Bag Charms and Twilly Scarves Under $50: The Easiest Way to Make a Plain Bag Feel Like Yours

Bag Charms and Twilly Scarves Under $50 featuring a variety of bag charms and twillies from JuJu Loves

SHOP Every Piece and More Below

You already own the bag. It has served you well. But somewhere along the way it started to feel a little plain — the same brown tote you carry on autopilot, the black crossbody that goes with everything and stands out for nothing.

Here's the good news: you don't need a new handbag. You need one small thing tied to the handle or clipped to the zipper. A twilly scarf. A charm that swings when you walk. A little tassel in a color you love. Under $50, and the bag you've had for two years suddenly looks like you picked it out this morning.

Getting your bag right is part of getting dressed, and getting dressed is how you tell yourself the day matters. So let's give your favorite bag a second life for less than the price of lunch out.

Why a $28 Accessory Beats a Brand-New Bag

Bag charms and twilly scarves are having a real moment — they're one of the most searched accessory trends going, and for good reason. A single charm or a scarf tied around the handle changes the whole personality of a bag without you spending hundreds on something new.

Green tote bag with striped base and colorful scarf, on a white background

SHOP the Coastal Print Twilly Scarf — $28.50

There's a practical side too. When you wrap a twilly around a handle, it does more than add color — it shields the handle from the hand oils and everyday wear that eventually darken and crack leather. You're dressing up your bag and helping it last longer at the same time.

And these pieces are not one-note. A twilly moves from your bag handle to your hair to your wrist to your neck depending on your mood. A charm you clip on today comes off tomorrow. That's the whole appeal: small, swappable, and completely yours. Designer twillies run well over $150 — everything here is under $50.

The Twillies

A twilly is a long, narrow silk-feel scarf made to wrap a bag handle, though it never stays in one place for long. Here are the two prints worth starting with.

Luxe Print Twilly Scarf for Handbags

Three colorful scarf twillies with geometric patterns on a white background

SHOP the Luxe Print Twilly Scarf — $28.50

Bold, graphic, and a little bit loud in the best way. This is the twilly for the bag that needs a wake-up call — knot it around a neutral tote and the color does all the talking. Wrap it down the handle for a cleaner look, or tie it in a quick bow when you want the print front and center.

Coastal Print Twilly Scarf

Two colorful scarves with patterned designs on a white background

SHOP the Coastal Print Twilly Scarf — $28.50

Softer and made for summer, with a print that feels like a day near the water. This one is happiest on a straw or woven bag, but it doubles as a hair scarf when you want the same print in your ponytail. Two looks, one $28.50 scarf.

The Bag Charms and Tassels

Bag Charms and Tassel Keychains

Collection of miniature handbag, cherry, and tassel bag charms on a white background

SHOP the Bag Charms and Tassel Keychains — from $22

One clip, a lot of options. The mini tote charm is the piece everyone's reaching for right now — a tiny structured bag that hangs off your real one, the exact look filling every handbag feed. There's a cherry charm if you want something playful, and leather tassels if you'd rather keep it quiet. Starting at $22, it's the easiest way to test the trend without overthinking it.

Prefer a pin to a clip? A brooch works the same magic on a bag — more on that in our guide to bag brooches.

One More Small Thing: The Rope Bow Hair Clip

Rope Bow Hair Clip, Natural

Back view of a woman wearing a beige rope bow hair clip and navy tee with the ocean in the background

SHOP the Rope Bow Hair Clip — $28

The same idea that works on your bag works on your hair. This natural rope bow clip finishes a low bun or holds back the front pieces on a busy morning, and it sits right next to your summer twilly in the same small-thing, big-shift category. If hair accessories are your weak spot, our roundup of embellished headbands and our guide to how to wear headbands are a good next stop.

How to Tie a Twilly on a Bag Handle

This is the part people search for most, and it takes about thirty seconds once you know it. Three ways to try:

The wrap. Tie one end to the base of the handle, wind the scarf up and around until you reach the top, then knot the other end. Clean, covers and protects the whole handle.

The bow. Loop the twilly once around the handle, cross the ends, and tie a bow. Best when you want the print to be the star.

The knot. Fold the twilly in half, wrap it around the handle, and pull the ends through the loop. Fast, casual, done in one move.

Switch the scarf when your outfit changes and the same bag reads brand new. For even more ways to dress a handbag, our guide to bag accessories that make any handbag look designer breaks down twillies, charms, tassels, and pins side by side.

Which Bag Should You Tie It Onto?

Any bag, honestly — that's the point. But a few of ours were made for it.

The Striped Vegan Leather Messenger Tote in Navy & White ($168) has clean lines and a structured handle that shows off a twilly beautifully, whether you go bold with the Luxe print or breezy with the Coastal. It's the workhorse bag that takes a scarf and instantly looks styled.

Cognac vegan leather messenger tote with navy and white stripe detail — front view showing structured silhouette and gold hardware

SHOP Striped Vegan Leather Messenger Tote in Navy & White ($168)

For the cherry charm, clip it onto the Black & White Tweed Tote ($188). The graphic tweed and the little pop of red were made for each other — playful, a bit retro, and very hard to walk past without a compliment.

Black white tweed tote bag with handles against a white background

SHOP Black & White Tweed Tote ($188)

Warm-weather tip: a twilly looks especially good on a straw or woven bag, so our Large Woven Straw Pool Tote ($78) is a natural match for the Coastal print in summer. Carrying something smaller? A charm sits nicely on a Palm Tassel Jute Clutch ($68), and the Cabana Stripe Tote ($118) loves a scarf tied at the handle. See more in our best beach bags, fall handbags, and clutch purse guides.

The Easiest Gift Under $50

Stuck on a birthday, a thank-you, a little thinking-of-you? A twilly or a charm is a gift that feels personal without the pressure — it works for the friend who has everything and the one who never treats herself. Wrap one on its own, or fold it into a bigger moment with the Surprise Me JuJu Gift Box (from $115) when you want to go all in. For a French-girl spin on the whole look, our Emily in Paris accessories guide is full of ideas.

Quick Picks

Not sure where to begin? Here's the short version based on what you're after.

Best for your first twilly — Luxe Print Twilly Scarf for Handbags — $28.50

Best for summer and double duty in your hair — Coastal Print Twilly Scarf — $28.50

Best trend piece — Bag Charms and Tassels Keychain (mini tote charm) — from $22

Best for your hair — Rope Bow Hair Clip, Natural — $28

Best bag to show it all off — Striped Vegan Leather Messenger Tote — $168

Bag Charm and Twilly Scarf FAQs

What is a twilly scarf?

A twilly is a long, narrow silk-feel scarf, usually wrapped around a bag handle for color and protection. It's small and versatile enough to also wear in your hair, around your neck, or knotted at your wrist. The Luxe Print Twilly Scarf is a good first one.

How do you tie a twilly on a bag handle?

The simplest way: tie one end at the base of the handle, wrap the scarf up and around, then knot the top. Prefer a bow? Loop it once and tie. We walk through all three methods in the styling section above, and our bag accessories guide has more.

Are bag charms still in style?

Very much so — bag charms are one of the biggest accessory trends right now, with the mini tote charm leading the way. Clip one from the Bag Charms and Tassels Keychain and you're on trend for under $25. Love a charm on your wrist too? See why charm bracelets are back.

What bags work best with a twilly or a charm?

Structured handles show off a wrapped twilly, like the Striped Vegan Leather Messenger Tote, while straw and woven bags feel made for a summer print. A charm works on almost anything with a zipper or a D-ring. Browse more in our fall handbags roundup.

Can I wear a twilly in my hair?

Yes — that's half the fun. The Coastal Print Twilly Scarf ties around a ponytail or bun just as easily as a bag handle, and the Rope Bow Hair Clip gives you the same finished look with zero tying. More ideas in how to wear headbands and our headband styles guide.

Do these make good gifts?

They're some of the easiest gifts under $50 — personal, useful, and hard to get wrong. For a bigger gesture, the Surprise Me JuJu Gift Box starts at $115.

Want to see these in person? A curated selection of JuJu Loves pieces is available at Maris DeHart, 32 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC.