Bum bag, hip/belt/fanny pack – whatever you want to call them; a lot of people regard them as a cardinal fashion sin. In all honesty, I rather like them. I’m not even tooting this just because I’ve bought one but honestly, if you’ve caught me out at a gig, I will usually have a bum bag slung around my hips because they precisely fit my digital camera, debit card, Oyster card, keys, Blackberry, powder compact and vaseline. No shoulder bag that digs into shoulder, arms are free to wave around and hold drinks and in general a better time can be had. So that gets that admission out of the way. The lovely Tara from Swan Diamond Rose who has provided me with lovely roomy totes that I like to swish around and fill up needlessly (you give me mahussive bag, I give you stuff to fill it up with…) has come up with a different concept for the bum bag though.
Bum is the Bum is the operative word, which is funny because I believe in North America (where she is based), you guys call it a fanny pack. However I don’t envision this ruffle bustle bum bag being worn at the front and instead, these tiers of hand-stitched and tightly controlled ruffles should sit neatly on the tush. Jeremy Scott mish-mashed the 80s and the 1800s for his S/ 09 collection in a way that I can’t really get my head round. Swan Diamond Rose has mixed the same decades here in a way that I had to love and buy at once.
I know I knI know I know, why add junk to the trunk you say? Well, I’ve never quantified it but my own tush isn’t ginormous nor is it a flat one. It’s not something that’s been a worry-area in the scheme of things. In any case I have on occasion been known to wear skirts with a bit of poof and volume in the back without any qualms so this bum bag serves to be just another form of derriere decoration, albeit a more obvious form of adornment.
The black colour means I can either contrast with it by texture (this case, the satin…) or print/colour (the Escada florals which I’m still in love with…).
As if the one black bit of ruffled tush action wasn’t enough, I couldn’t resist adding a bit of lilac underneath using my KaPowWow neckruff to make a proper decorated bum…
I’m amused by how many different words for the behind I’ve used. Time for ye critical mass to break out with the oh-so-obvious ‘That’s butt-ugly!’ comments now… oh how I shall chuckle…
I have to admit…usually I hate bum bags, mainly because the people I’m used to seeing wearing them are middle aged balding men attempting to pull off the whole ankle socks and sandals combo.
However, I love this! It doesn’t really look bum bag, more an odd sort of highly stylish, intricate pelmet/obi belt type thing. Also the gig bit is a very good point – I always have to wear jeans so I can shove all my stuff into very tight pockets. Not the best of looks.
Also I swear this reminds me of a lot of Giambattista Valli stuff
I have a bum bag by M0851 (gorgeous, modernist, slate blue leather!). I could justify it, these bags being as fashion unpopular as they are, because you can also wear it across your shoulder(adjustable strap) or even as a clutch with wrist strap. (Oh or attach to your own belt.) So I see it as a master of versatility. Mind you, when I’m travelling and I want free hands and light carrying, it’s just the thing around my waist!
omg I’ve been waiting for the bum bag to reappear i saw the one i had when i was ten was all kinds of awesome it was linen with white and black beading all over i think i’d look a bit tragic but i think yours looks great.
Whoa…. I think I want a bum bag for myself now.
Just goes to prove that almost anything when re-designed can turn into something much cooler. These do remind me of those skirts that Carrie used to wear in the last season of sex and the city that look like there is a bunny tail or something attached (i believe they were westwood).
i have a big bum, but you totally pull that off. love it.
I did an extensive ebay search for bumbags, fannypacks last night. Returned nuttin!
Perhaps the new generation is where it’s at.
I think I’d like the ruffles in either dark or a very light wash denim myself…
how stunning these pictures are…
kisses from las vegas
This is such a great find! thank you for posting. It looks fab with all your outfits.
I’m a might blessed back there, and I’d still totally wear that. Might have to DIY one. Hmmmm….
Ruffled fanny packs – amazing.
It’s an interesting and quirky addition to one’s ensemble. I’d say it’s some sort of genius!
This bag looks fantastic on you. I’m kind of wishing for one myself; often I go salsa dancing and I have to wear pants because my skirts have no pockets for my coat check ticket and drink money. A bum bag would solve that dilemma.
It’s like a bustle lite! I am more used to Marie’s massive, full on bustles she used to wear (and she is very generous of bottom but wore them with gusto), but since this also functions as a bag the smallness of it works better. I’d wear it across my body so it sits on my shoulder as I do like a bit of shoulder drama.
I just found you blog and LOVE IT. I love that your style is so chameleon-fab. Don’t ever change, or rather, keep changing! Preferably multiple times a day!
Also, in North America, “Fanny” refers to bum. So, when we say fanny pack, it’s a bum pack, too! I remember I spent a summer in England and was very surprised at the different use of one of my fave words for the bum…
I like it. It could double up as a bustle too! Very Vivienne Westwood.
That reminds me of my invention, the bustlebelt. Funny when I made it a few years ago my friends tried to convince me to put a pocket underneath, Maybe that could be a new option! Its great!
check out the bustlebelt here………
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9878873
I think it’s adorable! Let’s all “bum rush” the shop! Hehe. Seriously, though, I love it. Not normally a FAN of the fanny pack, BUTT this one’s too cute.
(Sorry for the puns. Couldn’t help it.)
Funny I was just scoping out the SwanDiamondRose etsy store minutes ago. I really want a bustle bag – I imagine it would be awesome to go clubbing with – look no hands!
I think it looks really cool actually! You know, I never thought I’d be saying that about a fanny pack. But they are so useful, if you think about it. Maybe when I have the money to throw around, I’ll try out one of these crazy things. 😛
Susie I think you’ve shamed all the haters. xx
It’s no secret that I LOATHE bumbags, but this one is lovely. Still wouldn’t wear it though, I’d feel like I was wearing a massive sign saying ‘hey, pickpocket me! I probably won’t notice!’
I have no bum whatsoever so this would really help me! Plus its just go gorgeous, I love rufflypuff anywhere, anytime!
I saw some bum ruffles on … facehunter I beleive? About 2 months back, and I’ve been meaning to get on a diy of a similar sort.
Thanks for reminding me!
ps-HA! Butt-ugly!
<3<3<3
Oh you guys!! Keep the bum-puns coming…. I will chortle my way through them one by one!
I am a huge fanny pack hater. I especially hated when lesportsac and coach had their fnny pack wearing minions out in force. But the one you have with the ruffles hardly qualified aaa fanny pack it looks more like an item of clothing and I can totally dig that. 🙂
i love this! how handy not to bother with slinging bags open wide on a bar top, i’m sad it’s so expensive though
Bum bags are a great idea, but I could never do it, but THESE ruffled bum bags almost look like a cute bustle! Perfect for going out, especially if clubbing (a rare occurrence though…in my ‘old age’), and they’re cute!
I hate seeing Yummy Mummies with their designer fanny packs (you were right and saying thats what us americans call them) but I like this one!
I totally agree about the practicality of fanny packs. I’m envious that men (straight ones at least) somehow get away with just their wallet shoved in the back of their pants, but women can’t shake the handbag ( me included). I think this take on the ‘pack’ is really cute. I think it isn’t ugly in the least…it reminds me of a vintage clutch strapped on the body…very modern. What I love most is your purple neck ruff, though. It needs to be transformed into a pack..totally adorable..and hands free!!
For the one who said that they’d be pickpocketed, you could fool the would be thief by designing the opening a couple ruffles down, so it would be obscured, unless they are bent on feeling up the whole bum bag, in which case I’m pretty sure you’d feel it!
Susie, you need a bum bag to match your floral skirt!
I am a massive advocate of the bumbag. I have a beat up trusty gold one that has come out with me dancing, as well as been worn about the office. A wise man once said “have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful” – bumbags epitomise this! I wish they were more widely available…
Oh you got one! I posted on these too a while back, so cool!
oh sooo cute! loves it.
im from melbourne and quite a lot of gorgeous ferals (kinda like hippies, kinda like punks..) have all types of bustle-y goodness belted around their bums over skirts at bush parties atm, lots of tulle and ruffleyness sewed onto belts with little mirror mosaics and leather pockets. quite practical and so very cute for shaking your tush on the dancefloor at parties in the bush with a bottle of champers in hand…im annoyed i cant find any on the web to show you.. but anyway like yours and love the addition of the purple neckruff aswell! should put more ruffles!! soo cute.
so completely off topic but i love your hair in these pictures.
Agreeing with the previous posters, and pushing my belief that it’s ok to wear volume anywhere on your body if it looks deliberate.
This is anything BUT butt-ugly, haha, I love the ruffles.
Where do you find all of your amazing pieces! I’m so jealous!
I love the light-colored one! Beautiful.
… this looks so lovely. The purple ruffle thing looks awesome. I loved bumbags, and got myself a Gucci (-blush-) one awhile ago, but it was too big and felt kinda unsafe as I waddled around.
Maan. I want that ruffly ruffly one.
Wow, this is lovely.
That’s sexy in a funky way. I’d wear that for sure.
ah cool! so you did get it! it’s looks great on you, and i can totally see it fit seamlessly into a lot of your outfits. that’s perfect.
Thats kick-ass!
Wow, awesome new bum chum. Sure adds some junk in the trunk though.
fant-ASS-tic !!!
Sorry, but that was just too much fun to pass up.
love it!
This is so unusual and terrific!
Seriously though… $150??? I threw up a little bit. Mostly because I want but cannot afford. Scratch that– I cannot justify spending for it.
looks really cute with the lilac thing underneath it 😉
lots of cutenesss going on there haha
yo this is cute as a butt-on.
yeeeeyeah.
haha i love fanny packs and have been wearing them faithfully, enduring the ridicule, waiting for the day they make a mighty comeback.
and i can feel it coming in the air tonight.
I really like the bum bag pix, I have a Gucci fanny pack Ive been wearing for a while that is totally functional, however this is function and fashion. So lovely.
I saw these on Swan’s flickr stream & just about died. It’d probably be the only fanny pack I’d *ever* wear.
yey! i love that you love it Susie 🙂 it looks great on you.
and thanks so much for the sweet comments people 🙂
here’s some info on my pricing for the people who are shocked. it’s all handmade. and the ruffles are hand sewn on one by one, with a lot of anchoring at the sides. they take me a full 2 days to make. susie’s took longer since it was a special order and and has double the ruffles. i’m actually needing to put the price up but want to keep it somewhat affordable. it’s a bit of a battle.
thanks again for all the sweet comments 🙂
I never thought I’d say this about a fanny pack, but I really like that.
I’ve always wanted to try fanny packs (my strange Northern American lingo), but have never found one I liked. I love that ruffle-y one though, seems like I can try to make one myself.
Love your style, always.
thats one spicy piece of booty ruffilage going on there miss buble!
and it was only last month that I was horrified when my buddie(fashion stylist)doon-ed a bumbbag himself.
I feel there are some sorrys to be given..
heheh
I’m just happy that I can write fanny-pack…love SDR and love her bum bags..in fact I heart ALL her wild creations.
I love this so much that I immediately clicked to the Etsy site to get mine. I’m not sure if I want to draw more attention to my massive bum, but you’ve styled this flawlessly.
its cum isnt it?
Great articles and it’s so helpful. I want to add your blog into my rrs reader but i can’t find the rrs address. Would you please send your address to my email? Thanks a lot!