bags with purpose

How useful are fanny packs?

They seem very useful. They strap on to your body at a very convenient location that frees your arms and legs, they can be worn on the front, back, or side depending on your particular fancy, and they can hold quite a lot depending on what model you get. Everyone loves pockets, and pockets with zippers: even better!

I passed a woman today that had a fanny pack on front and a backpack on back! She wore a nice combination of a floral shirt, puffy jacket, sweatpants (in a rich rose color) and a knit scarf wrapped stylishly around her neck and tucked into the top of her floral shirt. Her shoes were a delightful vintage high-top, very stylishly un-laced, and she was definitely rocking her over-size glasses. I felt she had the right idea, set for anything, and properly balanced with her obviously heavy bags.

It made me think: Why don't more of us use this handy and inventive pack? Is it the word 'fanny' that keeps us from utilizing such a multi-purpose and comfortable style item? Is it the oddly placed bulge that gets immediately associated with a sort of social awkwardness? I have to admit, I myself do not often connect fanny pack in my mind with 'cool' 'suave' or 'chic.'

And so I did a search.

I came across this taxidermy with a twist by Carlee Fernandez, this runway model with her special pack, this stylish bon vivant with her fanny pack-meets-belt combo, and even a funny comic referring to these much beloved packs. Who wouldn't love one of these for their birthday? (And yes, I would like to see what you have in there!)

As one writer put it: "All I’m saying is take note because you can never stick a pin in cool, but at this moment cool is sitting right on top of uncool’s head, they’re both wearing fanny packs, one neon green, and one is velvet."

I used to have a fanny pack. It was purple, had neon green zippers and a large black plastic buckle. It was made of high quality acrylic, had a great assortment of pockets, and you know, I never really used it to its full potential. I wish I had it packed away somewhere. I might try and rock it. The 80's are totally back, right?