Why I still love my fanny pack

Fanny pack, bum bag, hip bag, belt bag… call it what you will, but I’m still of a fan of this very utilitarian tote.

It famously (infamously?) returned to style pages when Carrie Bradshaw wore the Gucci Moneybelt. However, it occurred to me the other day that my absolute favorite use for it is as a pouch in my larger bag, always on standby for when I need it. I’m not urban-cool enough to sport it all the time.

Sure, I’ve used it at concerts (“festival bag” is another rebranding the pack has seen recently), and I love putting it around my hips for bike dates before (usually) switching it to clutch or crossbody once we get to our destination. But usually I need to also carry around crayons and snacks in addition to a full size wallet and phone. So the fanny pack goes inside the bag as well, with a lip gloss and some hair ties, waiting for its moment in the sun—which actually happens quite frequently…

For example, the other day we went to a museum which didn’t allow backpacks. Perfect solution for bringing the valuables! At theme parks, we’ve leave jackets and a bag with snacks, etc. in the stroller, and I’ve usually had Aron put the phones in his pocket (which I usually ask for back almost immediately as he never thinks to take pictures). This is much better! A few weekends ago, we brought the kids to Art Beast, a hands-on kids’ studio in Sacramento, and you can leave your heavy bags in cubbies by the front desk as you follow the kids around. I was so glad to be able to get out my phone and money from my larger bag, and still have my hands free for glue and clay and whatnot.

Finally, if you already keep a zipper pouch in your purse when you travel (like this), this is an alternative that you can use as a purse at your destination.

I think the key—if you plan to use it this way—is to find a leather that won’t show a lot of scratches from tumbling around in your larger bag, and something that looks good as a belt bag as well as worn cross-body or hanging from your shoulder. Some even come with a wrist strap. Usually, that means a consistent width strap (not one that widens where it attaches to the bag), with the width being on the slim side. I have both the Lo & Sons Waverly bag in black (pictured at top) and this Fio Convertible Bag in light tan (sold out/similar/also similar), but here are some Etsy options that look really, great, too…