The fanny pack, that unsightly zippered pouch favored by overweight tourists the world over, has been a style punchline for years. By 2002, the humble dad bag even spawned an ironically-named electro pop group, also called FannyPack, who had a minor club hit with their song “Camel Toe.”
So perhaps it’s no surprise that more than a decade after it was the source of ridicule, the fanny pack is making a comeback. We can thank the daring designers of Milan Fashion Week SS17, who waged a valiant effort to upgrade the ’90s-era travel essential into something that might actually pass for stylish.
A number of risk-taking brands, like Versace, Canali, Massimiliano Giornetti, and MSGM, sent models down runways with upgraded, fashion-forward butt bags.
Versace played it straight, showing that a black, party-in-the-front number can actually pair well with a black trenchcoat.
Canali made a strong case for the pack, revealing it could even work in a business setting.
Massimiliano Giornetti took the biggest risk, debuting a geometrical hip bag in an eye-popping blue hue.
MSGM boasted its versatility, slinging a sportier model over the shoulder instead. This one reads more like a smaller, heightened satchel if anything.
We’ve raised an eyebrow at recent hipster iterations, but these packs would make any fanny proud.