There are still three months left in 2025, yet the year has given us plenty of trends to dictate our shopping habits well into next year from TikTok’s recession aesthetic to the triumphant return of polka dots co-signed by stars like Rihanna and Hailey Bieber. However, of all the fads to saturate our FYPs and Instagram timelines, trinkets have remained superior in the trend cycle. What am I referring to? Bag charms, keychains, and of course, Labubu.
While it’s natural to think this obsession is prevalent amongst younger demographics like Gen Alpha, the trinket has won the hearts (and pockets) of Gen Z’er’s and millennials alike. From Labubu attached to the handbags of Fashion Week goers (even the coveted Hermès Birkin), to friendship bracelets and Sonny Angels, the demand for trinkets is at an all-time high. But like most trends in the sartorial ecosystem, they’re nothing new.
More than a decade ago, major fashion houses started designing whimsical accessories as a ploy to gain more authority among consumers. In the brand’s Karl Lagerfeld era, Fendi debuted “Bag Bugs” in its fall/winter 2013 collection. The controversial design resembles a fuzzy character with oversized eyes and an exaggerated monster face highly similar to the Labubu that was released by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung in 2015. Meanwhile, Schiaparelli further cemented itself as a surrealist brand with gold key charms and its signature gloves, complete with gold nails. Furthermore, Coach introduced bag charms to its offerings as early as the 1960s, long before TikTok would establish them as a “new” trend.
Trinkets also surpass the popular bag accessories we see today. Think souvenir spoons or miniature statues that you purchase when traveling to a bucket-list destination, or the magnets you grew up seeing on your family’s refrigerator. Harmless, right?
While they bring a sense of joy, whether it’s a tangible link to memories with your favorite people, a way to connect with your heritage, or an avenue of self-expression and creativity; these small items (though often inexpensive) can cause financial damage in the long run. Trinkets are often placed at a checkout counter, tempting consumers to make an impulse purchase while they wait. It’s the dopamine rush of buying something new, which always brings satisfaction, whether you need it or not. And for online shoppers who spot a luxury trinket while casually browsing, many retailers offer the “buy now, pay later” method through installment apps like Klarna or Afterpay — creating a false sense of responsible spending. In reality, these payment practices create a debt cycle, further delaying someone from reaching their financial goals.
The seemingly harmless accessory also increases consumerism and overconsumption, despite higher tariffs and an impending recession. According to the Commerce Department, spending at American retailers rose 0.6% in August, showing that consumers aren’t erring on the side of caution. Statistics also show that online sales and purchases at clothing stores increased the most, 2% and 1%, respectively, with trinkets falling into that category.
Trinkets will always be relevant, being that it’s in our human nature to collect and attain things that please us. It provides a sense of identity and fosters community and connection. Yet, the cost of buying them, even to overindulgence, is up to the consumer to decide.