What she wore: Bumbags

Don’t be too quick to call ‘daggy’ on fashion’s new favourite bag.

Bumbag, belt bag, waist pack, saddle bag or my personal favourite – fanny pack. You know what I’m talking about, and likely many of you are already either cringing or furiously shaking your head. But hear me out. While they may not have reached mainstream levels here in New Zealand, they’re big business elsewhere, so it won’t be long.

To back me on this as a valid accessory option, this one started on the runways – Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga, Alexander Wang and Chanel, to name but a few.

Next, they quickly starting popping up on the style set, and have remained on fashionable waists for more than a year and counting.

And now they’re hitting the high street in a big way, and sorry, showing no signs of going away.

The best part for me is that wearing one will leave you joyfully free to use your shoulders, arms and hands for anything you please.

They fit as much as, if not more than, a clutch, but seriously, is there anything more inconvenient to carry than a clutch?

You’ll also never have to worry about leaving it in a bar, on a bus, or having it snatched, as it will be snugly strapped to your body.

So now you’re convinced, if you weren’t already – what should you look for, and how do you wear the modernday belt bag?

Personally, I would avoid any with even vaguely sporty leanings (unless you’re using it for exercise), which will undoubtedly conjure up visions of tourists wearing them with baggy shorts and socks and sandals or transport anyone who was there for the first round to a dark place.

Aside from that, almost anything goes. Shapes can be neat or slouchy, round, rectangular or more triangular.

Quilting is a favourite for adding a hint of tradition and sophistication, glitter or metallic finishes add a bit of razzle dazzle, or look to fashion detailing such as zips and tassel embellishment to up the ante.

Black will keep things chic and subtle, on-trend colours like golden yellow or lipstick red will show you know your stuff, or make like the street style stars and wear it loud and proud as the statement piece of your outfit.

Despite the name “bumbag”, the derriere is no longer the place for the pouch part of the bag to sit. Instead, wear it at the front –it can sit either smartly or rest in a more low-slung manner anywhere around the hips or waist.

Equally popular for the contemporary take is wearing it cross body, with the pouch sitting wherever feels right across your front.

You can also treat it more literally as a belt – through the belt loops or to cinch a jacket – or over your shoulder, handbag style. I’ve even seen them being carried in the crook of the arm or simply as you would a tote.