WORDS BY AMELIA BELL
Belt bags, fanny packs, bum bags… Whatever you call them, they have come a long way. No longer the reserve of conspicuous tourists, they are now streetwear’s unisex accessory of choice with a host of fresh styles and new ways to be worn. Here are the designers doing them best...
Gucci
Travel was the key inspiration for Gucci’s Pre-Fall 2018 collection and the belt bag - once synonymous with the tourist uniform of the 80s and 90s - has been revived for the 21st century. Sleek leather for the sophistiqué business traveller; travel badges for their intrepid counterpart.
Prada
As we reach peak belt bag, look out for designs that play with prints and materials in a fresh new way. Prada’s offerings feature this season’s graphic comic prints splattered on sophisticated leather - a nod to the label’s enduring love of blending the classic with the contemporary.
Heron Preston
Yes, it might look like a tool belt, but Heron Preston’s ‘practical’ construction-orange belt bag definitely wasn’t made to be worn on a building site. A street style favourite, wear it shoulder to waist in a cross-body style.
Balenciaga
Balenciaga’s recent trips down memory lane have served to reacquaint us with some unlikely fashion references (see: football scarves and dad sneakers). Gvasalia’s latest triumph? Refreshing Balenciaga’s coveted Explorer belt bag in hi-vis neon yellow.
Versace
In a world where bold logos reigns supreme, Versace’s Medusa head iconography is one of the most recognisable. Rendered in black for an understated look, the brand’s legendary logo and Greek Key embroidery still adds a touch of drama to their sleek Palazzo belt bag.
Shop the look: Gucci Belt Bag, Heron Preston Belt Bag, Prada Belt Bag, Balenciaga Explorer Belt Bag