The phone charm is back and it’s not just a cute accessory from the Y2K era. It’s a full-blown fashion statement championed by the world’s biggest stars.
Once dismissed as a fleeting trend popular with flip phones, the phone charm trend has officially re-emerged as a must-have accessory, blending nostalgia, utility, and high fashion. Celebrities are transforming their most-used device into a personal style canvas, opting for colorful wristlets, custom beaded straps, and even collectible art toys.
So, who exactly is leading the charge, and which brands are dominating the celebrity phone charm market? We dive into the specific stars, styles, and reasons behind this charming resurgence.
The A-List of What Celebrities have Phone Charms
The trend has been embraced by a diverse group of global icons, solidifying the phone charm’s status as a necessary piece of high-low styling. They are not just wearing them; they are making them essential parts of their outfits.
Check Our Mini Plushie for Your Phone Charms
1. The Beaded Wristlet Movement: String Ting
The brand most credited with reigniting the phone charm’s popularity is String Ting. Founded during the pandemic, this brand focuses on beaded wristlet straps that provide both security (acting as a wrist lanyard) and a fun, customizable aesthetic.
| Celebrity | Style of Charm | Key Association |
| Dua Lipa | Beaded Wristlets | She often styles brightly colored, long beaded straps with her high-fashion looks, embracing the playful, nostalgic feel. |
| Gigi Hadid | Custom & Gemstone | Known for wearing personalized and elegant versions, showing that the trend can be sophisticated, not just cute. |
| Kendall Jenner | “Jolly Rancher” | Famously photographed with the brand’s vibrant, colorful beaded wristlet, proving its place in the model-off-duty aesthetic. |
| Kaia Gerber | Minimalist Beads | Uses the charms as a subtle but fun accent to her minimalist style, often choosing muted or earthy tones. |
| Miley Cyrus | Quirky, Colorful | Aligns with her eccentric style, using bold color combinations to make a statement. |
2. The Collectible Art Charms: Pop Mart’s Labubu
In a fascinating evolution of the trend, some celebrities have swapped beads for collectible figures, specifically the Labubu character from the toy company Pop Mart. This trend appeals to the “kidultification” of fashion, where adults embrace nostalgic, playful items.
- Rihanna: The ultimate fashion disruptor, Rihanna has been photographed carrying the cute but slightly strange-looking Labubu character attached to her phone, instantly giving the collectible toy it-bag status.
- Lady Gaga & Blackpink’s Lisa: Both have been spotted using these small, quirky collectible figures, highlighting a shift towards unique, limited-edition art pieces as phone charms.
3. The Custom Case Connoisseurs
While many stars use beaded charms, others rely on high-quality, often personalized cases and charms that offer a luxe feel.
- Blackpink’s Rosé: A noted fan of Wildflower Cases, a popular brand known for its distinctive and colorful phone accessories, solidifying the K-pop influence on the phone charm trend.
- Hilary Duff & Katherine Schwarzenegger: These stars are fans of personalized phone cases and charms, such as those from BaubleBar, which often feature initials or monograms, adding a layer of maturity to the playful trend.
Why The Phone Charm is Back: More Than Just Nostalgia
The resurgence of the celebrity phone charm is not accidental. It’s driven by a confluence of cultural and functional forces:
1. The Y2K Nostalgia Wave
The most significant cultural driver is the ongoing Y2K fashion revival. Phone charms directly evoke the early 2000s, when mobiles were more a novelty than a necessity. The playful, DIY aesthetic of beaded accessories perfectly fits the modern desire for fashion that feels fun, low-stakes, and unpretentious.
2. Form Meets Function
Modern phone charms, particularly the wristlet-style straps, solve a genuine modern problem: dropping expensive smartphones.
- Security: The strap allows users to loop the phone around their wrist, preventing accidental drops.
- Accessibility: It keeps the phone instantly accessible without having to dig into a bag or pocket.
Also Read: What Are The Benefits of Phone Charms? More Than Just Style
3. The K-Pop and Global Influence
The trend has been strong in East Asia for years, particularly among K-pop idols and fans. K-pop groups often collaborate with phone accessory brands (like Blackpink’s collaboration with Casetify), and fans create or buy charms inspired by the group’s “lightsticks” or aesthetics. This global influence is a major factor in Western celebrity adoption.
How to Style Your Own Celebrity-Inspired Phone Charm
The beauty of the phone charm trend is its versatility. You can use it to contrast your phone case or match your overall aesthetic.
- Embrace the “High-Low” Look: Pair a brightly colored, low-cost beaded charm with an expensive, minimalist phone case (like an iPhone Pro) for a fashionable juxtaposition, a trick often used by models like Gigi Hadid.
- Match Your Bag Charm: Extend the style beyond your phone by matching your phone charm to a key charm or bag charm. This creates a cohesive, well-thought-out accessory look.
- Go Custom: Use initials or meaningful colors to create a personalized wristlet. Customization is a key element of the current trend, making your accessory truly one-of-a-kind.
Conclusion: A Small Accessory with a Huge Impact
The phone charm is much more than a nostalgic throwback; it’s a fully functional and deeply personal accessory that celebrities have used to inject joy and individuality into their everyday tech. From the pragmatic String Ting wristlets used by supermodels to the high-art statement of a Labubu collectible carried by pop royalty, the trend proves that even the smallest accessory can have the biggest impact on personal style.
Whether you’re looking for a fun beaded strap or a chic, personalized leather tassel, this celebrity-backed trend offers an accessible way to elevate your everyday look.
For businesses looking to capitalize on this trend, phone charms and customized tech accessories make fantastic, memorable corporate gifts. At Switts, we specialize in high-quality, customizable corporate gifts in Singapore, helping your brand make an equally charming impression.
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