Fanny pack

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A woman wearing a fanny pack stands with arms akimbo Red Fanny Pack.jpg
A woman wearing a fanny pack stands with arms akimbo

A waist bag, fanny pack, belt bag, moon bag, belly bag (American English), or bumbag (British English) is a small fabric pouch worn like a belt around the waist by use of a strap above the hips that is secured usually with some sort of buckle. The straps sometimes have tri-glide slides, making them adjustable in order to fit properly. It can be considered as a purse worn around the waist.

Contents

Although traditionally the bag was worn with the pouch at the front, the separate American and British names derive from the fact that they are often worn with the pouch above the buttocks, for which "fanny" and "bum" are respective slang terms in each country.

Early usage

Historically, the bag was positioned in front of the body, so people could protect themselves from bandits. Bags attached to belts have been in use since antiquity in many cultures. One origin was the Native American buffalo pouch which was used instead of sewing pockets into clothing. Buffalo pouches may also be worn on the wrist or carried on the front of the chest via a neck strap or lanyard. [1] Ötzi had a belt pouch 5,000 years ago. The European medieval belt-pouch is another antecedent which was superseded as clothing came to have pockets. The Scottish sporran is a similar belted pouch that survived because of the impracticality of pockets in a kilt.

1950s and later

In 1954, a skiers leather fanny pack appeared in a Sports Illustrated Christmas shopping guide: [2] [3]

"$10. The lightweight leather 'fanny pack' is designed to hold a cross-country skier's wax and lunch. It's also useful for cyclists, hikers, equestrians." [4]

In 1962, reportedly, [5] [6] [7] Melba Stone, an Australian widow, inspired by a kangaroo, is sometimes credited with making a fanny pack.

"In 1988, Adweek named the fanny pack the product of the year."— i-D [8]

The modern version made from nylon and other synthetic materials came into use in the 1980s and they were especially in vogue in the 1990s, but gradually their popularity fell into decline by the mid-2000s. [9] Their use was satirised by the American humorist Weird Al Yankovic in his song "White & Nerdy".

Mobile devices (and USB charging cables and backup batteries), bottles of water, snacks, tissue paper, first aid, isopropyl alcohol, contact lenses, and pepper spray are among some of the most common items stored in the bag. Fanny packs designed for concealed carry of a weapon are available. [10]

In other cultures, they are known as banana bags (in France) and kidney bags (in Spain), while in Italy it is called the marsupio, from the marsupium. In Costa Rica, this kind of bag is called a Skippy or canguru, from the TV series Skippy the Kangaroo. Variations include the wristpack, which is essentially a fanny pack for the wrist.

Unlike handbags, they do not have to be carried, and unlike backpacks, they do not put undue strain on the back. Often referred to as "waist bags", they tend to be worn "cross body" rather than around the waist.[ citation needed ] Fashion houses such as Chanel and Gucci are at the forefront of the trend. The practicality of fanny packs is particularly popular in "festival fashion", where outfits tend to be more extravagant.

Couture fashion

In 2012, calling them "belted satchels" or "hands-free bags", several designer labels sought to bring the accessory back by offering stylish and expensive designs selling for as much as $1,995. [11] [12]

In July 2018, The Boston Globe reported that fanny packs are back in vogue with new packs introduced by fashion designers Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton. The designer packs retail for up to $1,500 and are being worn by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, Jaden Smith, and Russell Westbrook. This time around, the packs can be worn around the waist or worn cross-body. Vogue magazine reported on the trend by writing "Alas, due to our odd fascination with ugly throwback clothing, the fanny pack has been vindicated." [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kilt</span> Skirt-like garment worn with Scottish Highland dress and sometimes more broadly

A kilt is a garment resembling a wrap-around knee-length skirt, made of twill-woven worsted wool with heavy pleats at the sides and back and traditionally a tartan pattern. Originating in the Scottish Highland dress for men, it is first recorded in the 16th century as the great kilt, a full-length garment whose upper half could be worn as a cloak. The small kilt or modern kilt emerged in the 18th century, and is essentially the bottom half of the great kilt. Since the 19th century, it has become associated with the wider culture of Scotland, and more broadly with Gaelic or Celtic heritage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belt (clothing)</span> Worn band or braid, usually around the waist or hips

A belt is a flexible band or strap, typically made of leather, plastic, or heavy cloth, worn around the natural waist or near it. The ends of a belt are free; and a buckle forms the belt into a loop by securing one end to another part of the belt, at or near the other end. Often, the resulting loop is smaller than the hips. Belts come in many lengths because of the variety in waist sizes, and most belts can be adjusted at the buckle to suit the wearer's waist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Backpack</span> Bag carried on ones back

A backpack—also called knapsack, rucksack, pack, booksack, bookbag, haversack or backsack—is, in its simplest frameless form, a fabric sack carried on one's back and secured with two straps that go over the shoulders; but it can have an external or internal frame, and there are bodypacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bandolier</span> Pocketed belt worn to hold either individual bullets, or belts of ammunition

A bandolier or a bandoleer is a pocketed belt for holding either individual cartridges or belts of ammunition. It is usually slung sash-style over the shoulder and chest, with the ammunition pockets across the midriff and chest. Though functionally similar, they are distinct from chest rigs, which are designed to hold magazines instead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pocket</span> Small compartment in clothing

A pocket is a bag- or envelope-like receptacle either fastened to or inserted in an article of clothing to hold small items. Pockets are also attached to luggage, backpacks, and similar items. In older usage, a pocket was a separate small bag or pouch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wallet</span> Small, flat case or pouch that is used to carry personal items such as cash

A wallet is a flat case or pouch, often used to carry small personal items such as physical currency, debit cards, and credit cards; identification documents such as driving licence, identification card, club card; photographs, transit pass, business cards and other paper or laminated cards. Wallets are generally made of fabric or leather, and they are usually pocket-sized and foldable.

A jockstrap, also a jock (male), jill (female), strap, cup, groin guard, pelvic protector (female), supporter, or athletic supporter, is an undergarment for protecting the scrotum and penis or vulva during contact sports or other vigorous physical activity. This article deals chiefly with the genital protective sports gear designed for the male body, colloquially known as a "jock".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sporran</span> Belt pouch traditionally worn with mens Scottish Highland dress

The sporran, a traditional part of male Scottish Highland dress, is a pouch that functions as a pocket for the kilt. Made of leather or fur, the ornamentation of the sporran is chosen to complement the formality of dress worn with it. The sporran is worn on a leather strap or chain, conventionally positioned in front of the groin of the wearer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Handbag</span> Handled bag used to carry personal items

A handbag, commonly known as a purse in North American English, is a handled medium-to-large bag used to carry personal items. It has also been called a pocketbook in parts of the U.S.

Pouch may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Handgun holster</span> Device for the secure placement of a handgun on ones person

A handgun holster is a device used to hold or restrict the undesired movement of a handgun, most commonly in a location where it can be easily withdrawn for immediate use. Holsters are often attached to a belt or waistband, but they may be attached to other locations of the body. Holsters vary in the degree to which they secure or protect the firearm. Some holsters for law enforcement officers have a strap over the top of the holster to make the handgun less likely to fall out of the holster or harder for another person to grab the gun. Some holsters have a flap over the top to protect the gun from the elements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Highland dress</span> Traditional dress of Scotlands highlands and isles

Highland dress is the traditional, regional dress of the Highlands and Isles of Scotland. It is often characterised by tartan. Specific designs of shirt, jacket, bodice and headwear may also be worn along with clan badges and other devices indicating family and heritage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Messenger bag</span> Bag with a long strap worn across the body

A messenger bag is a type of sack, usually made of cloth. It is worn over one shoulder with a strap that goes across the chest resting the bag on the lower back. While messenger bags are sometimes used by couriers, they are now also an urban fashion icon. Some types of messenger bags are called carryalls. A smaller version is often called a sling bag.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kilt accessories</span>

The modern, tailored kilt which is ubiquitous at Highland games gatherings around the world has associated with it an evolving style of wear. This style includes the accessories and other accoutrements which are typically worn with it. In this sense, it is very much like other items of the fashion world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Satchel</span> Bag

A satchel is a bag with a strap, traditionally used for carrying books. The strap is often worn so that it diagonally crosses the body, with the bag hanging on the opposite hip, rather than hanging directly down from the shoulder. The back of a satchel extends to form a flap that folds over to cover the top and fastens in the front. Unlike a briefcase, a satchel is soft-sided.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Service Dress (British Army)</span> Uniform of the British Army

Service Dress is the style of khaki service dress uniform introduced by the British Army for use in the field from the early 1900s, following the experiences of a number of imperial wars and conflicts, including the Second Boer War. This variant of uniform continues to be worn today, although only in a formal role, as No. 2 Pattern dress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M-1956 Load-Carrying Equipment</span> Equipment

The M-1956 Load-Carrying Equipment (LCE), also known as the Individual Load-Carrying Equipment (ILCE), was developed by the U.S. Army and first issued in the early 1960s. The M-1956 LCE was designed to replace the M-1945 Combat Pack, the M-1923 cartridge belt, the M-1936 pistol belt and the M-1937 BAR magazine belt. The M-1956 LCE was designed to be quickly configured, using no tools, to accommodate various mission and ammunition loads. The M-1956 LCE remained in service through the 1980s and set the standard for future United States military load-carrying equipment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Museum of Bags and Purses</span> Fashion Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Museum of Bags and Purses, was a museum devoted to the history of bags, purses, and their related accessories. Located in Amsterdam's historic central canal belt, the museum's collection included over 5,000 items dating back to the sixteenth-century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1937 Pattern Web Equipment</span>

1937 Pattern Web Equipment was an item of military load-carrying equipment. It replaced the 1908 Pattern and 1925 Pattern—on which it was based—and was standard issue for British and Commonwealth troops from its introduction in 1937, throughout World War II, and in the post-war period until it was superseded by 1958 Pattern Web Equipment. It remained in limited use with Territorial Army and other second-line troops until the mid to late 1970s. Official use of the webbing in Community Cadet Forces and the Combined Cadet Force persisted into the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bag</span> Flexible container

A bag is a common tool in the form of a non-rigid container, typically made of cloth, leather, paper or plastic. The use of bags predates recorded history, with the earliest bags being lengths of animal skin, cotton, or woven plant fibers, folded up at the edges and secured in that shape with strings of the same material. Bags can be used to carry items such as personal belongings, groceries, and other objects. They comes in various shapes and sizes, often equipped with handles or straps for easier carrying.

References

  1. Wandahsega, Larissa. "Buffalo Pouch". PotawatomiLanguage.org. Archived from the original on 2015-03-30. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
  2. Muzquiz, Albert (6 August 2018). "History of the Fanny Pack / Cross-Body Bag". Heddels. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  3. "The Cultural History of the Fanny Pack". MEL Magazine. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  4. "CHRISTMAS BY MAIL ORDER". Sports Illustrated Vault. SportsIllustrated.com. November 22, 1954. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  5. Lowe, Jaime (4 September 2015). "Letter of Recommendation: Fanny Packs". The New York Times . Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  6. Uthman, Daniel. "Quarterbacks get hip to fanny packs". USA TODAY . No. July 15, 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  7. "From fashion joke to street-style hit: the return of the bumbag". the Guardian . 16 May 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  8. Newell-Hanson, Alice (6 September 2017). "fanny packs are back, whether you like it or not". i-D. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  9. Muzquiz, A. (2018, August 6). History of the fanny pack/cross-body bag. Heddels. https://www.heddels.com/2018/08/history-fanny-pack-cross-body-bag/
  10. Chris Ewens (1 April 2010). "Pack Mentality: Rethinking the Fanny Pack". usconcealedcarry.com. US Concealed Carry Association. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  11. Glen Levy (11 February 2011). "Fashion Fail: Are Fanny Packs Really Making a Comeback?". Time. Time Inc. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  12. Rachel Dodes (10 February 2011). "With Fanny Packs on the Runway, Can Mom Jeans Be Far Behind?". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, Inc. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  13. Teitell, Beth (2018-07-24). "Fanny packs: They're in vogue. We're not lying". The Boston Globe . Retrieved 2018-07-25.