Millennial collectibles are making a comeback and these are the ones we have our eyes on

Flip through a millennial’s slam book and you’re likely to find a universal time capsule: jelly shoes, rhinestone-embellished jeans, beaded bracelets, fruity chapsticks. There’s been a resurgence of sorts, because fashion is, of course, cyclical.

Then, a subsequent wave of nostalgia for the '90s kids with a little contemporary Gen Z spin has been nothing short of irresistible. Millennial collecting today is less about hoarding and more about storytelling: a butterfly clip is a bridge to a teenage summer, a rhinestone barrette can instantly take you to party mode in the middle of a workday, and a mini bag is both a fashion statement and a memory vessel. These objects are tiny, but they carry disproportionate emotional heft, and in an era that prizes both authenticity and self-curation, that moment-driven memory is priceless.

Here’s why those little collectibles—sentimental, sparkly, and highly Instagrammable—are suddenly the objects of grown-up desire.

Butterfly clips and barrettes 

These whimsical accessories were often created in pastel colours, optionally encrusted with crystals. The current iterations have gemstones, pearls, and patterns, making the butterfly clip or barrette as playful as it is pretty. You can scatter them across a low ponytail, add a coy twist to a messy bun or frame your face with tiny pins for instant coquette-energy.

Low-rise jeans

After a decade of high-waist dominance, designers and street style stars have pushed low-rise back into the cultural conversation. Perhaps the greatest relic of casually promoting disordered eating all through the '90s, it’s little wonder that the resurgence of current style icons like Dua Lipa and Bella Hadid is sending waves of quiet shudders down every millennial’s back.  

Baguette bags

The bite-sized bag has evolved into reissues and reinterpretations across heritage brands. With fashion houses launching several versions of the micro-bag trend, millennials are leaning into the trend as a statement piece that they had already championed years ago.

Rhinestone embellishments

Sequins and bedazzled baby tees are having a moment. Ask any millennial and they’ll tell you how a casual smattering of sparkle transported daily essentials like sunglasses, jeans, et al into cool ensemble territory. The appetite for cinematic dressing is stronger than ever, with runways spotlighting crystal details.

Statement belts

Thick or thin, every millennial worth their flared jeans flaunted a statement belt. From extra-large logos to intricately decorated buckles, the return of the belt is everywhere. After years of minimalism and restraint, the flamboyant look is certainly turning heads.

Phone and bag charms

One thing that has clearly not changed, whether for millennials or Gen Z, is our dependence on phones. Adorning them, and bags for good measure, with charms is the new way to give the world a cute peek into your personality. Beyond nostalgia, charms act as micro-expressions of identity: think zodiac signs, favourite food, initials, and celestial motifs. They’re personalised, collectable, and endlessly remixable.

Beaded jewellery

Childhood jewellery staples included layered charms and beaded bracelets. The Gen Z resurgence is also DIY-focused, which dovetails with the incorporation of cool phrases and words that showcase their personality. From translucent, colourful beads to necklaces emblazoned with motifs and charms and the unforgettable seashells, these offer a playful form of self-expression.

Let this be your sign to peek into your childhood memorabilia, and enjoy trying one small throwback at a time. The idea is to take the best parts of those days—the playfulness, the irreverence, the little moments of joy—and wear them with the confidence of someone who’s learned that prized possessions carry meaning. After all, nostalgia is the chicest accessory of all. 

All images: Getty Images 

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