Bumbags: From Tacky Tourist Gear to Trendy Must-Have | DEPECHE.
Most people used to associate the bum bag with unfashionable tourists, overcrowded amusement parks, and camping trips. But that’s no longer the case…
The Bum Bag as a Fashion Phenomenon
Today, we see bum bags everywhere on the streets in all kinds of colors, patterns, shapes, sizes, and materials. In recent years, the bum bag has become a true fashion accessory – and especially an unavoidable part of festival fashion in Denmark. It’s worn by both girls and boys, women and men. So, besides being practical, it has become ultra-trendy and long since shaken off its reputation as a “tacky tourist item.”
Where Does the Bum Bag Come From?
The bum bag is also known as a “fanny pack,” which in American slang means “cheap floozy.” Yet another reflection of its formerly poor reputation.
It’s difficult to say exactly where and when the bum bag originated. Some believe it has roots in the tool belts and pouches used by Native Americans. Others claim it first appeared in the 1980s in New York’s street culture, where graffiti artists used it to keep track of cigarettes, keys, and loose change. Still others argue that the bag was invented for tourists, since it’s practical and perfect for long, hot days of shopping and sightseeing.
The Trend Continues…
The bum bag is the epitome of sporty, practical fashion – much like cycling shorts, leg warmers, and tracksuits. The bag was originally designed to give us a bulge exactly where we need it least, but today most people wear it slung across the shoulder or resting on the hip. It adds a quirky yet stylish touch to your outfit while also being functional and freeing up your hands. A bum bag will quickly become your best buddy and an indispensable item once you’ve owned one. In 2017, we saw bum bags dominate at Danish festivals for the first time, and the trend only seems to be growing…
Will Bum Bags Return to the Waist?
When a piece of clothing suddenly makes a comeback, even though it was once considered outdated and tasteless, it often reflects a desire to signal status. Trends always start somewhere, and time and again we see that what was once deemed uncool eventually becomes high fashion.
In the past, fashion status was signaled by spending a lot of money, but today everyone has access to the same brands and trends, so buying expensive clothes alone isn’t enough. At its core, fashion is about standing out and decoding the ever-shifting style codes. That’s why the biggest names in fashion often revive more or less outdated trends, reinventing them into something fresh and exciting. So who’s to say the bum bag won’t eventually find its way back to the center of the waist – right on the runway catwalk?
