I Know This Trend Will Be Around in 2019, so I Finally Bought Into It

I’m not always one to ride the wave of a trend at its peak. I tend to either jump on something immediately or just skip it all together. Well, there’s one popular trend that’s changed my way of thinking: belt bags. TBH, when the whole fanny-pack thing started trickling throughout the street style set a few seasons ago, I was on the fence. It felt somewhat gimmicky and something only the coolest fashion people could pull off. Then spring 2018 happened, and the trend infiltrated every corner of the fashion world (and it’s still going strong).

I first dipped my toe into this specific trend pool over the summer with a Zara style (wasn’t quite ready to commit to something expensive), realizing quickly that aside from being a forward look, a belt bag is highly practical for anyone on the go who wants a cool bag that’s lightweight and allows you to be hands-free. Given that, I’ve added a range of styles to my collection over the last few seasons. I even invested in a more high-end iteration (a Burberry pick) because as the S/S 19 runways also highlighted, the bag style isn’t going away anytime soon.

Thoughts on the bag trend? Have you tested it out yet? Keep scrolling to check out some of my favorite fashion girls wearing their go-to belt bags slung across their forward outfits. Plus, shop the styles I’m eyeing to swing over your shoulder now and well into next year.

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(Image credit: @brittanyxavier)

An oversize belt bag feels incredibly forward with a more tailored ensemble.

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(Image credit: @ada_oguntodu)

Try a structured bag if you want to go the polished route with a suit. 

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(Image credit: @courtneeruthie)

A colorful style adds just the right amount of pop to a monochrome ’fit.

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(Image credit: @basicstouch)

Swap out your standard crossbody bag for a low-key fanny pack on the weekend.

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(Image credit: @waityouneedthis)

Test out two trends at one time: leopard and the coveted belt bag. 

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(Image credit: @scoutthecity)

This just may be the ensemble we live in all winter long: a longline coat, sweater, jeans, ankle boots, and the bag.

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(Image credit: @vbiancav)

A belt bag slung across your body adds an extra level of dimension to any outfit, including this sweater-and-culottes situation.

Shop more belt bags:

Next, check out another bag trend that's still the way to go in 2019.

Bobby Schuessler
Market Director

Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent over seven years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retialers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises. He has also worked across a variety of other media brands and fashion retailers like Refinery29, PureWow, Men's Health, and Gilt covering commerce, trend reporting, women's and men's fashion, home, and lifestyle.