BUMMING A LIFT
The once-maligned accessory is having a bit of a moment, so Olivia Petter is serving up the seven best carriers you need
The humble bum bag is the ultimate retro accessory, one that is most commonly associated with the 1980s, when practicality was so synonymous with fashion trends that leg warmers were all the rage. And the bum bag is not that different.
As an adjustable bag that is large enough to fit your essentials but small enough not to be bulbous, it’s an incredibly useful wardrobe staple for day trips, holidays, and of course, festivals.
It also renders you entirely hands-free, which can be great for all the photography, museum visiting and partying that you intend to do this summer.
But not all bum bags are equal. Some are so ginormous they make it almost impossible to style them, while others are miniscule and therefore useless because they can’t even hold your smartphone.
Size isn’t the only thing that matters; pockets are essential. We know that it’s rare for a woman’s pockets to be deep enough to fit anything useful inside them, so why should we deprive ourselves when it comes to our accessories?
The more varied the storage space in your bum bag, the better. This gives you different sections for your phone, keys, credit card and lip balm.
There are some incredibly luxurious options – think ones by Balenciaga and Gucci – but you needn’t drop hundreds of pounds to find a decent bum bag this season. Here’s our pick of the best bum bags to get you through an activity-packed summer.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Hunter original bum bag: £35
There’s a reason why Hunter is the brand you immediately think of when you think about festivals. Sure, you might know them more for their wellies (worn by Kate Moss, Alexa Chung et al), but their bum bags might be just as iconic. This one is the perfect size and boasts three separate compartments ready and waiting to hold all of your necessary items, with one large central pocket (put your phone and disposable camera in here) and two smaller ones (ideal for loose change, debit cards and lip balm). It also has a rigid structure and comes in a cool colourway of black, red and white with Hunter’s recognisable logo stamped on the front. It will go with almost any outfit and actually elevate it rather than dilute it, which is a rare thing in the world of bum bags.
Ellesse lenx cross body bag: £15, JD Williams