up your bag —whether it’s a trusty tote or a sleek crossbody — think of it not just as a carryall, but as a little exhibition of you. From mismatched keychains to scarves that double as survival gear, each addition tells a tiny part of your story. It’s self-expression on a strap. So go ahead — decorate, dangle, and drape to your heart’s content.