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07 Oct

Top 10 Cute and Conscious Bum Bags and Fanny Packs

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Bum bags have come full circle and are back in fashion, and they seem to be sticking around. If you want to invest in the cute and practical hip bag, we’ve collated a list of responsibly-made fanny packs from top rated brands.

Conscious alternatives to bum bags

A few years ago, we all thought fanny packs (or bum bags, hip bags, belt bags… you get the gist) were this nightmarish and touristy accessory of the past. Despite being so useful for keeping all your belongings within reach, they are one of the world’s most polarising trends (who knew bum bags had such a fascinating history?), and yet, they’re everywhere nowadays. From fast fashion shelves to haute couture runways, fanny packs have been revamped to fit the 21st century modern trends. But not all fanny packs are created equal—or sustainable and ethical.

So step aside, horrible old multi-coloured nylon fanny packs and unethical bum bags, ‘cause we’re here to show you 10 cute, classy, trendy, but most importantly, conscious alternatives.

O My Bag

Rated: Good

Beck’s Bum Bag – Ships internationally

O My Bag merges style and a responsible approach, creating vintage inspired, rugged-chic bags made from lower-impact, high quality materials. The Dutch label also uses non-toxic dyes in its products.

See the rating.

Shop O My Bag.

Shop O My Bag @ Urbankissed.

Shop O My Bag @ Wearwell.

Up-Fuse

Rated: Good
front and open view of fanny pack by Up-fuse

Candy Waist Bag in Red – Ships internationally from Egypt

Up-Fuse is a Cairo-based social enterprise that promotes an eco-conscious lifestyle. Believing “one’s trash is another’s fabric”, the brand works with Syrian, Ethiopian, and Sudanese female refugees in Egypt to create its unique products.

See the rating.

Shop Up-Fuse.

BEEN London

Rated: Good

Kingsland Belt Bag – Ships internationally

BEEN London is a London-based brand turning waste into timeless accessories you’d want to use every day. All their products are made of materials that have been something else in a previous life, including recycled leather offcuts and plastic bottles.

See the rating.

Shop BEEN London.

Shop BEEN London @ Cerqular.

Stella McCartney

Rated: Good

Stella Logo Belt Bag – Ships internationally

A member of the Ethical Trading Initiative and Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Stella McCartney has set some excellent environmental standards across the luxury fashion industry. Stella uses some eco-friendly materials, including recycled polyester and organic cotton, and has a strategy in place to reduce waste across its entire supply chain. It has also adopted the ETI Code of Conduct that includes a living wage definition! This belt bag can be fastened around the waist or adjusted to wear crossbody so you can pair it with any outfit.

See the rating.

Shop Stella McCartney @ LVR Sustainable.

Shop Stella McCartney @ Labell-D.

Shop Stella McCartney Kids Pre-Owned @ Retykle.

Shop Stella McCartney Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Shop Stella McCartney.

Parker Clay

Rated: Good

Desta Belt Bag – Ships internationally from the US

A bag that saves lives? You got it. Parker Clay is an American based brand looking to create a future without exploitation by bettering lives and communities in Ethiopia. The brand has partnered with Ellilta Women at Risk program, fighting to bring women out of prostitution by providing a more stable income and safe working environment. Parker Clay also helps preserve traditional Ethiopian techniques, materials, and styles, ensuring that this fast growing country is able to remain close to its beautiful roots.

See the rating.

Shop Parker Clay.

Girlfriend Collective

Rated: Good
woman of colour wearing black sustainable bum bag by Girlfriend Collective

Black Please Recycle Fanny Pack – Ships internationally from the US

Girlfriend Collective creates minimal, luxury clothes made with fair labour, certified by the Social Accountability Standard International SA8000. The brand uses lower-impact materials like recycled polyester as well as lower-impact, non-toxic dyes and is fully OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified.

Inclusively sized Girlfriend Collective offers products from 2XS-6XL.

See the rating.

Shop Girlfriend Collective @ LVRSustainable.

Shop Girlfriend Collective.

RÆBURN

Rated: Good

Typhoon Belt Bag – Ships internationally

If you’re looking for the perfect fanny pack to complete your ethical streetwear look, then look no further than this Typhoon Belt Bag by Raeburn. British streetwear brand Christopher Raeburn makes an art out of upcycling. This is a fashion-forward brand for men and women that creates sharp looks from military surplus, like in this olive belt bag. It also offers free repairs so you can take care of your precious investment pieces.

See the rating.

Shop Raeburn @ Farfetch.

Sandqvist

Rated: Good

Vandela Bum Bag – Ships internationally

Here’s another bag you can wear two different ways! This chic and minimalist shoulder bag by Sandqvist also doubles as a belt bag. Sweden’s Sandqvist makes a range of stylish, everyday bags from backpacks to handbags. It uses organic cotton and recycled fabrics, and is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation. Sandqvist even has its own workshop which repairs and upcycles old bags into new products.

See the rating.

Shop Sandqvist.

Shop Sandqvist Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Hamilton Perkins Collection

Rated: Good

Earth Bag Hip – Ships internationally

Hamilton Perkins Collection is a certified B Corporation brand that creates designer travel bags made from recycled plastic bottles and repurposed billboard vinyl lining. It uses a high proportion of eco-friendly materials, and does not use any animal derived materials. Hamilton Perkins Collection’s classic bum bag is made from recycled plastic bottles and recycled billboards, and the brand recycles one square yard of billboard for every bag they sell. What’s not to like?

See the rating.

Shop Hamilton Perkins Collection.

BeeKeeper Parade

Rated: Great

Red Fox Beekeeper Bum Bag – Ships internationally

BeeKeeper Parade creates backpacks, iPad cases and other fashion accessories out of discarded fabric waste. In addition to being better for the planet, people, and animals, the Red Fox Bum Bag is perfect for holding all your essentials, whether you’re passing through airports or rocking out at a music festival. Plus it’s super cute!

See the rating.

Shop Beekeeper Parade.

Editor's note

feature image via Farfetch, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. We love to recommend some of the best sustainable brands, rated "Good" or "Great". We also encourage shopping pre-owned as another great way to reduce the impact of our fashion choices. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

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