1980s and 1990s: The fanny pack enjoyed peak popularity, made from durable nylon and synthetic materials, before experiencing a decline in the late 1990s.. 2000s: With the rapid proliferation of mobile phone availability in the mid-2000's, the fanny pack began to make a comeback but in a more modern form.
The accessory was worn by celebrities and was an integral part of the popular culture of the time. However, in the late 90s and early 2000s, it started to be seen as HYPER cheesy and was therefore inevitably relegated to the back of the closet. The fanny pack is one of the key accessories of the 80s.
In 1962, reportedly, Melba Stone, an Australian widow, inspired by a kangaroo, is sometimes credited with making a fanny pack.
Wear it around your waist for a sporty look. For a more modern edge, sling it across your chest or back. Adjust the strap for the most comfortable fit. What does Gen Z call a fanny pack? You might hear it be called a belt bag, waist pack, bum bag or crossbody bag, depending on how it's worn.
Then, these pouches evolved into medieval belt bags worn by knights and soldiers in Europe. However, thanks to social media, it has been making a notable comeback in recent years. They have now found their way back into the mainstream fashion scene, gracing the runways and streets.
Some people still call them fanny packs. The accessory, which refers to a bag you can wear around your waist, is now also called a belt bag, waist bag, bum bag and hip bag.
The Front Sling
As the name implies, this involves placing the fanny pack at the front of the body, across the chest, giving you quick and easy access to your belongings. It's also great for producing an edgy, streetwear-style look.
While “fanny pack” remains the dominant term in America, alternative names for the same bag exist in different regions and languages. In the United Kingdom, it is commonly referred to as a “bum bag” due to its positioning around the buttocks.
A zoomer is, in the newest use of the word, a member of Generation Z, the generation of people born in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The zoomers follow the millennials (also known as Generation Y), who follow the Gen Xers, who follow the baby boomers.
A popular 90s wardrobe staple, the fanny pack, continues to reign as one of the trendiest accessories of 2025.
In the '80s and early part of the '90s, the fanny pack was at the height of fashion. As the workout craze grew in popularity, so did the necessity for a hands-free and stylish bag to hold your belongings while jogging, biking, or rollerblading.
Crossbody bags are an essential accessory in any women's closet. A classic staple, they're versatile enough to wear with any outfit you own. Plus, they're a convenient, hands-free option when you're running from the office to drinks with friends to the farmer's market on the weekend.
They first gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s as a practical accessory for outdoor activities and travel. However, they quickly fell out of favor and became associated with outdated fashion trends. But now, fanny packs are making a comeback in a big way.
The modern fanny pack, as we would recognize it today, emerged in the twentieth century, gaining popularity in the United States during the 1980s.
If you've been on the internet for quite some time, you're probably familiar with this famous image of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson from 1994. The pro-wrestler-turned-actor is decked out in a black turtleneck, gold chain, belted jeans and a fanny pack in the iconic photo that makes for an excellent Halloween costume.
The fanny pack—also called a waist pack, sling bag, or crossbody bag—provides a great amount of cargo space in a compact design, which holds your essentials like phone, keys, wallet, etc. These styles can be strapped to your body, and are more secure than a tote bag, and less bulky than a backpack.
Skincare experts warn that getting Botox or using anti-aging creams too early can cause unwanted side effects and that vaping and e-cigarettes, which Gen-Zers gravitate toward, can also cause premature aging.
That is why the generations today each span 15 years with Generation Y (Millennials) born from 1980 to 1994; Generation Z from 1995 to 2009 and Generation Alpha from 2010 to 2024. And so it follows that Generation Beta will be born from 2025 to 2039.
: a person born in the late 1990s or the early 2000s : a member of Generation Z. Moreover, if there were any generation that would deserve criticism the least, it's this particular up-and-coming generation. Gen Z, also known as Zoomers, are doing better than previous generations by a number of objective metrics.
Fanny packs are known by many names across the U.S., including the likes of sling bags, waist bags, and belt bags. Many Americans just tend to use the classic fanny pack term.
The Mini Bumbag in Monogram canvas is Louis Vuitton's feminine interpretation of the on-trend bumbag format. Designed for versatility, it features a removable, adjustable strap in the House's emblematic natural leather, as well as a removable gold-tone chain, which can be functional or decorative.
The must-have accessory
In the '80s and early part of the '90s, the bum bag was at the height of fashion.
Are fanny packs out of style? Nope! Fanny packs are cool again and everyone just has to deal with it. The perfect accessory for someone on the go, fanny packs are ideal for walks around the city, summer music festivals, bicycle rides, and a night out.
Very few Brits would understand what it means, but it would get a good laugh. The British equivalent is bum bag. Fanny in British is a slang term for that part of the woman's body, same level as the USA ,but located at the front.
Waist bag. Hip pack. Those are just some of the new names for a fanny pack.