The Fanny Pack History
The fanny pack is an accessory that seems to be valued more for its functionality than its fashion relevance. It is usually a zippered pouch that is attached to an adjustable strap that is fastened around the waist like a belt. This purse for the waist is usually worn with the pouch on the front of the body, but many have personalized its placement by wearing it backwards, or even on the hip. Does this Spark an idea?
-
Made in the 80's
-
In the 1980s, the fanny pack received its name and entered popular culture. In fact, Adweek Magazine predicted it to be the hottest product of 1988. It is hard to pinpoint the first person to manufacture a fanny pack, because it wasn't a specific brand name and many different companies had versions of this product marketed under different names.
Inspiration
-
The idea of fanny packs for the general public was probably inspired by makeshift packs that were worn on the waists of skiers and bikers. These athletes needed a place to keep their essentials while keeping their hands free. Military-issued fanny packs are also used as a way for soldiers to keep important supplies with them while on the battlefield.
-
All in the name
-
The elusive fanny pack goes by several different names, such as belt pack, hip sack, hip pack and bum bag. Fanny is slang and refers to the gluteous maximus area of the human body. The fanny pack may have originally been intended to wear on the backside, but most preferred to wear it on the front as a way to protect against thieves and muggers.
Marketing
-
Although the fanny pack was more practical than fashionable, many companies came up with their own specific branding formula. This meant emblazoning the pack with popular cartoon characters, floral patterns and cultural symbols like the American flag.
Abuse of the Fanny Pack
-
Unfortunately, the hands-free convenience of the fanny pack has been abused in the past. A lot of places market fanny packs as a convenient way of concealing a weapon. In 2008, a Denver man was arrested attempting to rob a bank. He told the teller that he had a bomb in his fanny pack and demanded the money.
Fanny Packs Today
-
Fanny packs may not be marketed so aggressively these days, but there are still a core group of fanny pack fans that still don waist sacks proudly. They are especially popular with tourists, garage sale hosts and the elderly, mainly for their convenience. Even Madonna values the usefulness of the fanny pack, as she was spotted wearing one on a trip to Malawi in 2007.
-
