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Top Shoe Charms and Sneaker Pairings of 2025
In case you haven’t heard, personalization is in when making a fashion statement this summer. And while handbags are still fertile ground for this kind of expression — “Jane Birkin-ifying” your bag by loading it up with tassels and trinkets is something that’s perennially appealing — shoe charms have had a meteoric rise since spring. If you ask us, they’re the newest (and coolest) way to infuse character into your warm-weather ensembles. Our perceptive, chronically online shopping editors predicted this trend a few months ago, and, by now, there’s no shortage of inspiration for the taking on how to elevate the looks of your everyday sneakers vis-à-vis baubles, lace clips, chains, pom poms, and other decorations.
Back when we first reported on shoe charms, there weren’t many statistics available to quantify their emerging popularity. But this spring alone, per the trend forecasting platform Trendalytics, average weekly TikTok posts featuring shoe charms have spiked by 217 percent, proving the trend isn’t exclusive to the runways. During its spring 2025 show, Miu Miu pampered the Plume, Tyre, and Gymnasium sneakers with the ultimate charm treatment, marked by clip-on and thread-through additions that included cutesy fabric pinwheels. Coach, too, didn’t shy away from a little footwear playfulness at New York Fashion Week last year, for which the brand’s Soho Sneaker was introduced to childlike whimsy — by way of prominent charms taking up prime real estate on the shoe’s upper and, understandably, attracting all the attention.
Both Miu Miu and Coach saw the traction these brand moments received and proceeded to successfully leverage it, by finally making their designer shoe charms shoppable. Last month, Miu Miu released leather tassels (which it playfully calls “tricks”), color-happy cord laces, and delightful brooches on its site — in a special section called the Custom Studio, which allows you to grab the brand’s low-profile runners and cult-favorite handbags in the same breath to easily formulate your distinctive styling equation. As another example of a luxury shoe charm hard launch we couldn’t be more excited to see, Coach restocked its Taxi Shoe Charm and Vintage Car Shoe Charm, alongside a dice one (Coach, if you’re reading this, we’re still patiently waiting on your deer charm!).
While most footwear accessories that can be attached to laces tend to skew smaller, there’s nothing itty-bitty or demure about Coach’s take, seeing as how the vehicles measure over five inches in length and the dice clocks in at 1.75 inches for that metric. Want a one-and-done kind of purchase? Invest in the ’90s Pack Soho Sneaker With Charms from Coach, which offers access to ’90s-inspired, much-less-bulky charms you can’t buy separately: like a cassette tape, cell phone, and tiny dice that won’t add any extra weight to your walk.
Maximalism is clearly alive and well, with our favorite tastemakers acting as cosigners when it comes to shoe charm–based personality statements. For Coach’s NYFW show this February, Ella Emhoff tapped into the trend with the brand’s deer charm placed on a Soho Sneaker that was further DIY’ed with fanciful doodles. The accessory naturally turned the gaze downward and granted refreshing contrast to her darker, suede-powered outfit. Influencer Giovanna Ramos also took the opportunity to don not just one but two charms on her white sneakers during Coach’s runway event.
Ella Emhoff is seen arriving to Coach’s New York Fashion Week show on February 10, 2025, wearing the Soho Sneakers with a deer charm on one shoe.
Courtesy Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images
As for Miu Miu’s leather shoe ornaments, they’re finding just as many celebrity devotees. Sydney Sweeney, for one, posted a photo and video of herself sitting in an RV in April: showing off her white Plume Suede Sneakers taken to colorful heights through an assortment of Miu Miu shoe charms and three different kinds of laces, for good measure. Fashion influencer Aimee Song’s version of a Plume-fueled getup is one punctuated by a suede midi skirt and jacket, crew socks, and cool-girl shades made more modish by the fact that she’s skateboarding while wearing Miu Miu’s charmed-up shoes.
Other brands are paying attention to these shoe charm updates and following suit, with the releases of the exclusive Nike Cortez sneakers in collaboration with Printemps Paris’ first store in NYC (dolled up, as they are, with elegant, gilded charms on the laces) and, more recently, the adidas x UnheardOf “Grandma’s Couch 2” Rivalry Low sneakers, topped with a keychain holding floral charms. Nike has also entered the shoe charm chat, but not through a collab. Instead, its women’s Air Jordan 4 Retro “Aluminum” shoe drop this month marks a new colorway addition that’s amped up by removable appliqué.
Nike and adidas are two legacy shoe brands that are saying a firm “yes” to charms, without sacrificing an ounce of their design sensibilities.
Courtesy adidas, Nike
While you can skip some steps and buy a shoe pre-loaded with charms, TikTokers are demonstrating the power of a little self-initiated craftiness — with videos racking up thousands of views, in which they pair a green-striped Adidas Gazelle with on-trend cherry charms; whip up their own versions of the ultra-popular ballerina sneaker by swapping regular laces for ribbon ones, but not before threading pearl-bedecked charms through them; or else help an all-white Chuck Taylor All Star Lugged Heel Platform give off major Y2K vibes with glass beads. This latter case makes it clear that shoe charms don’t only look good on slim silhouettes; the whole point of the endeavor, after all, is to think outside the (shoe)box.
It’s safe to say that the craze surrounding shoe personalization had its genesis during the golden age of Crocs Jibbitz, which are retaining their appeal thanks to buzzy partnerships with luxury brands like Simone Rocha and Swarovski. High-end labels are actively contributing to this fixation as well; it’s quite en vogue right now, for example, to have on-site activations that allow customers to walk away with a shoe that’s uniquely theirs. Golden Goose’s experiential retail space in NYC epitomizes the concept in its Co-Creation Bar: a section of the store where eager individuals can customize their acquisitions with patches, charms, pins, brooches, crystals, studs, embroidery, paint, and the like.
As early as at the beginning of this year, A-listers were already on board with this hands-on approach to revamping their footwear. Offset, for instance, looked like he was having fun choosing which gilded clip-ons to put on his Air Force 1s during an event held by Nike and Coastal Caviar back in February. “It’s official,” the TikTok video’s on-screen text reads. “Real men love charms.”
Beyond shoes, people are also paying more attention to what goes on their ankles with the present-day boom of the anklet trend. Anklets are nothing new, of course; one look back at early aughts red carpets and the bling choices of Victoria Beckham, Britney Spears, and Paris Hilton are enough to confirm that. Yet, like many 2000s trends, this one’s having a massive renaissance at the moment. Rihanna recently managed to make her now-sold-out, lime-green Fenty x Puma Cat Cleat Jelly sandals even louder, courtesy of anklet stacks and a bedazzled toe chain; Kylie Jenner leaned into fancy ankle jewels with a double-wrapped Chanel anklet; and Kim Kardashian followed suit with diamond anklets worn while barefoot on a beach.
Though we’ve yet to see both shoe charms and ankle bracelets simultaneously embraced by celebrities, it’s only a matter of time until the accessories link up, which we can bet will be the case for summer 2025. Ready to become the walk of the town? Below are all the shoe charms (and anklets, because why not?) we’re adding to cart today, as well as the sneaker styles that make them especially worth it.
Top Shoe Charms to Shop Today
Coach Taxi Shoe Charm
Coach‘s spring 2025 runway show, during which the charm-clad Soho Sneaker debuted, ended up being an ode to New York through a youthful lens. This yellow cab charm in particular is an appropriate symbol of the city: right up there with a pretzel and a pigeon. Show off your urban side with this charmer, while giving white sneakers some much-needed yellow zest.
Coach Vintage Car Shoe Charm
This vintage pink car’s only flaw is that you won’t be able to take it for a real test drive, but sporting it on your shoes will have to suffice. Coach recommends twisting the charm asymmetrically once it’s threaded through your laces for an even quirkier look.
Coach Dice Shoe Charm
Ready to try your luck and roll the dice? This resin object is bigger than you think, meaning placing it on top of your shoes will make you all the luckier.
Adina Reyter Good Luck Horseshoe Pendant Charm
Fine jewelry designer Adina Reyter’s horseshoe charm is incredibly simple to thread through your laces, continuing that whole luck motif put into motion by Coach’s dice charm. The yellow-gold stunner was made with necklaces in mind, but that shouldn’t stop you from writing your own sartorial narrative.
Kay Jewelers Sapphire Shoelace Charm
Can’t resist adding a touch of glam to your everyday shoes? Enter: this sterling-silver bar charm, paved with six round-cut sapphires. Crafted especially for sneakers, think of it as an instant upgrade to your kicks’ toe vamps that will make your entire ensemble look a lot more upscale.
Maison Irem Pearl Bow Shoe Charms
While swapping standard nylon laces for pearl strands might be an impractical venture, clipping on two little pearl bows at your sneakers’ centers is an effortless maneuver that will pay dividends in sheer beauty. As many TikTokers make clear, pearls go amazingly well with organza ribbons, gilded charms, and pastel-colored shoes as a foundation for all those feminine flourishes.
Notte Jewelry Let Me Sea Pearly Earrings
Lorde wore a silver fish charm in her Met Gala braided hair this year, and this is further proof that the fisherman aesthetic is here to stay. Pay your respects through fish-themed shoe charms such as these, which are actually earrings whose hoops you can easily attach to laces. High quality here is a guarantee, based on that handmade glass, freshwater pearls, gold-plated brass, and other top-tier, dazzling materials used to make the set.
Maison de Sabré The Sabremoji Fruit Charm
Maison de Sabré’s zippable bags charms — which you can place on everything from totes to wallets for extra space — are icons, so who says you can’t break the rules a bit and clip one somewhere on your sneaker’s upper? This tiny blueberry charm is the most delicious conversation starter and a way to keep your arcade coins close by as you skip around town.
Ana Luisa Sneaker Charm
A sneaker on a sneaker? This shoe charm purchase’s irony is not lost on us. Beyond the looks and laughs the Ana Luisa mini sneaker will inspire, it also benefits from a 10-karat, solid-gold construction and a light weight (0.34 grams, to be exact) that won’t interfere with all your city walking.
BP. Assorted Shoe Charms
Not satisfied with just one charm? Here are eight. These gold-plated gems aren’t luxe, but that will make you less fearful of accidentally losing one. We’re especially fond of that croissant, cherry cluster (in line with the cherry-everything trend called out in 2025’s Pinterest Predicts report), and crescent moon. A white or pale pink shoe will serve as the ideal carte blanche on which these charms can glitter and dazzle.
Free People Maxx-ed Out Shoe Charms
If you’re feeling a bit grunge lately, convey that with the help of this silver charm set featuring a safety pin, chains, and various spiritual symbols. These charms will absolutely pop over a jewel-toned shoe (think indigo suede), while adding a bit of edge to your look.
Roxanne Assoulin Mini Happy Heart Charm
It’s never too late or too early to flaunt your romantic tendencies in an obvious way. This heart charm from Roxanne Assoulin comes in many other emoji-inspired shades — in case you don’t approve of the Millennial pink that’s been coming back with a vengeance — and the one-inch piece could also be reused on bracelets, necklaces, or your key carabiner.
Free People Bandana Shoe Charms
As an homage of sorts to 2025’s boho-chic revival and the general buzz around music festival attire, secure these bandana strands onto your favorite pair of shoes. In yellow, the braided beauts are quite summery, and that fabric will ensure a lightweight feel you’ll be grateful for.
Snidel Flower Shoe Charms
Foolproof options for softening the sportiness and rigidity of Nike Air Force 1s or similar styles, these floral accents include pearls and gold-tone add-ons for a sprinkling of luxury. Suddenly, your sneakers will become just-right for pairing with one of the best spring dresses or wearing out to date nights and other special occasions that call for a bit more oomph style-wise.
Oscar de la Renta Crystal O Charm
Though this is also technically a bag charm, technicality goes out the window after the first glance at this precious chain-link charm from Oscar de la Renta — which stuns with its many-colored glass crystals in the shape of the luxury brand’s logo. Stretch it from eyelet to eyelet, and make sure those clasps are secure. This is the one shoe charm you won’t be OK with losing.
Golden Goose Cowboy Hat Charm
To ace Beyoncé and Bella Hadid’s aesthetic of choice — cowboy core, of course — look no further than this delightful brass-and-glass charm that takes the form of a cowboy hat. Though it will feel right at home on Golden Goose’s bead-embellished Super-Star Sneaker, every shoe under the sun will be leveled up by the ornament that harkens back to the lawless, rugged days of the Wild West.
Top Anklets to Compliment Your Shoe Charms
Roxanne Assoulin Flower Patch Anklet Duo
St. Moran Phoebe Grid Anklet
Chic & Artsy Sterling Silver Ankle Bracelet
Dorsey Paracord Noir et Blanc Tie Anklet
Best Shoes to Personalize With Shoe Charms
Coach Soho Sneaker in Loved Leather
Nike Cortez Textile Sneaker
Nike Air Force 1 ’07 Next Nature Shoe
New Balance 574 Core Sneaker
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis, and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
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Meet the Author
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD and FN. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on footwear trends and runway style.
