Too cool for school
You know what I wish was still in style? Fanny packs. Were fanny packs every really in style? Well, I wore one in high school for awhile and it was an awesome way to keep up with my crap without needing a purse. I could really use that today, with an infant in tow. I wonder if they’ll come back in style like peg legged jeans and bangle bracelets. That would rock.
You’re laughing at me, aren’t you?
I’m being serious! I currently use a Kavu bag that slings over my chest, allowing me full use of my arms to wrangle an infant. However, how awesome would it be to carry my wallet and keys and cell phone around in a fanny pack, which would not interfere with my diaper bag. I’m constantly annoyed by the amount of things I have to sling over my shoulder, I would love to relocate one of those bags to my waist. Unfortunately – I face the following dilemmas:
1) Adding any bulge around The Waist near The Belly should be avoided at all postpartem cost.
2) They’re so old looking. And not “old” as in “vintage” but “old” as in “decayed.”
3) I’m neither uncool enough to pull off wearing something that out of style …
4) Nor am I cool enough to wear one ironically.
5) Does anyone even sell them anymore? We bought one that said Circus Circus for LilZ in Vegas one time, but I don’t need to wear a souvenier around my waist.
6) Dude. They’re FANNY PACKS. There is no way MrZ or LilZ would stand for that. Hell, NikkiZ can’t even talk yet and I’m sure me sporting one of those would inspire the earliest recorded utterance of the word “LOSER” in the history of childhood development.
(shamefully raises hand in back corner)
I just bought one from Walmart…. I felt un-cool just looking at it, but then my 3 year old bolted off and my 18 month old bolted in the opposite direction… it went into the basket…..
Fanny Packs – You can still buy these at hiking stores as hikers use them still! I have a closet full of them! Dick Sports, REI, any of those sporting goods stores should have them in the hiking, camping section.
Good luck!
In high school I had one… only I didn’t wear it around my waist. I slung it over my shoulder like a purse or I clipped it to my backpack.
So I can’t really be of any help. It sounds like you are stuck with your Kavu… unless you want to wear sweatshirts in the summer to hide the fanny pack under.
You are in luck!! This is a lady from Tampa – she makes awesome bags, and I see them frequently around – I would have one in a heartbeat if I had an infant, still!! They have a variety of styles – hope you find one you like
UH – Would sure help to put the link in there!!
http://www.laneigepurse.com/index.htm
Oh GOD — I’m ashamed to admit that I even USED to own a fanny pack. I understand the dilemma you face toting around a baby and all your stuff, but please — there’s gotta be a better way!
OMG, I was JUST thinking about a post about fanny packs. Because I saw a prof wearing one to the coffee shop and almost died. Until i realized what a great idea they were.
i seriously, may have to stop reading your site if you talk about fanny packs anymore!! eeep!! you need to just buy some cargo pants…although then you run the risk of looking a little butch, but i am sure you could make it cute! no fanny packs…stop thinking about it!!
Even if it’s a Gucci? http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Brown-Gucci-Waist-Hip-Belt-Fanny-Bag-Purse-Pouch_W0QQitemZ8292152338QQcategoryZ52364QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Dude. Boy-style cargo shorts. I’m dead serious. It’s like, neverending snappy-zippy pockets. I’m in that “not girly enough for a purse, yet kinda dorky looking with a messenger bag” stage, and I L-I-V-E in my cargo shorts. Especially on the weekends.
I just bought a backpack for hiking that the lid of the bag “converts” into a “waist pack,” which is totally just a fanny pack with a new modern name. Apparently, it’s only the name “fanny pack” that has been deemed uncool. I think that the “stylish†way to wear the waist-pack-formerly-known-as-the-fanny-pack is to keep the bag part over your backside not the front. (I can’t believe I just used the word stylish and fanny pack in the same sentence.) For reference, Hulk Hogan wears a fanny pack hovered in front and I always think he is trying to make up for something.
Um, Zoot? I don’t comment often, but I have to agree with MrZ and LilZ on this and say no to the fanny pack. While I do feel for your lack of functional bag options, the fanny pack just seems to scream ‘elderly tourist’. And as you are neither elderly nor a tourist, I definitely suggest you pass on this particular idea. Down with fanny packs!
Hey! I just came across your site and I have to agree that however uncool the fanny pack is ..it certainly could be really helpful when one is toting around children. Actually Gucci makes them so they can’t be to unstylish…right?
I can not stand fanny pack, I see them on some people, it looks like they have an extra stomach.
I’ve seen that Prada makes them, too… But, still….
The key to the fanny pack is to not wear them facing forward (hence the “fanny” part of the name I guess). The side looks best but they tend to twist forward or back, in which case I’d elect for back. I wear one – fashion be damned – when I’m biking and either don’t have any pockets or when I need more stuff than fits in my pockets. I also find they’re invaluable when hiking as my sunglasses, camera, and a pen and notepad fit perfectly and I don’t want to miss a good shot while groping at the backpack on my back.
Hilarious. That was one of my two deal-breakers with boyfriends: white sneakers with jeans or a fanny pack.
I gave up on being cool when I had kids -okay, maybe i never really was cool; I just made my poor 12 year old use one b/c she had my cell phone and I was not going to let her lose it! She used a coleman brand one that we had gotten for girl scout camping… just go for it!
are you suggesting that my fanny pack wearing days are numbered? Or perhaps that I’m uncool. Hmmm. Bad news.
They are kinda tacky, I’m not gonna lie to you. Even the one by Dior. You get a Dior fanny pack and you’re not just tacky, you’re a chump for dropping serious coin on a freaking fanny pack.
BUT! That said, they are totally convenient and I think even the snarkiest folks cut some slack for a mama. Especially a mama with a baby as cute as NikkiZ. With an accessory like her, no one will notice your bag.
I beg of you. Please please don’t wear a fanny pack…
NO fanny pack, please. I do understand the convenience factor – but a backpack is much, much better.
Have you ever seen The Hogan’s on MTV?? Hulk himself wears one! I figure if he can, why can’t we…But then again, he also wears women’s boa’s so I don’t know.
My (82 yr old) Dad has an extra one you can borrow…
Thanks for the LaNeige recommendation! I have rejected the fanny pack, but now with three in tow I just can’t carry one more thing. It’s a safety issue. But the LaNeige ones are good looking enough, and you can switch to wearing it as a shoulder bag if you get caught wearing a fanny pack.
Fashion ain’t nuthin’ at the school carnival