Trinket Girl Culture
Why We’re All Falling in Love with Tiny Treasures
There’s something about a small, sentimental object that holds more emotion than anything grand ever could. Over the past year, the internet has been full of talk about “trinket girls” — people who collect, curate, and treasure tiny things that make life feel more magical. As someone who has always been drawn to keepsakes and collectables, I completely understand the appeal.
At Sorrell Jewels, the idea of collecting meaningful pieces runs through everything I do, so I wanted to share what trinket girl culture means to me and why I think it resonates so deeply right now.
Zine making afternoon filled with glitter and glue.
A Lifelong Collector
As a teenager, I was forever keeping hold of sentimental things. From best-friend necklaces shaped like two halves of a heart to the charms that filled my iconic Pandora bracelet, I loved anything that carried a story. My family collects fridge magnets from every holiday, and since I can remember I’ve been fascinated by jewellery, those tiny treasures that feel like wearable memories.
Being a trinket girl is really about collecting and the thrill of the hunt. It’s about appreciating random, tiny pieces of treasure - a pebble from the beach, a forgotten arcade toy, a lucky coin found at the bottom of a drawer. Little things can hold the biggest emotions.
My Haricot Vert charm necklace in action
Comfort in Nostalgia
In the last couple of years, trinket culture has taken off everywhere, and I can see why. I’ve never been a minimalist, so it’s a trend I naturally gravitated towards. It also felt easy to weave into Sorrell Jewels through charms and pendants, objects that already carry meaning and symbolism.
In a world that often feels unpredictable, surrounding ourselves with small, sentimental pieces brings comfort. These tiny tokens act as anchors, reminders of moments and places that make us feel safe, lucky, or loved.
Sourcing vintage charms for London to Crete
The Joy of the Hunt
When I’m out sourcing vintage pieces for Sorrell Jewels, the hunt itself is half the magic. I love the thrill of rummaging through market stalls and antique shops, but what makes it truly special is the story behind each piece. Whether it’s a charm from a small shop in Crete or a vintage ring discovered at Bermondsey Market, every find carries a bit of history and heart.
Liv from Salad Days with her trinket charm stack featuring Sorrell Jewels and other amazing small businesses.
Creative Collecting
Trinket girl culture isn’t just about jewellery; it’s about creativity and self-expression. From charms and stickers to zines and keepsakes, collecting is a way to show all the different sides of ourselves.
My own habits include (unsurprisingly) jewellery and stickers. Each piece has a story, a ring crafted by a maker I met at a market, a charm picked up while travelling. Those memories intertwine to create something completely unique.
One of my favourite parts of this trend is how playful it is. People are personalising their jewellery in new ways, turning chains into handbag accessories, adding charms to keyrings, mixing and matching their pieces to reflect their mood. In a world that’s increasingly digital, these small acts of creativity help us stay connected to something real and tactile.
My Stanley cups covered in stickers (naturally).
Meaning Over Mass Consumption
Like anything popular, trinket culture has a side that leans towards overconsumptionm, think blind-box buying or mass-produced mystery trinkets. That’s not what I connect with. The real joy of collecting comes from meaning, from choosing pieces that truly resonate. When every addition to your collection feels intentional and sentimental, it becomes something to cherish rather than just another purchase.
My bag charm collection featuring hand-made trinkets.
Why It Matters
Maybe there’s a deeper psychological reason why we collect, why so many of us are drawn to nostalgia and tiny treasures. But for me, it’s simple: it brings joy. I’m a sentimental person through and through, and I think that’s something to celebrate.
Trinket girl culture might be a trend to some, but I see it as more of a mindset, one that values memory, connection, and creativity. I hope it’s here to stay.
If you love charms, talismans, and nostalgic keepsakes as much as I do, explore the latest Charm Collection and Ring Drop, each one a tiny piece of treasure waiting to tell its next story.