We’re sure you’ll have noticed that Labubus are everywhere right now. We’re sure you’ve also noticed that they aren’t the easiest of things to get your hands on, consistently selling out from Pop Mart and other retailers. The hysteria has now reached such levels that you can rent one (yes, seriously), but here at Cosmo, we believe there are alternative ways to get in on the cute bag charm trend.
So if you’re bored of waiting – or simply bored of seeing the little creatures popping up all over the streets and your social feeds – we have compiled a list of recommendations that are available to add to your cart RN. No stress required, just plenty of adorable vibes.
Jellycat
Jellycat Amuseables Sports Football bag charm spotted during New York Fashion Week
While also trending pretty heavily right now, Jellycat bag charms are much easier to secure than Labubus. The London-founded brand is best known for its cute, childlike plushie toys, opening its first studio in 1999. The current charms range from animals, including bunnies, dogs and frogs, to food like pretzels, cherries and croissants. They have also introduced a variety of sports ball figures, complete with mini caps, limbs and of course, smiling faces. Instant need.
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Crybaby
Crybaby bag charm
Hot on the heels of Labubu are fellow Pop Mart offering Crybaby. You’ll likely have already spotted these crying, sad-faced-yet-adorable dolls amongst the sea of furry fang-toothed creatures. Also coming in a blind box, you can’t pick which one you get (which is part of the fun), but all of them need cheering up…like us on a Monday.
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Crybaby Cheer Up, Baby! plush pendant bag charm
Crybaby Sunset Concert plush pendant bag charm
Noodall
Founded by Yiyang Wang while studying at art school in London, Noodall was inspired by the shapes of the noodles and rice of her native Taiwan (hence the company name). It now produces a whole host of adorable character keyrings, including mushrooms, dumplings and dinosaurs. Recommended by Senior Features Writer, Kimberley Bond, who said, “My boyfriend got me a Noodoll charm for my birthday! It’s a British-made brand and you can take a personality test to create your own personalised plushie based on your habits, etc. Also, it’s just much cuter than Lububu.”
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Noodoll Ricemogu Keyring
Noodoll Ricedumpling keyring
Sylvianian Families
If you’re after a genuine hit of nostalgia, look no further than Sylvianian Families, which Cosmo’s Deputy Social Manager, Izzy Trood, admits she has a “soft spot” for. The miniature animal figurines you likely played with as a child now offer key chain versions, ready to be attached to your favourite accessory — no toy town or play house required. Not only are they super cute, the animals also come wearing rather fab outfits, if we do say so ourselves…
School Girl Tuxedo Cat Baby Key Chain
Bedtime Walnut Squirrel Baby Key Chain
SkullPanda
SkullPanda Winter Symphony Series Plush
“People on TikTok love Crybaby and Skullpanda,” claims Beauty Writer slash resident Gen-Z expert, Lia Mappoura. More on the gothic side, these feminine dolls all have different looks when it comes to their hair, make-up and outfits. As per Pop Mart’s standard, they come in a blind box, so you’ve got to collect them all. Their popularity is creeping up, as none of the plushie charms are in stock online currently, but there’s plenty of other merch to satiate your appetite until that sweet, sweet re-stock hits.
SkullPanda The Mirage Series Breastpin
SkullPanda The Mirage Series Phone Case
Tamagotchi
A Tamagotchi amongst a selection of bag charms
“A fashion friend dug out her old Tamagotchi to put on her bag,” says Senior Fashion Writer, Alex Dale. A millennial relic enters the chat… These digital pets were all the rage in the late ’90s, and many died rather tragic deaths as you had to remember to feed, water and play with them to keep them alive. We didn’t have social media back then, you see. Now, however, these little keyrings have the perfect throwback aesthetic to clip to your vintage Coach bag — authentic Y2K at its finest.
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Pucky
Pucky Forest Party Series
Our expert Lia has another recommendation in the form of Pucky. “The mushroom one is so cute and also loved on TikTok,” she said. This baby-like figure is also currently in stock on the Pop Mart website, so run, don’t walk! We can’t imagine it’s going to stay there for long.
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Pucky Mushroom Baby bag charm
Pucky Flower Baby bag charm
Anything, actually
Senior Fashion Editor, Rebecca’s DIY sponge bag charm
My humble opinion is that anything can be a bag charm if you want it to be. Please see the current sparkly daisy attached to my black leather tote — believe it or not, it’s actually a sponge. Obviously, it’s far too cute to be scrubbing plates, so I attached it to my current bag bundle. If you have a carabiner clip, the limit does not exist! I bet you have plenty of cute objects at home just ready and waiting to be charm-ified.
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Rebecca Jane Hill is the Senior Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan UK. She has previously contributed to publications including Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Refinery29, The Face, Glamour and Stylist. She started her own magazine, Sister, in 2012 whilst at university. Focused around feminism, fashion and culture, it went on to produce 12 globally stocked print issues, as well as countless events and partnerships. She closed the magazine in 2023.
Rebecca has been an associate lecturer at London College of Fashion since 2018, where she teaches on the Fashion Journalism course. She is a passionate second-hand shopper and is constantly on the lookout for new design talent.