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Monday, January 27, 2014

Fanny Packs for Knick Knacks





I heard a radio station deejay say the other day, while I was out and about completing errands, that he was going to bring fanny packs back this summer by pairing them with denim shorts and a tee. I wonder if anyone broke the news to him that he is late to the game because they are already back. Fanny packs were noticed in the 1980s but really took off as a trend in the 1990s. They have briefly returned since that time but now it seems they are being propelled again into prominence. They did not really go to fashion purgatory like so many trends do when they are out of the spotlight. They just returned to being solely the sporty accessory that they were initially designed to be rather than a fashionable accessory that a stylish woman or man would aspire to wear even when not engaging in sporting activities. Note: Tory Burch Pre-Spring 2014 Ready to Wear photos courtesy of Style.com



Before I heard the deejay’s comment, thoughts of fanny packs were already floating around in my mind. This is perhaps the result of all of the runway images I have seen recently of these notorious pouches. Designers like Tory Burch and Karl Lagerfeld, with help from celebrities like Rihanna, Selma Blair and Kanye West, are responsible for bringing back these hip slingers. They have been widely seen since last year in runway collections, lookbooks and slung on the hips of the famous crowd. The way they are currently being re-packaged is splendid. Modern fanny packs are in so many attractive prints and shades that they are a tad appealing. Follow along with me, please, as I explain how I have categorized fanny packs.
Photos Courtesy of Why Did You Wear That

One version is what I have dubbed the camouflage fanny packs. They show up on runways in the same shade or color palettes which exist in the outfit worn by the model. Camouflage fanny packs obviously still shoot straight from the hip but in a subtle manner. Of course, the problem is that it is doubtful if people will purchase a large quantity of fanny packs just so they can coordinate them with outfits in the same shade or color palettes. Talk about unrealistic. This version is most likely to be worn by women. I truly can not picture men color-coordinating a fanny pack with their outfit. For any gentleman reading this, please, please I beg you to correct me if I am wrong.

Another version of the fanny pack just begs to be looked at even though it is already fairly easy to spot one on the wearer. They are in a variety of prints and patterns that don’t even try to cower into the background. These are what I call the statement-making fanny packs. They are bold and sassy. They are the type of accessory that can overpower an outfit if worn with the wrong pieces or which can cause a separates clash when worn with bold-colored separates that already take center stage. It takes a confident woman or man to embrace this version of the fanny pack.

The third version is the neutrals. Not as flamboyant as the first two types they, nevertheless, serve the same purpose; a safe place to store valuable knick knacks. I think of neutral-colored fanny packs as those which are most likely to be worn by individuals who appreciate the purpose of the hip pouch yet still may be a fraction embarrassed about wearing a fanny pack. Neutral fanny packs sometimes come in the form of a belt pouch. I hate to break it to you belt pouch wearers but whether you wear it directly strapped around your hip or attached to a belt a fanny pack is a fanny pack. It won't magically disappear from view just because it is attached to a belt.
Fanny packs from Nicole Lee may be in contention to be worn on my hips soon. They beckon to me even now. I am thinking about taking the plunge and purchasing one. I don’t suppose I can wear a fanny pack with my bags though and I am so attached to my handbags. I don’t have to take my bags everywhere though. Let’s face it, taking a bag some places can literally be a drag. The reason I like these so much is that they have personality. Take a look at two of my favorites below. You'll see what I mean. Can I get away with wearing a fanny pack if it has personality? You be the judge. Note: Nicole Lee fanny packs are available on Nicole Lee's website.

"Bicycle" Fanny Pack
"Dolly" Fanny Pack

Fanny packs are being forced back into popularity but they are still considered to have a nerdy reputation. I am not sure that will change despite being pushed into the fashion mainstream by designers and retailers.

You have probably deduced by now that I am not averse to fanny packs if they are stylish, of course. What do you think of fanny packs? Are they a fashion do or a fashion don’t?

Related Stories:

Huffington Post, Designers, Stop Trying to Make the Fanny Pack Happen

Yahoo! Shine, Designers Force Fanny Packs Upon Us, yet Again

New York Post, It's a Fanny Pack Frenzy!



Looking for a personal stylist or know someone who is? My personal stylist lookbook can be viewed at Keaton Row. As a reminder, Keaton Row styling services are free. Please check out my latest lookbook, Indulge in Camouflage.
Edith A. Miller Camo Pants; Keaton Row lookbook

23 comments:

  1. wow.. not that's "ole skool"… fanny packs.. they look great though, interesting!

    DinaBella
    http://dina-bella.blogspot.com/2014/01/dinas-fav-2014-grammy-awards.html

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like quirky things. So I think it's a yes. It just depends on the style. Great post! Good for debate. *haha*

    Hazel
    www.theskimplelife.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. great post ! thank you !
    kisses
    Ann'so M
    http://annsom.blogspot.fr/

    ReplyDelete
  4. I did not know this brand, but this catwalk photos are awesome. I'm your new follower, I hope you come back to visit my blog and support me!
    bye!

    Lo stile di Artemide

    ReplyDelete
  5. They look very stylish on the runway. I'm not sure if I'd join the trend. Hmmm.*thinks*

    Olive Needs Popeye

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  6. Really nice post! :)

    http://fashionimperfect.blogspot.it/

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  7. Nice post!!!!
    Marina
    http://www.maridress.blogspot.it/
    https://www.facebook.com/maridressfashionblog
    http://www.bloglovin.com/maridress
    https://twitter.com/maridressblog

    ReplyDelete
  8. hi pretty, second look !!
    thanks about your visit
    kisses

    www.thechicmode.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. those tory burch ones look awesome!
    x
    http://anoddgirl.blogspot.com.au

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  10. Great post!! :)

    Ro
    http://twentyeightvia.blogspot.com

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  11. This fanny pack trend is one I'm not so sure about..lol
    effortlesslady.blogspot.ca

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  12. id love a tory burch fanny pack. A chic floral one.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love this post! I never thought I would see fanny packs being back in fashion, but I really do love them! x

    thegraceissue.wordpress.com

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  14. i remember back in the day when I used to have a bright neon pink fanny pack.... what a nightmare! haha but these, these I may give a chance!

    www.typicaltarene.blogspot.com

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  15. Great post Sharon! Fanny packs are definitely a touchy fashion topic that I find that people are scared to try, but I love the information and I think I am going to test out the fanny packs again :)

    www.oliviairene.blogspot.com

    xoxo
    O

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  16. I usually am anti-fanny packs, but these are stylish. So, I'm a for in this case, especially the last 2.
    www.ubetterwork.blogspot.com

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  17. I dreaded fanny packs before especially those from famous sports clothing brands because the look is so like those vendors in the market (here in our country) so when you wear on on the street some will definitely tease you if you are selling something but nowadays, thanks to music festival popularity like Coachella, fanny packs now comes with stylish designs like those you posted so it's not embarrassing to carry one anymore :)

    Nice post!

    WWW.STYLEVANITY.COM

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  18. Sharon, this is a fabulos post! Checking your blog make me feel like I know nothing about fashion! :D
    Very inspirational! I live in a turistic area and fanny packs are all over!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great post! I usually don't like fanny packs, I still remember the horrid ones I had when I was a kid, lol, but these ones are really not so bad! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for visiting my blog, Kristine. I thought the exact same thing until I saw the modern fanny packs. They are so much more stylish than they used to be.

      Sharon

      Delete
  20. Wow...stylish and fanny pack...never thought those words would go together, but these are actually pretty cool!
    Debbie
    www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Debbie:

      Thanks for visiting my blog. I didn't think so either. The modern fanny packs are so much more hip than the fanny packs I was exposed to in the 1980s and 1990s. The designers finally got it right this time.

      Sharon

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