Belt Bags: Best Styles and Selection From All Your Favorite Fashion Stores

Why carry a purse when you can carry all of your essentials in a trendy, hands-free belt bag? With so many different styles to choose from, modern belt bags go well with a wide variety of occasions and outfits. Many are adjustable and can even be worn in different ways to accommodate fluctuating looks. In addition to being fashionable, one of the main reasons so many people love these bags are because their design offers greater security than other bags. Fortunately, our selection of belt bags is pretty extensive. Whether it's style or security (or both) that you're after, there's a bag here for you. Read on to learn more about belt bags and how to style them so you always look chic.

History          

Believe it or not, the basic concept for a belt bag is thousands of years old. The earliest recognizable version of these bags dates back to the Stone Age in Ireland, though it has been seen throughout history in many other cultures around the world. Nevertheless, modern versions really came into prominence in the early 1980s, when "athleisure" fashion became a thing. When sweatpants, track suits and other traditional gym wear started making its way into the mainstream (largely thanks to music videos), belt bags became their natural component. 

By 1988, the belt bag was named "Hottest Product of the Year" by AdWeek and was now going by various names-- the fanny back, bum bag, kidney bag, banana bag (you have the French to thank for that one), etc. Model Claudia Schiffer wore one in a Chanel ad, and all the kids on Saved by the Bell frequently sported them. This carried into the 1990s, where everyone from Drew Barrymore to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson wore them while out and about. Throughout the decade, belt bags remained among the most popular fashion accessories.

Unfortunately, the momentum didn't last, and the early 2000s saw drastic changes in fashion brought on by the Millennium. Belt bags waned in popularity, along with many other staples of the late 20th Century. But fashion is often surprising, and very often, cyclical. Belt bags eventually re-surged in popularity in the 2010s, going on to make up 25 percent of fashion accessory sales growth in 2018. They're showing no sign of slowing down anytime soon, and they've been spotted on celebrities like Serena Williams and Kendall Jenner. The 2018 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show also helped boost their popularity even further by featuring various designs on the runway. 

Details

Logo

Logos on belt bags can range from subdued or large and bold. Try pairing a bold logo belt bag with a form-fitting solid-color dress and casual shoes or sneakers for a daring day look. Or, simply wear it with pants, a simple shirt and your favorite jacket for a trendy appearance.

Quilted

The quilted belt bag look is a relatively newer one, giving these bags a more high-fashion appearance. While this look does come in a wide range of materials, we're particularly liking quilted leather for a fashion-forward look. It also works great with a wide variety of outfits, from jeans to dresses. 

Studded

For the glamorous look, a studded belt bag is the way to go. Studs can range from really edgy and spike to more rounded and subdued. Either way, it's a bag that makes a statement for both itself and its wearer. Try pairing a studded belt bag with neutral tones to help it stand out even more. 

Material

Leather

Leather belt bags were relatively rare back in the 1980s and 1990s (it was synthetic materials that were huge), but today they are very popular. Whether it's real leather or faux material, this material gives belt bags the boost they need to fit with a wide variety of outfits and different occasions. It's also very durable. 

Canvas

This material has risen in popularity across the accessory fashion industry in recent years, and with good reason. It is highly durable and can be dyed in virtually any color. It also meshes well with a large range of other types of materials that can be used as accents. There's nothing like a bright, canvas belt bag to add some fun to any daytime outfit. 

Color

Black

This is always a great choice for belt bags, because it virtually goes with any clothing color(s). Black belt bags are found in almost every type of material, from leather and cloth to synthetic. This is also a great color choice for those who want to fluctuate between being inconspicuous and making a statement. 

Yellow (gold)

Want your look to stand out from the crowd? Pair a yellow belt bag with darker colored clothing, and you definitely will. Or, for a light, summer look, pair it with white and other light, tone-down hues. Either way, we're really digging yellow metallics like gold right now.

Brown

A brown belt bag is for the relaxed fashionista who knows she's on trend but doesn't need to scream it out loud. We're really into textured browns right now, such as faux fur or embossed leather. Try pairing it with a mini dress and some boots, and you've got a great go-to look. 

Red

Repeat this statement: Red bags will always be on trend. Red belt bags are no exception, and they can make any outfit (light or dark colors) pop.     

Sale          

Not only are we committed to bringing you a huge inventory when it comes to brands and styles, but we also want to give you a great selection of belt bags on sale! Visit our sale section to view belt bags between 40 percent and up to 71 percent off.

Brands

We have a wide variety of designer belt bags to choose from. This is just a short list of some of today's hottest belt bag brands:

Rebecca Minkoff

Rebecca Minkoff belt bags are notable for their overall simple look and earthy tones. While there are some deviations in metallic and macrame, most of the designs here are found in leather or nylon. We really love how these bags are great for everyday errands. 

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs belt bags are for the true fashionista who nevertheless appreciates a classic-inspired look. Most of the belts seen here are also highly adjustable, meaning the bags can be worn on most body types and in a variety of different ways. What's not to like?

MCM

Belt bags from MCM are almost all leather or faux-leather designs, making them perfect for business-casual outfits or even as edgy evening wear. These bags are surprisingly spacious too, with many of them coming with multiple pockets. And if you like the monogrammed look, this is definitely the right designer for you. 

PrettyLittleThing

This designer caters almost exclusively to younger generations, with PrettyLittleThing belt bags coming in a variety of funky yet high-fashion styles. There's a lot to choose from here (from casual, sporty looks to more refined, classy ones), and that's exactly what we love about this brand. 

Steve Madden

This brand is always a great go-to for fashion accessories, and Steve Madden belt bags are no exception. These bags are a great choice for people who want to make bold statements, with big, chunky shapes and a lot of bright colors to choose from. 

Ways to Wear Them

Today's belt bags can be worn in different ways, and no, we're not counting carrying as one of them (though of course you can carry it like a regular purse if you want). Traditionally, these bags are worn straight across the waist, with the bag part in front for easy access. Many people also choose to wear them with the bag rotated around so that it rides on their hip or back. Modern designs are nevertheless often worn diagonally across the chest.

Modern Trends

Today's belt bags are just about the most on trend you can get when it comes to bags and fashion accessories in general. It seems that just about every major model and social media star (Karie Kloss, Bella Hadid, the Kardashians, etc.) likes to wear one when stepping out, whether it's during daytime errands or a night going to the club. Even Beyonce herself has accessorized herself with a designer belt bag. 

Various celebrity men have also been spotted with their own belt bags, including Lil Wayne and Leonardo DiCaprio. Late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel even wore his own to the Emmy Awards, giving the bag a red carpet boost. 

Belt Bags Aren't Going Away Anytime Soon

Seeing as there was a dip in belt bag popularity after the 1990s, is it reasonable to believe that these bags will stay popular for now? Surprisingly, yes. With their growth still very much accelerating, the dip isn't coming anytime soon. Furthermore, today's belt bags are of a very different breed than the baggy, synthetic ones that were seen throughout the 1980s and 1990s. While those bags were promoted strictly as casual wear, modern designs are much more high fashion and rival designer handbags. Thanks to their ability to be paired with almost any outfit, today's belt bags are here to stay for a long time.