Last month I had a much needed girls weekend in Chicago with a few of my college friends, who are now all moms. We can now report 10 kiddos among us, so a lot has changed since graduation! Over the weekend, one friend mentioned she was on the hunt for a fanny pack (also now referred to as “belt bags”). At first take, I immediately flashed back to trips Disney World where my mom tried to convince me to wear one and prioritize convenience over style. But after thinking twice, I can now totally see the perks as my next mom bag.
Now I’m seeing fannies everywhere – from Renata in Big Little Lies to loads of listings on my favorite retailer sites. I’m officially ready to take one to the playground! Here’s 5 reasons why I’m going to rock a fanny pack, along with links to some of my favorites right now:
- Freshly Picked Ebony Park Pack
- Herschel Supply Fifteen Fanny Pack
- Lululemon Belt Bag
- Fawn Design Fawny Pack
- Freshly Picked Stone Park Pack
- State Crosby Fanny
- Rebecca Minkoff Bree Leather Belt Bag (now out of stock, similar here)
- Herschel Supply Fifteen Fanny Pack
- Woolen Fanny Pack
- Fawn Design Fawny Pack
- Herschel Supply Fanny Pack
- Clare V Fanny Pack
1. It’s the ultimate hands-free playground accessory
If you’re like me, you’ve spent many playground days lugging your diaper bag or purse around to keep your essentials and valuables close. This makes for sore shoulders and an overall weighed down feeling while chasing and playing with my boys.
Enter the fanny pack – it allows me to be hands-free and feel light on my feet, while keeping my essentials at my side. Keys, wallet, phone, snacks, wipes, check! I can then leave the extras like diapers, changes of clothes, and water bottles in my stroller or large diaper bag I feel comfortable setting aside.
2. It’s the pocket for my leggings
One perk of fall/winter in California is a vest or light jacket is all I really need to keep warm, and it provides me with a hands-free pocket for my essentials. However, once the temperature rises and I’m wearing leggings, I no longer have that pocket supplement. I’ve found the fanny to be a great addition for quick strolls or errands when I’m otherwise pocketless.
3. Marie Kondo would approve
In the age of minimalizing and decluttering, the fanny pack is the perfect size – large enough for true necessities, but small enough to limit the items that go unused 80% of the time at the playground or for a quick errand.
Since spills, diaper changes, and emergencies are inevitable (the other 20% of the time), I always keep my extras in the car or stroller. (As a side note, here are some wet/dry bags that are perfect for storing those extras, link here)
4. works great with a baby carrier
While I love diaper backpacks (another post to come on that), when my youngest was still in a baby carrier, I found it to be a little much to have the carrier on my front and diaper bag on my back.
The fanny pack can sit right over the strap and keep my essentials just within reach.
5. fanny packs / belt backs are totally trending right now
If all the other benefits weren’t enough, it’s actually pretty stylish these days to be sporting a fanny pack/belt bag. They’ve made a huge comeback with retro and streetwear inspired modern fashion.
So many options are on the market right now – from sportier nylon to more refined faux leather. Break out your new fanny on your next playdate and you many just get a “I love it, I want it, where did you get it?!”