In the last few years, designer brands have massively increased their offerings when it comes to accessories for your bag. The options have become endless, from additional straps to leather tags and even bag charms that look like jewelry for your bag. While these so-called bag accessories seem to have been around forever, the category is relatively new, and much of the boom can be credited to Fendi’s insanely popular bag bug charms from the mid-2010s. Since then, nearly every major designer has joined the bag accessory game, from Dior and Celine to Louis Vuitton and Loewe; accessorizing your bag is just as important as the bag itself. But are they really worth the spend?
To Accessorize or Not to Accessorize
If you had asked me a few months ago if additional bag accessories like charms or straps were worth the often hefty price tag, I would have said a hard, fast no. Period. But then I was gifted a black Celine Small 16 bag in satinated calfskin, after a couple of weeks of wearing it was I strongly considering purchasing a fabric strap for it. After feeling so strongly in one direction about purchasing additional bag accessories, what changed?
I began wearing the bag as soon as I got it, and I loved how chic it looked, making every outfit feel sleek. Its roomy interior makes it a great everyday bag, but I found that at times when my outfit was overly casual, I just wasn’t reaching for it as much. It was then that the idea behind bag straps really clicked for me. I decided to see for myself and tried on some straps with my bag. I ended up purchasing a black/white logo CELINE strap, and already I’ve reached for the bag much more than I had before.
The fabric strap makes the bag feel a bit less dressy, but it still gives an elevated feel. A nice bonus is that I purchased the long strap, which allows me to wear the bag crossbody easily, whereas the leather strap it comes with works best over the shoulder. IMHO, I’m now fully a convert for additional bag accessories, but only if they serve the purpose of helping you reach for a certain bag more.
What do you think?
Featured image via @brooklynblonde1
if it’s worth it or not? of course it’s not worth it for the price. I mean, hey it’s luxury item, it’s never worth the price. but, if you able to buy few grands worth of bags i don’t think an add-on would be a problem.
there are two entirely different questions here. are bag charms “worth it” Absolutely not, but they sure are cute and fun! As for adding a new strap, if it makes a bag you already own MORE functional, 100% worth it. Haven’t we all bought bags that we thought we’d love and then found that we don’t end up using very often. If a strap gives an old bag new life it’s a great idea!
Exactly what I came here to say. Straps have borderline nothing to do with accessorizing the bag, it adds functionality.
If the question is “is anything non-bag worth the luxury price tag just for the looks” like say a Fendi strap with flowers etc., well… NONE of the luxury purchases are technically “worth” what they sell for.
But yes, I absolutely believe in buying straps for bags, I love having crossbody option! And I wouldn’t put a bag charm on my bag if you paid me, I just dislike the look, it’s not a $$ thing.
Bag straps are great! It’s always fun to accessorize.
I have a couple of all-leather/nylon black and neutral color straps in my preferred length of 115cm/45inches so it matches my bags easily and also wear it crossbody.
I love when a bag comes with two removable straps. Use small handheld strap for evening, shoulder strap for daytime or wear both together if you want to be look a little extra.
I appreciate brands that do that instead of making you spend more money for a strap to make a bag more comfortable or versatile.
Cute bag, but boy does it look like a pickpocket’s dream.
I love and hate what Gucci is doing, including 2 straps with many bags. I love having 2 looks included. But it’s a bit annoying that they aren’t for purchase on their own. And what is the deal with many Gucci bags on resale only including one strap?? The listing will be like: “Includes: box, dustbag, receipt, social security card, artisan DNA sample, one strap.” And the price is barely reduced.
I recently bought the Fendigraphy, it has D rings for a strap but none is included. For a $2.5k bag, a $1k strap doesn’t seem like an amazing investment. I’m not a huge crossbody person in the first place. But I’d rather save 40% of my purchase price that I’d spend on a strap towards another bag, personally.
Obviously, not worth it at all. But, hey, if you want to spend a month’s rent for a family of four on a tiny key ring you clip on a bag… go ahead!
Sure! I love bag straps and buy them, but not designer because they’re too expensive. Years ago I told my Dior S.A. that Dior should make bag straps and they eventually did, but I can’t afford them. 🤷♀️😂
I am willing to buy a leather or fabric unbranded strap or chain strap on Etsy or other sites
Same here. I love how you can customize strap length on etsy (im 5’3 so the standard 120cm is very long on me). I bought an amazon strap copy on etsy for my mini evelyne. I did not want to get the original strap dirty since its just canvas. The original strap from hermes is not worth it at all. With that price i can buy a bag from lv.