Written by The Strategy

 Alright, time to talk about the elephant in the room.

Are fanny packs back with a vengeance? Does Matthew McConaughey really have that power?

Possibly.

The infamous hip hugging bags are by no means new, but after soccer moms and tourist dads everywhere made them into one of the biggest no-go’s ever, we thought they had been sworn off for good. Then out of the blue comes a flatter bag that also rests on the hips, looking suspiciously like the fanny pack via some fashionable brands. These “fashionable” fanny packs masquerade under the name of ‘waist bag,’ and ‘belted clutch,’ among others.

Chanel, Hermes, and Bottega Veneta have designed bags of the sort, so maybe they’re getting an upscale makeover. Sleek silhouettes, leather, buttons, and minimal bulk seem to be a good way to go.

That still doesn’t mean we want one though…right?

We know we all eventually turn into our parents in some ways, but this was the most unexpected way. You see, some of the fanny packs available now are much more do-able than we anticipated. They are no longer offensively bulgy, filled with zippers, and triangular. Now fanny packs, or belted clutch as they prefer to be called, are more of a rectangular bag that just so happens to sit around your hips.

The trick (and there is most certainly a trick) to not looking like a confused tourist is A) Going with more of a “bag” than a “pack,” and B) Not over filling your fashionable bag. The slimmer and sleeker the belted clutch, the better.

Over jeans, skirts, even a dress, the fanny pack belted clutch can be a cute accessory. Take a cue from our girl Carrie and use it to dress down an outfit that you want to make seem more effortless. With your hands, arms, and shoulders free there will be a world of possibilities for you to discover.

Verdict: Belted clutches are approved for wear outside of the prepared tourist/parent range.

For now.

Written by Katrina Garofalo