It-girls used to only worry about the weight of the fashion world on their shoulders – now they have to worry about a handbag with mounds of ribbons and 50 keychains that just won’t stop rattling with every step they take. This, ladies, gentlemen, and everything in between, is a perfect example of a Jane-Birkinfied bag. But what does supermodel Jane Birkin have to do with a bunch of random bag charms?
Who is Jane Birkin?
Jane Birkin was a French-American singer and actress known for her unique fashion sense. As the Washington Post said, she had a knack for making ordinary things into extraordinary fashion statements. She’d unironically use a basket as a handbag and wear men’s clothes at a time when society probably wasn’t used to a woman being not feminine.
The Washington Post continued, saying she took a flight from Paris to London, where her things fell out of her basket. Of course, she started complaining about how handbags could never quite hold all her things to her seatmate. It just so happens her seatmate was Jean-Louis Dumas, who was, you know, the chief executive and artistic director of luxury brand Hermes! Some lightbulb lit up in Dumas, and, boom, the Birkin bag was born!
What does it mean to Jane-Birkinfy a bag?
This is where the bag charms come in. Jane Birkin, with her down-to-earth nature, never treated her personal Birkin like it was worth a house and more.
Instead, she filled it so much it couldn’t close! Every inch of it was covered in charms, bobbles, souvenirs, remembrances of any kind. It was clear it was her bag, no one else’s. It wasn’t in the best condition but was as beautiful as its owner.
Despite her passing in 2021, W Magazine says her fashion lives on in runways as brands like Coach, Miu-Miu, Fendi, Loewe, and more come out with lines of bag charms. Fashionistas are now inspired to “Jane-Birkinfy” their bags, hanging cute, expensive trinkets to match the actress’ aesthetic.
Yet, even if the high-fashion industry continues to use her as inspiration, Jane Birkin herself was not tied to their extravagance. She was a fashion icon because she didn’t need luxury goods to look beautiful. For the longest time, she didn’t even have a bag to decorate! All she had was a basket!
In other words, fashionistas don’t need to break the bank to be an icon Jane Birkin would approve of. People have been decorating their bags online with the most random things on the market – stuffed toys, lip gloss, food, you name it!
How to Jane-Birkinfy your bag
Like Jane, people only need to be themselves for fashion to come through. If you want a Jane-Birkinfied bag without sacrificing your college tuition, here are some ideas to get you started!
Choose the right bag
While Jane used a handbag, there’s no rule saying you can’t Birkinfy a backpack, briefcase, or even a pencil case. After all, a fashionista can make anything cute, and that’s what you are!
But, if you’re still worried, several Korean brands offer bags that are both utilitarian and stylish.
Nonetheless, the original Birkin bag was made to be useful, so decorate something you’ll actually use to really get into the Birkin spirit!
Add something meaningful
Here’s where we make your bag stand out! Start by stringing on anything that means something to you.
You can add souvenirs from your most recent trip. For example, Gachapons, or keychains from toy capsule machines stationed all over Japan, have been super popular additions to Birkinified bags. But, really, an “I <3 [Insert Country]” keychain will do just fine.
You could also try stringing on a friendship bracelet or a necklace you’ve had for a while from pocket to pocket.
Or, you could buy a photocard holder to carry a picture of someone you love (or a celebrity crush) wherever you go.
Try supporting a small business while you’re at it. There are so many Instagram sellers that create handmade charms nobody else has. You can proudly hang a fashion statement knowing you’re helping a starting entrepreneur out!
If everything fails, try making your own keychain! Recycle things you already have, add a keyring to a toy — the possibilities are endless.
For a bag to truly be Birkinfied, people have to know who your bag belongs to just by the things you strap on, so choose something that best represents you!
Hang everyday essentials
Who says fashion can’t be functional? Try hanging things that are both cute and useful!
For a quick touch-up, you can buy lip balm you can clip onto your bag. You can also just make a hole in a lipstick tube and attach it to another keychain.
Try adding a bottle of hand sanitizer too. You can’t be cute with germs all over you! Grab a themed one from Bath and Body Works – they have hand sanitizer for every occasion (and I mean every occasion).
When you aren’t listening to music, you can hang your headphones too or attach a designated keychain for your AirPods to your front pocket.
If you really need that extra bag space, there’s nothing stopping you from adding a whole new bag!
Wrap everything up in a cute bow
When you feel like something’s missing even after adding everything, try tying a piece of ribbon anywhere on the bag. If you don’t have a ribbon, try a necktie or a 2000s skinny scarf.
Whatever you decide to use, as long as you like it, then it’ll be the perfect touch to finish your one-of-a-kind bag!
Be your own fashion icon
Like everything else in fashion, there’s no right or wrong way to decorate your bag. If you want to splurge on a bag charm, go ahead! But just remember, it isn’t a requirement to fork up a couple thousand dollars to make a fashion statement. There are no rules, except to express yourself as best you can!
So be your own Jane Birkin – dress the way you want and carry the bag you want. Do what makes you feel like you and the fashion will follow!
