Your Bag Deserves Better

A plain bag has its place—quiet, minimal, understated. But for those who see fashion as a form of self-expression, a bag should do more than blend in. Jane Birkin understood that. She didn’t just carry a Birkin; she made it personal—layering it with keychains, ribbons, and keepsakes, turning an icon of luxury into something intimate, storied, and entirely her own.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Christie's, via Vogue France.

Fast-forward to 2025, and the Birkin effect is back—not in price point, but in principle. Today, your bag is more than a vessel for lip balm and receipts. It’s a mirror. An archive. A curated, wearable mood board that says something before you even walk in the room.

And no, it doesn’t need to be designer. It needs to be deliberate.

Why Your Bag Needs a Point of View

An unadorned bag is like a silent playlist: technically functional, emotionally vacant. Customizing your bag is the simplest way to elevate your outfit—and tell a story. Whether you prefer Sofia Richie’s polished restraint or Olivia Rodrigo’s chaotic charm, the right accessories can turn the ordinary into editorial.

This isn’t about excess. It’s about intention.

1. Start With a Base (Keep It Clean)

Tote, crossbody, baguette—whatever your shape, let the silhouette be simple. Think of it as your canvas: the plainer it is, the more room you have to say something with what you add.

BOTTEGA VENETA Maxi Parachute bag

2. Choose a Direction (Or Let It Find You)

If your energy skews “downtown edge,” reach for enamel pins, thrift-store patches, or even a band tee fragment. More “Park Avenue legacy”? Try a vintage silk scarf, a monogram charm, and pearls that may or may not be real. Minimalist? A single sculptural accent will do. Maximalist? Layer with reckless precision.

3. Contrast Matters

Texture isn’t optional—it’s the secret sauce. Leather and lace, denim and pearls, metal against silk. The friction makes it interesting. The contradiction makes it chic.

4. Don’t Edit Too Soon

This is one arena where more can be more. A single charm is sweet. A constellation of personal objects—each with its own origin story? Unforgettable. If your bag looks like it’s been around the world with you, you’re on the right track.

5. Let It Evolve

Your style changes. Your bag should too. One day, it’s quietly elegant. The next, it’s screaming in rhinestones. Good. Swap out the elements. Let it adapt. Your bag isn’t static—it’s seasonal, moody, alive.

Photo Credit: @mimimoocher, via Instagram

So—what’s going on your bag first?

That charm you stole from an ex? A scarf from a Paris flea market? Something absurd, something sentimental? Good. Start there. Because anyone can buy a bag. But not everyone can turn it into a statement.

And that’s the difference between carrying a look—and creating one.