I’ve seen them called “Belt packs” because, after all, it’s a pack-like container sewn onto a belt.
And before the surf-craze resurfaced in the 1980’s we used to call the footwear “zo-ries” but that may be a cognate of some foreign term. Then they were called “thong sandals” and then “thongs” and then the Brazilian swimwear became famous and they had to be called something other than a ‘thong’ so they became “flip-flops” because that’s what they do when you accidentally fling them off your foot while walking down the road…
I think it happened while I was in school. (Or, at least I was near the beginning of the transition). The reason it happened is pretty easy to understand: we started carrying more and more books.
The transition was just over who wore them and who didn’t. It just gradually worked its way up the coolness scale. It also worked its way up the grades. By my class, for example, it wasn’t really cool or uncool. I mostly just did one strap because it was faster, up until I finally got it worked out where I would only need two books at any given time, meaning I could just carry them.
I can only guess that it became uncool because it stopped being common, and thus started to indicate you were “trying” to be cool, which is the worst thing you can do these days.
As for fanny packs, I’ve never seen them worn any way but on the front. That was just where you wore them. Did they get moved to the side? Surely not the back, as that would make sitting really annoying.
If you guys want a not-lame version of a “fannypack” get a SpiBelt. They’re used for running. They’re inconspicuously small but hold a shit-ton of stuff.
I can pin that one down to within a year or two, because it actually happened while I was in college, and you could peg someone’s class year/age by whether they were a one or two strap person.
I graduated high school in 1991, and college in 1996. Sometime around my Junior or Senior year (1994-1995-ish), the incoming freshmen wore theirs with both straps, while us old-timers still single-strapped it. We thought dual-strapping was kind of dorky, and I’m sure they felt the same way about us.
Similarly, I have something from PacSafe that is more of a belt pouch with an optional carrying strap. It’s designed to have your belt run through loops on the bag as opposed to having its own buckling strap. The only time I actually use it is when in Mexico and that’s mostly because as a tourist you are required to carry your passport and tourist card on you at all times. If that wasn’t required I’d probably not bother with anything other than my wallet and just not carry too much cash on me.
I think belt-bags/fanny-packs/waist-packs had already become passe (mid-90’s) when I bought mine. Then again, I bought mine for its additional features and now it’s basically my carry-all when I go practice. It holds my full-size Witness, plus cleaning tools, plus 4 extra magazines.
Nobody tells me I look like a dork when I’m wearing it.
I’ve always lamented the fact that fanny packs are universally considered really really tacky. I tend to carry a bunch of crap in my pockets and having a fanny pack would be super useful. I’ve considered getting a man purse, but that’s weird too apparently.
Damn you fashion, why can’t anything useful be trendy?
I got one (actually two, wore one out) in the early 80’s. When I went long-distance packing in the mid 80’s, I stitched fastex buckles into the top of my (u-zipper) backpack so it could clip on top. Worked great for my 6-month trip. When just carrying the pack, I usually carry it over my shoulder, but it’s very handy to be able to clip it around my waist when I want both hands free. But the fashion police have put the nix on it.
My wife got this great small camera bag as a giveaway from Steelcase, that’s made to wear over one shoulder and tuck behind your arm, just like I carried my pack. I seem to have inherited it; it’s a great airline carry-on. But I’m tempted to put a buckle in it so that I can clip it around my waist for a moment when it would be convenient!
I got a Kelty “Boulder MG” fanny pack many years ago; a great three-compartment unit with two mesh bottle pockets that converts into a daypack. I use it for biking when I’m on vacation; it has plenty of room for a spare tube, a CO2 inflator, wallet, keys, a camera and other small items.
I also have a giveaway neoprene pocket belt from the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. It’s big enough for a wallet or cellphone and some keys–I use it for bike rides around home.
I rejoice in such sites as etsy, where one can peruse and pursue those fashions of yesteryear which should never have gone away. The late eighties for example were about the last time women’s fashions were flattering on me – dropped waists, fitted bodices, and long full skirts (I remove the shoulder pads). In like wise, fanny packs are the perfect way to carry wallet, keys, phone, and a couple other small items safely and without any fuss while, say, buying groceries. I would not be without my well-made black leather fanny pack circa 1987. Luckily the fashion police don’t have my address.
I used a fanny pack for years, and never gave a damn what anybody thought about it. I only changed to a knapsack - or man purse - because the fanny pack couldn’t hold a book. I still carry my man purse everywhere.
I made a foot-in-the-mouth comment recently, I commented on someone who still wears a fanny pack, but I’d forgot they had a colostomy bag. I think that’s a good reason to wear a fanny pack. At least I didn’t make the comment in earshot of the fanny pack wearer.
