From rugged oilskin carryalls to crocheted strawberries and leather ghosties, these B.C. bag brands are leaning into playful add-ons that turn everyday accessories into conversation starters—proof that even the most practical pieces can have a little personality.
1. Pemberton Bag Company
Fashionable adventurers: meet your match. Pemberton Bag Company founder Nina Babiuk wanted to create a sustainable bag for her camping and boating excursions, and turned to waterproof oilskin fabric (originally used by Scottish fishermen) to create durable, handmade bucket bags ($210), market bags ($130) and firewood carriers ($150).
2. Herschel Supply Co.
Legendary B.C. bag company gone global Herschel Supply Co. has had a finger on the pulse since its inception in 2009—and now that extends to bag charms. The company is serving up mini versions of some of their most famous items, like the mini Herschel classic backpack bag charm ($14) or the Sylas classic cap bag charm ($14), which has a secret zipper compartment in which to store your smallest essentials.
3. Jane the Brand
Your accessories need accessories and Deana Bobic and Jane McFadden from Jane the Brand know it. The women-owned fashion label makes shoe and bag charms that turn up the dial on your self-expression, like the ramen bowl tempura charm ($18) for folks who want to wear their favourite dish on their sleeve—err, bag.
4. Mameyo Goods
Mameyo Goods has been hawking small-batch, natural leather bags since 2016, with bucket bags and fanny packs running up to $415. So, naturally, these handmade leather statement pieces deserve a statement piece of their very own: bag charms made with leather offcuts, like the Little Leather Ghosties ($35)—complete with a cute cowboy hat—or the Cherry Blossom ($40), featuring three blossoms hanging from a silver chain.
5. Erin Templeton
Vancouverites know well the narrow, bubblegum-pink shop with a yellow door in Chinatown as leather bag maker Erin Templeton’s home base (it’s been there for nearly two decades); inside, Templeton handmakes leather bags like the Gunny Sack ($525) and the Dumpling ($525), the latter a versatile leather pouch purse whose rounded bottom mimics the shape of its edible namesake.
6. Churi
Churi’s made-in-B.C. crocheted bag adornments emanate with cutesy, crafty charm, with designs ranging from a pair of strawberries on a crocheted chain ($16) to butterflies and bell flowers ($25) that can be tied on to your purse du jour.
