Big Fan of the Fanny Pack

Rebecca Elliott is a junior multimedia journalism major. Her fashion column focuses on the various styles and trends at PLNU.

Facts of life: Nothing beats a good hug, it’s nice to have the things you love close by and hands-free is always better (Alexa, play No Hands by Waka Flocka Flame). Luckily, you can have all these things. Just buy a fanny pack.

Wearing a fanny pack is like a permanent hug, enveloping wearers and securing the embrace with a reliable clip. They carry all your beloved belongings like your chapstick, your ID card, a few fossilized gum wrappers and your iPhone (or Samsung—we don’t discriminate here). And of course, fanny packs are hands-free, leaving your phalanges available for notetaking, eating or capturing sunset photos. Obviously, fanny packs could change your life. 

Don’t just take my word for it. PLNU students, like Autumn Maguregui, a sophomore international development major, are experiencing the game-changer that is fanny packs. 

“I’ve never been a purse person, and then I used to carry around a backpack, but then it was too much. So, one day this was on sale,” Maguregui said. “I ended up wearing it like every day.”

Functionality is key, but fashion is, of course, vital for SoCal survival. Thankfully, fanny packs are no stranger to versatility, and can be styled in several ways. Maguregui displays her beloved accessory across the chest or around the waist, keeping it close by in case of any fashion emergencies.

“They’re cute. It’s stylish. It adds to the look,” she said. “I really love the service this provides.”

Popular fanny pack brands include Patagonia, Adidas and Herschel. They can also be found in a multitude of shapes, colors and sizes on Amazon or in local thrift stores. 

So, forget your canvas bag, your Fjällräven Kånken backpack (does anyone even know what that translates to?) and your leather purses, because fanny packs are here to save the day. Call your parents and let them know their old friend the fanny pack is back in town. Maybe you can even score a fanny pack family heirloom. 

So, how are we feeling about fanny packs? Personally, big fan.