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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Notre Dame chapter.

 

I finally did it. I broke down and I did it people, I wore a fanny pack. You’re probably wondering, “How and the hell did you reach the rock bottom of purse wear and are you on your way to recovery?” I have an explanation.

I always switch back and forth between a cross body and clutch much like Lindz Lo’s sexuality. The cross body is great because it’s a hands free bag that you don’t have to worry about losing (if you do, you have major talent). The huge problem with it is that it creates an unseemly line that goes across the body and usually ruins your outfit. Hey ladies, it’s picture time! (Wait 5 extra minutes while everyone takes off their cross body purses) Cross bodies can just be really inconvenient.

The nights I really can’t stand the idea of having a strap between my bubbies I try taking out a clutch. Clutches are great because they don’t ruin your outfit and can be a fabulous way to spruce up your look with a pop of color. The issue I take up with clutches is that they tend to be flipping tiny. Before I go out, I feel I have to make the epic choice between my ChapStick and gum. ChapStick usually volunteers as tribute to be stuffed in my tiny bag. I always reason that someone will share a sacred piece of gum with me while out, although everyone always “doesn’t have any.” Dang you tiny clutch! Should have learned my lesson.

 

These problems are what brought me to contemplate the “belt pack,” as the fashion world calls it. This pack seemed like the perfect solution to my purse problems; no cross line, hands free and a great size. But regardless to what those fashion people call it, it’s still a fanny pack at the end of the day. Every time I’d walk into Urban I would longingly gaze at the packs knowing I’m too chicken to try it. Until one day I came across a beautifully subtle black velvet waist bag that I knew I’d be able to incorporate into my outfits. Now I just had to actually wear it.

The velvet waist bag sat in my closet for about a good month until I was brave enough to wear it. My first time out with it I paired it with a matching black velvet skirt and was really pleased out how nicely it blended in with my overall outfit. It was a perfect size and hands free, functionally just as I’d imagined. I was worried though that people would be whispering how it was the fugliest thing they’d ever seen. Then I decided that I didn’t really care what people thought, I was going to wear that fanny pack and rock it. It turns out the pack is actually a great conversation starter and a lot of people love it, I definitely take my fanny pack out for a spin at least once a week.

Get one that’s right for you, it’s really a game changer.

University of Notre Dame; Class of 2014