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Fanny packs, man purses, and going back again

I miss the days when a guy could wear a fanny pack and not get laughed at (assuming there was such a time). A Seinfeld episode popularized the use of man purses for awhile in the 90s, but my wife forbade me from carrying one, so now I have to jam stuff into my pockets or a day bag, which doesn't really work so great. By golly we need something for men that doesn't elicit giggles.

On an entirely different topic, do you go back to the same places in Europe, or elsewhere? When I was growing up our family and seemingly every other clan in West Virginia went to Myrtle Beach in the summer, because, well, that's what you did, my friends. Myrtle has often been referred to as West Virginia South, or as paw paw would say on our road trips, "Boy, we're on the hillbilly highway to the beach!" We would take our beer and bologna sandwich-filled coolers, a boom box with Merle Haggard cassette tapes, and have a grand old time. We saved money by camping and scavenging an old beach umbrella someone had thrown out.

Anyway, back on topic, do you enjoy revisiting places and if so, how often? For me the buzz wears off the second or third visit, unless it's been decades since I've been somewhere and I've more or less forgotten most of it. Of course there's nothing like the first time, like that song by Foreigner.

Posted by
287 posts

I am a big fan of Hawaii, so I go there often. Since we've been there so many times, we are able to completely relax and not feel like we have to run around and see things. Instead we take our time and chill out, maybe go see something we haven't seen in a little while, and just enjoy the place. In terms of Europe, I've gone back to the same areas a couple of times and have used it as a chance to see things I either didn't get to on the prior trip(s) or spend more time and really experience some of the sights and museums. It also enables me to take a more relaxed trip where we can stop and savor the surroundings and ambiance by having afternoon coffee or beers and watching the world go by. That makes for a much more relaxed trip and I feel like I'm getting more out of the trips now instead of rushing around all day long seeing sights and museums without much time to reflect on what I've seen or to just people watch. But then again I have the luxury of more free time these days and am fortunate enough to be able to afford to go back to places. Interesting question that you posed......

Posted by
5396 posts

I dont think there was ever a time when guys wearing fanny packs didn't earn a side eye, if not a smirk; and rightly so IMO. But today I dont think you see the same reaction towards men carrying a bag. They aren't purses. Look in just about any city anywhere, and you'll see men of all ages carrying messenger bags over their shoulder or worn cross body. Nothing in the least effeminate about them and they are practical for laptops and in place of attache cases, and are easier to access when wearing than a backpack, while still leaving your hands free. DH traded in his day bag years ago for his Tom Bihn messenger bag, and nothing about it is giggle worthy.

As for visits in Europe- we usually aim for a mix- some new places and some old favorites. We've made many visits to London and Paris, and have never tired of them, always finding new things to see and do there. But I certainly don't want to restrict our trips to only the tried and true. Nor do we want to restrict them to only Europe. After our next trip to northern England and Scotland, which will be new for us, we'l be turning our attention back to SE Asia.

Posted by
11741 posts

Take a look at the messenger bags by Tom Bihn or Moleskin. Hubby uses one or the other in Europe. Very practical and he fits right in.

Posted by
9198 posts

Not only do men in Germany wear messenger bags, but so do the men in Spain and Portugal and Italy. 3 countries well known for their machoness.
You may be happy to know that hip packs, waist packs, belly belts are in full trend right now but oddly enough seldom worn around the waist. They wear them cross-body now. (don't call them fanny packs as fanny is a rather rude word in the UK and you will get snickers and giggles)

Posted by
2490 posts

Back in my late 20s through my 30s, I went to Monhegan Island, Maine six times. In my latter years, I've gone to Italy three times and hope to go again.

Posted by
203 posts

Fun questions. As a woman, I also wish men had some other type of handy carry all bag. Every member of my family tries to cram all their stuff into my purse, for me to carry around for them... When traveling though, we have a very small daypack - fits a guidebook, a hydro flask and sunglasses, nothing else and it’s super handy and hands free.

For Europe, it’s hard because there are so many places I want to go back to, but so many new places I haven’t yet been. I did one of those whirlwind European backpacking trips in college so I’m open to revisiting those places, as I did them no justice at the time. Our family will be going to Paris next summer and that will be the first return destination for my husband and me (1st time the kids have been there). Aah, to have unlimited time to just travel. Then I could see all the new places I dream of and return to my old favorites as well... This reminds me of a hypothetical question I love to ponder - if you could move to anywhere in Europe, where would you live?

Posted by
14905 posts

"...not get laughed at...." Totally irrelevant in my calculations to wear a fanny pack/ waist belt. That's why I don't wear/carry any sort of day bag, day pack, etc....all unnecessary.

How about Buck Owens instead of the "the Hag?"

Posted by
492 posts

When it comes to fanny packs, it's just a style that strikes many as funny. Men have plenty of options when it comes to similarly sized/use bags, though - how you wear them just makes all the difference! There's small satchels, small messenger bags, crossbody bags, chest bags, leg bags, and such that I'll often see people carry or wear when just out and about.

Posting these more for informational purposes so you can get a picture of what I'm talking about (since the prices on some of these are pretty wild - but the fact that someone's willing to buy them at those prices means they must appeal to someone!):

https://www.tumi.com/p/pocket-bag-small-01173091009/

https://www.iwalletsmen.com/products/leather-leg-bag-belt-pouch-mens-waist-bag-shoulder-bag-for-men-2

https://www.amazon.com/Canvas-Travel-Hiking-Tactical-Messenger/dp/B0122WL02A

https://www.masseysoutfitters.com/products/10057471-patagonia-atom-sling-8l

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Anti-Theft-Men-Chest-Messenger-Sling-Bag-Casual-Shoulder-Small-Crossbody-Bags/254064280007

Smaller bags like that all seem relatively socially acceptable. I have a couple similar things (small sling bag, and smaller crossbody bag) that work great for hiking, days out around town (such as to local festivals or outings to the park with the dogs, amusement parks), and travel.

As for travel, I definitely often find myself getting hooked on a particular destination. I've gone through phases where I just kept returning to London, Prague, Budapest, Costa Rica. Rick's suggestion that we treat places as if we'll be back again, and make sure we fit in time to relax and take things at a slower pace, is something I could really relate to as it's how I prefer to travel. I'd fit in some sightseeing and be very deliberate about certain things, while also enjoying long hours of aimlessly wandering around, sitting in cafes and sipping coffee while people watching, or allowing myself to get distracted by something that piques my interest on the spot. This meant I always had more I wanted to do and see for a future trip, or would discover things on a trip that left me intent on returning. Rather than covering a bunch of different destinations, I'd find myself obsessed with one or two for a couple years and want to really get to know them and cover them thoroughly. The buzz never really wears off - if I move on from that place, it's more because I just happen to end up getting obsessed with a new place!

Posted by
1221 posts

Other good specialty messenger bag brands include Timbuk2 (they change styles and colors a lot and often have decent clearance sales) and also Chrome Industries if you like a younger more 'urban street' look.

Posted by
8168 posts

I have a fanny pack that I once wore when I ran. Would not dream of wearing one or a man purse in normal circumstances.

Posted by
2768 posts

Why doesn’t a day bag work great? Do you mean a backpack and find it hard to access your stuff? As everyone else has mentioned try a cross body bag. Men carry them everywhere, it’s not feminine at all. Where I live every other commuting man has one for his laptop and work files. The remaining men have a backpack, or in very rare and old-school formal types, a briefcase. People have linked plenty of good options.

Re: waist packs. They are becoming popular again now, but mainly seen on young trendy 20somethings, and the bag is more often worn on the shoulder/cross body.

I have a whole host of conflicting thoughts on returning so will try to get into that in a later post.

Posted by
3111 posts

Geez, Emma. I tried on a man purse while shopping, or messenger, not sure what it was called, and Mary looked at me and said, "Yeah, no." I carry the day bag like a good husband, although not quite as convenient as a fanny pack.

The man bag across the body seems like a good idea, but I don't understand why the old fanny pack fell out of favor. It was very practical. I would wear it in front so if someone tried to steal something, well good luck with that.

I like the idea of revisiting places at a more leisurely pace, visiting some off the beaten path sites and not rushing from one must-see attraction to another.

Mira, it's good to hear the waist/fanny pack is returning. I also like your name. Not many "Miras" any more, and that's a shame if you ask me.

Posted by
2574 posts

When I told my sister that I was going back to Germany for the third time in 5 years, she asked me why I was going back again. Then I pointed out that she had been going to the same beach in California every vacation for over 50 years !

Posted by
9198 posts

Guys, they are just called bags or satchels messenger bags or laptop bags. Where does man-purse come from? Would you say woman briefcase? Do you think soldiers wearing satchels for ammo, etc. call them purses?

Posted by
8916 posts

BigMike, just an FYI, if you haven't picked it up from other threads, "fanny" in British slang is a term for a distinctly female part of the body, unlike American slang where it is a person's behind. So "fanny packs" already come loaded with a built-in joke when traveling abroad. While they are undoubtedly useful, they don't look very good on us more mature, non-fashion-model-thin, men who already have a larger padded area around the waist. And whether its immature or not, appearance does matter to people and yes we do judge each other on appearance.

But I think Ms. Jo has a good idea - using ammo pouches for travel. Not only more manly, they might also deter pickpockets. Man purses may sound like an awkward term, but at least it moves past the point of men expecting their wives to carry their tissues and sunscreen. 🙂

I think re-visiting places is fun, because you see different things each time, and if you're traveling with different people you have the fun of showing them places they haven't seen. But I haven't seen every place I want to see, once, yet.

Posted by
1434 posts

I use a satchel, because you know, Indiana Jones had a satchel :). Oh, and the Rock sported a fanny pack in the 90's, so theres that.

Posted by
23601 posts

Personally think Big Mike is just interested in generating responses. I have carried a small black leather shoulder bag for years. Actually purchased it in Europe. Never worried about what other though as it was just practical. But I do think that fanny packs on both male and female looks stupid.

Posted by
1332 posts

I do find myself revisiting the same places. It’s a difficult decision at times, but since I’ve made friends abroad, I like to see them. It’s a different perspective. The most memorable aspect of my last London trip was as spending 2 hours discussing UK politics with a London friend of mine (who also got me into the Van Gogh exhibit at Tate Britain for free!)

I’ve never liked fanny packs (bum bags) I carry a backpack and it’s certainly common in Chicago. I do remember the tabby packs used to be popular among the hippy types in college, usually those who rolled their own cigarettes and marijuana.

Posted by
791 posts

As an artist/art historian I tend to revisit those cities with important museums or new exhibits. For instance, Renoir's Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette was out on loan at the time of my last Musée d'Orsay visit, as was Millet's "The Gleaners". Musée d'Orsay has also acquired some large collections of Nabi works which are being displayed selectively because of their sensitivity to light. An entire wing ("Northern European Painting") was being renovated at the Louvre several years back and I only was able to see a few pieces displayed in weird nooks and crannies. The Carnavalet Museum has been closed since September 2016. So, there are many reasons for return visits.

My traveling partner and I take out our phones, cameras, metals, etc. and place them in a shared bag before they are scanned in security lines. It makes it so much easier to have everything ready to put down on the belt and easier to retrieve afterwards. I'm too clumsy when I'm being pressured to deposit everything and once dropped my camera and I've had my phone wedged between the belt and platform. I really like having the bag for the security lines - it's too tedious taking everything out of the zipped pockets of my cargo pants.

Posted by
2681 posts

Mike, I just love your posts. Thank you for making me chuckle AGAIN.

As for returning to the same places, well, I seem to be unable to stop going to Budapest. 5 trips and counting, started in 2014 and hope to keep going annually as long as possible. London has now had 2 visits and it's another city I will never tire of, plus so many other places to visit easily by train from there.

Posted by
3111 posts

If you grew up in West Virginia it was a rite of passage that you would intimately understand firearms, hunting, fishing, ammo, deer stands, combustible engines, and ramps. Well, maybe not so much any more.

I never thought about ammo as a sort of male accessory. That's great idea!

Buck Owens was a doggone great guitarist, and Roy Clark could play the banjo like nobody's business. Johnny Cash was held in high esteem, and paw-paw simply called him, "the man." I could've corrected him and said "man in black," but that would have been a big mistake, my friends.

Posted by
14905 posts

Going back to make repeat visits and seeing new places is a matter of course if you intend go back at all. Except for the first year of retirement, I have been going back to Germany and Europe every summer since 2009 in these post-retirement trips.

True, the first time visiting is almost always the most impressive with the strongest memories.

Posted by
10344 posts

No man should call his fanny pack a fanny pack when in the UK.

Posted by
9198 posts

C'mon Doug. People carry guide books, water, snacks, tissues, cameras, meds if they need them, umbrellas or ponchos, or jackets if the weather is expected to change in their bags. Carrying your wallet in your pocket is one of the dumber things to do unless you want it to get stolen. If you are going across borders on the train, you would also have your passport. Do you carry that in your pocket too? You must look a lumpy mess.

Posted by
492 posts

Fanny (or waist) pack-sized things are perfect for me. That's why I will often have a pocket bag/small crossbody messenger bag thing. I prefer to keep everything I can in my pockets, but also have pretty bad allergies that make it worthwhile to never stray too far from my inhaler. It can also be nice having eye drops (not only for allergies, but in case my contacts get super dry), have a place outta the way to stash sunglasses, perhaps a charger cord for my phone. None of this is enough to warrant an actual backpack, but with a bulky item like an inhaler pockets aren't an option.

I'm a huge fan of Rick also, and he seems to have his backpack on him all the time in all his TV shows! So even Rick seems to like carrying a bit more than his pockets allow!

Posted by
55 posts

When are we going to have a discussion on Zubaz, or perhaps mullets? Maybe a discussion for wearing Zubaz with fanny packs (painful images!), for those really going retro. Add a mullet to complete the overall, um, look.

Disclaimer, I never, ever felt compelled enough to wear any of these items, or the hairstyle!

Posted by
1221 posts

What do you need to carry that you can’t carry in a pocket? When traveling all I carry is a smartphone, and a couple of creed cards. I’m a fan of Rick of traveling light.

Try finding women's pants in a style you like that have the correct pocket space for the much-needed tampon and pad cozy.

(watches the fellas in the thread run away from the mention of such womanly goods)

Posted by
4590 posts

Mike, there are beaches in SC that we would live on, if our ship ever came in, and we go whenever we have the chance. We never get tired of going back to them. However, our view of Myrtle Beach(feel free to label us snobs) is Just.Don't.

Posted by
3325 posts

I agree with Emma, well said:

I genuinely don’t understand the issue of a man carrying bag!
You have stuff to carry, you need a bag.
How insecure must you be to think that a man using a bag is somehow “wrong”? I tend to assume that the people who feel strongly about this have wives and girlfriends that they are happy to treat as pack horses!

Yes to Selkie's comment as well. Designers of women's clothing are more concerned with appealing to men than to function for women...but don't get me started on that!

My husband has been envious of European men for years with bags, whatever you prefer to call them. He tried one at home and just couldn't get conditioned to remember it all the time. He's reverted to his pockets, which hold an amazing amount of things. Nonetheless, there are items he assumes I have; ie, tums, kleenex, etc. and when I don't he always looks a bit disappointed...(and he's one of the good guys). I'd like to know what Doug's wife carries...

PS. I'd like to add that my husband has no problem carrying my purse when necessary. He does not feel it diminishes his appearance or his masculinity.

Posted by
4506 posts

Try finding women's pants in a style you like that have the correct
pocket space for the much-needed tampon and pad cozy.

Guess what my wife made me carry in her effort to get me to give up my fanny pack? I gave it up and now everything I need fits in a money belt and cargo shorts. She's working on me to give up the cargo shorts but at present they're still tampon free.

Posted by
5396 posts

Oh the excitement of discovering a dress with pockets

LOL. My daughter recently sent me an email with accompanying photo. It said: Look at the dress I just bought ( it was really pretty). It's. Got. Pockets!!!!!"

Posted by
14905 posts

When out and about in Austria and Germany, I carry my small digital Canon camera in the waist belt, plus cash (Euro notes) and some Euro coins disguised or hidden away inside, 2 extra fully charged batteries for the camera, one energy bar, my rail pass, (mustn't forget that), and a few odds and ends. The meds stay in the hotel room

The credit cards stay on me, not inside the waist belt. What I don't carry at all is a smart phone. The RS concept of traveling light is irrelevant to me, I don't carry any type of day bag or pack.

If I am traveling with the Mrs, she is not burdened with carrying my "stuff" and I don't carry any of her "stuff" either.

Posted by
295 posts

When I am traveling overseas, I take a Tom Bihn Co-Pilot to carry my camera, passports, water, snacks, phone and charger. I could not imagine going anywhere without it unless we are simply stepping out for dinner.

At home, I have been pondering a smaller bag for my phone, wallet and keys. While I am certainly not a 20 something hipster, I do wear well-tailored clothing which quickly looks ridiculous when the pockets are overstuffed with our daily essentials. Baggy pants and cargo shorts are even more out of style than any man bag right now. My wife made me throw out my baggy cargo shorts years ago, dammit.

Here is one I have ordered and am waiting on.

https://www.dsptch.com/collections/packs/products/sling-pouch-small

Posted by
12313 posts

I only think a man purse is appropriate if you're also wearing man-capris and a man-bun. If you're going down that road, you need to OWN it. ;-)

Posted by
1664 posts

Lol Brad.

I'm sorry in advance to those who may sport one, but no....No man bun, please nooo

Posted by
2509 posts

I love Seinfeld and never tire of seeing episodes multiple times! I appreciate your humor, thanks for lightening our mood on the forum.

Posted by
3428 posts

I HAVE to have a purse or some other bag 90% of the time. Like someone else mentioned, I must carry an inhaler and multiple asthma medications at all times. And while I no longer need tampons or period pads, I do need 'those other' kind of pads. BUT... In addition to the absolutely necessary, I carry lots of 'useful' things. (Unfortunately, I 'trained' my hubby incorrectly by doing this. ) Hubby will turn and ask if I have nail clippers, out they come. He'll spot a thread pulling out of a seam- out come the tiny scissors from my 'sewing' kit (and sometimes the needle and thread). "I'm getting a headache." or "my allergies are acting up", or "I've got heartburn", …… I've got the medication, most likely. Get a paper cut or scrape your knuckles- I've got the Band-Aids. Dirty hands or a stain- wipes. Need a mint? Got that. Pen and paper? yep. And my bag is NOT huge- just well packed.

My kids (and some of the teachers who worked under me when I was an middle school assistant principal) joked I could live out of my purse for a week, if I added a change of undies. And I probably could.

And.... It all started when we were traveling and I carried the day bag. So I fully understand the need for the 'right' kind of bag to keep each individual comfortable.

Posted by
3111 posts

Judy: I'm trying to recall the name of the episode with the man-purses. I did recently see the one with the "man-zier," or as Kramer preferred to call it, "bro." Some men need support, too. Perhaps some entrepreneur will make millions of such an idea.

Toni: You are still you as far as being a well organized school administrator is concerned.

Posted by
2509 posts

Mike,
I don’t remember the name either. The reruns used to be on at 10 pm and I would go to sleep laughing. I almost know every episode by heart.

Posted by
2509 posts

Mike,
I got sidetracked by your mention of Seinfeld and forgot to think about and respond to your question regarding returning to places I’ve been.
It depends, for Europe, I can always return to my favorite big cities: London Paris Rome Vienna Berlin Amsterdam Florence Venice. I do have to space my travels out to conform to my vacation days from work. I am restless in my European travels and want to see mostly new places I’ve not been. This is part of why I like RS tours because they introduce me to new places efficiently and give me a taste of their culture that may entice me to return.

For the US: NYC, Washington DC, San Francisco, Boston are my favorites. I haven’t been to Chicago or Philadelphia which I need to rectify.