Are Belt Bags Still a Trend, or Have They Become a Staple?

In the mid-2010s, we began to see a sudden surge in the availability of backpacks. Designers, both contemporary and luxury alike, began to include the incredibly functional carryall in their lineups, and for good reason. Though many people proclaim that backpacks are too juvenile, reminding them of prepubescent school days when the silhouette was meant to hold textbooks, notebooks, and a lunchbox, it’s easy to see why the backpack has become a go-to pick.

The Rise of the Belt Bag

It’s functional, allowing the wearer to go hands-free; typically lightweight; and, to top it off, backpacks can be one of a designer brand’s more affordable options.

Regardless of why, it’s no secret that the backpack has stuck around, and a few years after its resurgence, we proclaimed that the backpack was here to stay. Standing the test of time—they’re still readily available from many of our favorite brands—backpacks have moved far beyond the trend phase and have remained a staple, both in stores and in our closets.

But what about the backpack’s equally functional, and often just as lightweight, little sister: the belt bag? Have belt bags reached staple status yet, or are they still riding out the trend cycle before they head off to bag heaven, just waiting to be brought back from the dead?

Let’s discuss.

The modern-day fanny pack, known more commonly as the belt bag, first burst back onto the scene after years of attempts to make the style stick. Our former editor Amanda reported on the functional silhouette’s resurgence, noting that fashion folk had been trying to make belt bags happen for years. Even though many of us thought they never would, they finally did.

From Trend to Wardrobe Staple

It’s not hard to understand why the shape was so easily embraced. A good belt bag checks off three categories: fashion, function, and versatility. Not to mention, the right one can last in a wearer’s closet for years to come. Unsurprisingly, belt bags have remained a go-to for handbag lovers who want an easy-to-wear shape that is equally as functional as it is fashionable. And while the belt bag is still very much a thing, is that enough to call it a wardrobe staple?

I think so.

Personally, I think the belt bag is here to stay. But like the backpack, I think its popularity has waned, remaining an option for consumers without necessarily being the it-shape of the moment. Looking back, that prediction feels particularly interesting. Belt bags didn’t simply disappear as the trend cycle moved on; instead, they became a more established part of the handbag landscape, evolving in size, shape, and styling.

Are Belt Bags Still Popular in 2026?

Today, belt bags occupy a somewhat different place in the market than they did during their initial resurgence. They’re no longer quite the novelty they once were, but neither have they disappeared into the archives. Luxury and contemporary brands continue to offer versions of the style, while consumers have embraced wearing them in different ways—around the waist, across the chest, or slung over the shoulder.

So, have belt bags officially earned their place as a wardrobe staple? After years of wondering whether the style would have staying power, I think the answer is yes.