The Rise of Trinket Culture in San Antonio
Written by Vi-Linh Nguyen | September 18, 2025
The name Labubu has become a mainstay in popular culture, enough for the grandma down the street to have a semblance of an idea of what it is supposed to be. She may not recognize it if she saw it, but she knows it is a little plush keychain you can hang on your bag or belt. The viral toy is a part of a large category of increasingly popular plush toys and figurines that occasionally double as bag charms, often summed up as “trinkets.” The niche of trinket enjoyers has been growing lately, with San Antonio seeing names like Baby Three or Nommi circulate alongside the famous, or to some infamous, Labubu.
In many ways, the rise of trinket culture in a city that has cultivated its artistic soul for decades has brought a lot of good to San Antonio. People are finding a sense of community with the little figures that decorate their belts and bags. They personalize them and find new ways to express themselves aesthetically, thanks to this fashion accessory export from Asia. Many of the designs of these trinket characters are, quite simply, cute. Similarly to fandom in digital media, there is a sense of camaraderie in the knowledge and stories behind the character trinkets that circulate among collectors.
shelves filled with labubus
Artists and makers alike have also found new ways to expand their craft. Crochet artists will make little clothes and accessories for people to dress up their figures. Product makers expand their lines of merchandise to include depictions of fan-favorite collectible characters, so enjoyers can have their favorite trinket character in more than just bag charm or doll form. There is also an element of nostalgia when it comes to these trinkets, which can help ground individuals mentally when life becomes overwhelming. Nostalgia helps us slow down when the world around us feels too fast to keep up.
Nostalgia, however, is a double-edged sword. Just like the trinkets themselves (whether they are Labubus or from another brand completely, such as Skullpandas), if these blind-box figures become a crutch of nostalgia, they can pose the risk of escapism. That mentality can become unhealthy in the long run. Reality changes around us, and drowning in nostalgia can make us lose sight of those changes. Trinkets themselves can also pose risks of financial irresponsibility and overconsumption. For example, the Big Into Energy collection from the Labubu line, a relatively new addition, normally retails for around thirty U.S. dollars. However, they can be nearly impossible to find for the collector who wants to expand their set, and some resellers, whether wholesale or individual, will mark up prices beyond a reasonable margin—sometimes up to one hundred dollars for a single figure. The small fortune spent on one trinket character is not worth encouraging the greed resellers have displayed with the rise of the craze. Some of these individuals will target the famous Pop Mart vending machines because they do not have to worry about the oversight of an employee on the premises.
teso life opening soon in San Antonio
Additionally, trinkets have turned into status symbols for many. They have become a path to proximate luxury for those who cannot afford designer goods but wish to. There are small businesses that allow trinket enjoyers to dress their characters in miniature clothes styled after Louis Vuitton, Coco Chanel, and Miu Miu. These doll clothes are not officially from the fashion houses, but the proximity to luxury appeals to the aspiration of higher status. Lastly, it remains unclear how long this popularity will last with fast fashion pushing consumers into the era of micro-trends, where the desire to conform to the latest fad undermines the timelessness of individuality.
Nevertheless, the trinket markets that have been growing in San Antonio provide great opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses with physical locations to promote themselves by turning their venues into event spaces. Organizers of these events have accepted a variety of vendor types, so attendees encounter more than just trinkets. For example, markets hosted by @jkcollectingthings on Instagram include vendors specializing in jewelry, crochet, and even tarot readings. Artists have the opportunity to grow their audiences or even discover a budding one, if they have not already. Broadly speaking, people have found more ways to either make an income or supplement it, beyond the usual nine-to-five.
Returning to the biggest and most famous trinket seller, Pop Mart, this company has also allowed artists to collaborate with a global brand and manufacturer to sell their designs to the world. Pop Mart frequently collaborates with artists for new designs, which is how their most popular trinket character, the Labubu, launched into global recognition.
Trinkets and the culture behind them are not inherently negative. Even as an outside observer, one can see that the people in this hobby are welcoming and friendly. However, entering this hobby blindly can cost more than just financially if one is not careful. Like many facets of life, there will always be risks. This hobby can be fun, offering opportunities to learn, meet new people, and acquire something super cute to add to one’s fashion. But it always helps to know oneself. Be mindful, and you will find yourself enjoying more than just the trinkets.
