Whatever you call them, they’re still fanny packs
You don't want to look like this guy. From I'm Going to Burning Man.
Has anyone else noticed how fanny packs are making a comeback? Of course, most labels aren’t calling them “fanny packs” anymore, which is probably a good marketing move. But don’t be fooled by the “belt bags” or “hipsters” or whatevers — they’re still fanny packs.
Now, I’ve seen high-end versions of these waist-wrapping bags at Fred Segal a few years ago, but at the time I thought it was just some aberration by a designer who thought he or she knew what the next big thing was but totally got it wrong. “I would never wear that!” I proclaimed to my shopping companion. Well, now I may be the one in the wrong.
Once only OK for foreign tourists to wear, the fanny pack seems to be experiencing a resurgence, most likely due to the returned popularity of some 80s and early 90s fashions. Now, I’m not a huge fan of this 80s/90s comeback in general, but some of these new fanny packs are kind of cute, I have to admit.
While perusing Target.com, I came across Jaye Hersh’s Hollywood Intuition line, and lo and behold, there’s something called a “belt bag” in it. It comes in a variety of colors, including purple, green, orange and black, and has a flap and two zippers. The belt part detaches so you can use it as a clutch.
Hollywood Intuition's Belt Bag at Target
Then there’s Harveys “hipster” bag. Harveys, which makes bags out of seat belts, seems like an obvious label to be making such a bag, though I’m not sure why I thought that in the first place. The hipster comes in black, champagne, dark brown and red, and comes with a detachable wrist strap (the larger belt strap detaches, too) so you can wear it as a wristlet. If you really want to show off, I suggest the hipster in red so you can not-so-subtly show the world that you’re embracing this nouveau fanny pack.
Harveys Hipster bag
So what do you think — Cute or ugly? Would you, or do you, rock one of these? I’m not sure I’ve actually seen anyone wearing one of these on the street, though, save for the occasional Asian tourist at the Beverly Center.
i’ve been carrying faux fanny packs since i bought one in seoul in 2004 and they are the BEST THING EVER!! stylish way to carry stuff while u work out, at the amusement park, or anytime u want to keeps the hands free. and u can always carry it over the shoulder or as a clutch if u don’t wanna carry it across your waist. mine’s not nearly as fancy as the ones u pictured, but i’ve gotten so many compliments on it over the years!!
I think it’s difficult, though not impossible, to work a hip-bag — I think the trick is to get a bag in a boxy enough shape so it doesn’t look like your body grew an extra lump, and a material that’s stiff enough to retain that structured shape but soft enough for comfort.
And yeah, double functionality as a clutch helps too in occasions where even the most chic of fannies would look ridiculous.
I love fanny packs! As long as they are made of a good material and nice shape. It’s really nice to have both arms free of clutching something or holding something.