There really is no excuse to wear a fanny pack in this day and age, even if it does try to dress itself up with another name. The Vintage Reign The Traveler Leather Belt Bag attempts to be chic with a panel of metallic leather accenting the pocket flap and zipper trim. Nothing, though, can salvage this silhouette – not a big name designer, a special fabric, or a different moniker. Like I said, no excuse. Available for $160 at Nordstrom.

posted: June 22nd, 2012
category: Other designer Handbags
comments: 1 Comment

Only famed designer Diane von Furstenberg could take a fanny pack and make it look chic. The Elaine New Belt Bag (it even has a revamped name) is a classy little bag that you won’t mind wearing around your waist. It can’t be compared to those vinyl or cloth zippered fanny pack pouches; in fact, you don’t even have to wear this around your waist if you don’t want to. The thick, versatile belt doubles as a shoulder strap and is even detachable. They style is simple and the tassel adds a little charm. If you love your bags around your waist, hop over to shopbop.com and order this one for $345.

posted: November 30th, 2011
category: Other designer Handbags
comments: No Comments

Since I heard waist bags were making a comeback, I’ve been on a never-ending quest to find cute ones. These are not your momma’s old-school nylon waist bags. The Vintage Vibes Blasting Bag has a specifically biker chic vibe about it, and if I owned a pair of skinny leather pants, I might be tempted to try this little bag out to boost my street cred. I do wonder, though, whether the leg strap would be irritating? Available at the JungleTribe Etsy shop for $349.

posted: November 21st, 2011
category: Other designer Handbags
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Like it or not, 80s-inspired fashion is still ruling magazine layouts and the streets. So is it any surprise the dreaded waist bag is making a loud return? It’s not just in high-fashion spreads, either. I’ve seen more than one young lass on the streets of London with a bum bag around her waist. If you like bright neon colors and want to go full-force into this trend, check out the Lovelylons Heart-Shaped Hip Bag. It’s a gigantic pink denim heart that sits at your waist via an adjustable strap, but which also has removable straps to convert it into a clutch for the inevitable time when the waist bag goes back into the fashion vault. Very clever! Available at Etsy for $50.

posted: April 26th, 2011
category: Other designer Handbags
comments: No Comments

I usually run in the opposite direction when I see a waist bag (aka “fanny pack”), but I think I would try to rock the Joyrich Cat Studded Waist Pack. If you pair it with a casual tee and jeans, the bag could be your statement piece. And it could be the best bag to wear to a concert: it’s so flashy it may even catch the singer’s eye and score you some backstage passes. Wrap one on for $110 at Revolve.

posted: March 30th, 2011
category: Other designer Handbags
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A little luxury goes a long way – just ask Elliott Lucca, whose petite Woven Leather Hip Pouch is totally glamorous. Its petite size is actually what makes the pouch so charming in the first place. Throw in an array of fun-loving colors, like coral, sunshine and sky blue, and you have a great companion for warm spring and summer days. Find it for just $88 at Nordstrom.

posted: March 8th, 2011
category: Other designer Handbags
comments: No Comments

Holy cow, it’s a cute fanny pack (bum bag for you laughing Europeans)! Never in a million years did I think I would ever find a waist purse I could wear without feeling like the biggest goober in the world, but here it is! The Kinies Ruffled Waist Purse is like the 007 of purses. To the casual observer, it almost looks like an oversize ruffle belt. In reality, it’s the coolest waist purse I’ve ever seen, with three pockets for your electronics and a large pocket for all your other knickknacks.

Wear it to the back, to the front, or to the side. Or, for a completely different look, you can wear it over your shoulder! This is a truly versatile bag. Available from Etsy seller Kinies for $34-38, depending on color.

posted: January 11th, 2011
category: Other designer Handbags
comments: No Comments

Waist Bags that Aren’t a Waste!

If you’ve embarked on a good solid walking program so that you just might keep your New Year’s resolution to get fit, you may have looked for some kind of a handy little bag to carry your water bottle, cell phone and a few other essentials. Most fanny packs and waist bags are usually plain, black and boring. Not any more! I found a few stylish little bags that you just might want to use for hands-free shopping as well as your walking routine. All of these waist bags are available through Amazon.com.

The High Sierra Ridgeline Lumbar Pack is perfect for anyone who is serious about their fitness plan, enjoys hiking or is training for a marathon. The dual GE Lexan shatter-resistant water bottles will keep you hydrated and all in all these packs are easy to carry, hold a lot without sacrificing space and come in three fun colors: blue, gray and orange. They are currently on sale, depending on the color, from $27.74 to $44.99.

Are you on the plus-size side, or do you just have trouble finding a waist pack that will fit you?  With an over 60-inch waist span, the Outdoor Products Roadrunner Waist Pack in Pink is sheer comfort!  This simple bag has a nice side pouch that will hold your cell phone, and if you love pink, this is the fanny pack for you.  At $18.49 it’s a great little no frills bag that got rave reviews.

If you still really like the good old fashioned fanny packs, at least get yourself a quality bag. This Large Leather Fanny Pack Waist Bag has a cell phone holder and credit card organizer. Perfect for shopping, hiking trips or a day at a family theme park, this sturdy bag comes in black or brown leather and is on sale for just $25.

The Renee Mini Double Waist Pack by Guess is as attractive as it is functional. The double zippered pouches can hold all your essentials while the hanging Guess logo charm shows you’ve got style. It’s available in brown for $50 or in coal on sale for $36.99.

Is this JanSport Fifth Ave Waistpack too cute or what? Far from the plain old fanny packs, this JanSport is available in three plaid styles: Black/White Saddles, New Storm Grey Duke Plaid and Calypso Blue Duke Plaid. Prices range from $11.95 to $14.80.

posted: January 10th, 2011
category: Other designer Handbags
comments: No Comments

Shopping around, looking for hot new handbags, I stumbled onto this Guess Fancy Mini Waistpack. I scratched my head, rubbed my eyes and even refreshed the page. Nope, it was still there: a FANNY PACK. Okay, I know, waist bags have been cropping up a bit lately, and while they’re not my cup of tea, some of ‘em ain’t bad. This one, though, with its poofy profile and giant leather bow, isn’t going to do anyone any favors. If you really want to be hands-free when you shop, go for a crossbody, ladies. Just say no to the fanny pack. Available for $55 at Guess.

posted: October 28th, 2010
category: Other designer Handbags
comments: 1 Comment

Like any good tourist, Rihanna hit up London wearing a love-it-or-hate-it fanny pack, though, if it’s any consolation, hers was a monogrammed Louis Vuitton version in oatmeal-hued leather. The tassled bag made a dramatic statement against Rihanna’s gray sweater dress, but that’s her style – it’s all about pushing the envelope. So what say you? Do you love it, or hate it?

Photo from People.com.

posted: November 18th, 2009
category: Celebrity Purses, Celebrity Style, Louis Vuitton Bags
comments: 5 Comments