Its revival may have raised eyebrows at first, but the belt bag has quickly become the cool new accessory du jour. The style is nostalgic, surprisingly versatile, not to mention so convenient. It girls and fashion influencers have quickly come up with a slough of creative ways to wear their fanny packs, whether it’s the standard around-the-waist way, across the body, or slung on one shoulder. Nailing how to wear a belt bag gets a bit trickier to figure out in cold weather though, when you have to factor in multiple layers of clothing. Do you fasten the fanny pack outside your coat? Underneath it? Cinched at your middle or crossways around your chest?
While the rules aren’t hard and fast, there are a few tips that can help you get the look you’re going for, without sacrificing style or practicality. For example, you can embrace a cozy-girl vibe in streetwear staples like sweats, a fleece pullover, and a puffer, and clasp your sporty bum-bag diagonally on the outside of your coat. That said, wearing your fanny pack underneath the coat or jacket layer can be more comfortable than trying to fasten it around all that bulk when your outerwear is on the oversized side. For a refined and sophisticated look, stick to sleeker, streamlined silhouettes and a belt bag with a bit more structure. A leather waist pouch looks chic cinched outside a blazer or even a tailored wool topcoat. A belt bag can also help give shape to a slouchy sweater or shift dress.
As you set out to integrate the accessory into your winter wardrobe, take your cues from these belt bag aficionados who know how to work the look for this time of year. And here’s a hot tip for beginners: If you’re wanting to test the waters of this trend but don’t own a fanny pack, get the look with a mini crossbody style instead. It just needs to have a long enough strap so you can wrap around your waist a couple times till it fits.
A trench coat is meant to be worn belted anyway, so just cinch it with a cool nylon fanny pack instead. Complete the look with other of-the-moment favorites, like unfinished-hem denim and lug-sole combat boots.
The trendiest way to style a sporty sling bag right now is around the outside of your puffer coat. It’s an easy-access option that makes the bag the hero of your outfit.
Alternatively, you can fasten an edgy, modern fanny pack at the waist of a bold puffy jacket to batten down a bit of the volume.
Use a leather belt bag in place of a standard belt to draw in the waist of a long, open cardigan.
A minimalist belt bag and tailored blazer makes for a cool mix of classic and modern. Throw a puffer coat on the outside of it all to up the trendy factor. It’ll add warmth for your morning commute and can be easily taken off when you get to the office to reveal your sleeker ensemble underneath.
Make a classic double-breasted car coat feel entirely fresh and modern by selecting one in a luxe jewel tone and girding it with a sleek, asymmetrical multi-pouch waist strap.
Wearing a belt bag around the waist of a knit dress is a no-brainer, but if you’re going to add a coat over it, be sure to choose a bag that is flat and more low-profile so it doesn’t create a bulge beneath your topper.
A chunky leather belt bag helps ground and give shape to a floaty floral dress. If you don’t want to hide the details of your frock, opt to wear your bags crossways under one arm.
A fanny pack can be elegant. A buckle-adorned velveteen belt bag looks sleek and sophisticated at the waist of a perfectly-fitting flocked blazer.
A cropped length eliminates the issues of having to belt your bag around your super-puffy puffer coat. Go for full streetwear vibes on top with a neon jacket and streetwear fanny pack, and then balance it out by going sleek on bottom. High-waisted black skinny jeans and stretchy sock boots will make your legs look a mile long.
Just because it’s called a belt bag, doesn’t mean it has to be worn at the waist. Throw the leather strap over your shoulder like any other bag if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of strapping it around or between any layers.
A belt bag can help assimilate your outerwear as part of your outfit, not just the layer covering it up. Wear a single-breasted topcoat over your look and leave it open, then secure it in place with a coordinating waist bag.
Once the cold weather hits, update your suiting in a more winter-friendly fabric like corduroy, and go for a more relaxed, oversized fit. Use a leather belt bag to define the shape and keep comfortable from approaching unkempt.
Prone to landing in a rut of tried-and-true basics and all neutral hues come winter? A cool fanny pack can lend a little hype to your understated look with minimal effort.
A black belt bag can do wonders for breaking up a monochrome look. Plus, it’s the ideal accessory for cinching a slouchy, oversized sweater without getting lost in the folds.
Nothing is quite so wonderful for winter wear as a white robe coat. It’s like a sneaky way to make it look like you’re entirely elegant, while basically wearing cozy loungewear in public. Fasten a classic black belt bag around the waist for a little added contrast and to drive home the idea that you didn’t just walk out of the house in your robe.
If you love to bundle up in furry outerwear to beat the big chill, go for a belt bag that’s more angular and structured to offset the soft shape and texture of your coat.
