Bum bags and fanny packs for women: travel, festival and everyday

Rediscover the must-have fashion accessory with our selection of bum bags combining practicality and contemporary style. Our collection offers varied models to suit all tastes: colourful fluffy bum bags by David Jones, velvet creations adorned with stars from the Mandoline brand, or faded denim models for an urban and casual look. These versatile fashion accessories are worn across the body to free your movements while keeping your essentials within reach.

Our bum bags come in a range of trendy colours - from fluffy green to navy blue, as well as camel, mustard and silver. The careful finishes and quality materials ensure durable accessories at an affordable price. Whether you're looking for a classic plain model or a more original design like Sweet & Candy's butterfly patterns, you'll find in our range the ideal bum bag to complement your daily outfit or accompany your outings.

Bum bag vs fanny pack: what's the difference, and what does Gen Z call them?

The terminology splits along regional lines. In the UK, the bag is a bum bag (the term used by ASOS, Next, Rains and the UK Pinterest mood boards). In the US, the same bag is a fanny pack, though the word "fanny" carries a very different meaning in British English, which is why the UK has always preferred "bum bag". Gen Z, having grown up between TikTok and US streaming, increasingly uses the term belt bag, which Lululemon turned into a viral product category in 2022 (UK volume "belt bag" 4 400 monthly searches). Add the technical term waist bag (2 400 monthly searches), favoured by outdoor brands, and you have four words for the same item. UK monthly search volume confirms: 18 100 on "bum bag", 6 600 on "bum bag ladies" and 6 600 on "bum bag women".

How to wear it: crossbody, around the waist or shoulder

Three carrying styles coexist in the 2026 UK wardrobe. Around the waist (the original 90s rave revival) remains the way to wear it for festivals, hands-free travel and city walks. Crossbody on the chest (the style that broke through around 2018 thanks to street style coverage from London Fashion Week) became the daily crossbody, perfect with an oversized blazer or a trench coat. On one shoulder like a mini bag plays the small-bag-as-accessory angle. The current British rule: a leather or velvet model worn crossbody in a colour matching your coat or boots reads as polished, not throwback.

The best designs for women in 2026: leather, nylon, designer

The 2026 UK selection splits into three price tiers. Designer pieces (1 300 monthly searches "designer bum bag") lead the luxury end with Mulberry, Aspinal of London, Stella McCartney and the Italian leather brands distributed by Selfridges and Harvey Nichols. Leather pieces (1 300 monthly "leather bum bag") cover the mid-market: classic UK names like Cambridge Satchel Company, Radley London and Aspinal, plus continental imports. The accessible tier (the bulk of the market) sits at ASOS, Eastpak, Rains, New Look, Marks & Spencer and Sports Direct. Our selection lives in the accessible tier with multi-brand pieces (Systyle Paris, Sweet & Candy, David Jones) at high street prices.

Travel format: hands-free airport essentials

The travel format (590 monthly searches "travel bum bag") is the staple of the budget airline carry-on era. Worn under a jacket at the airport, it keeps your passport, phone and credit cards reachable without opening a backpack. Choose a slimline shape that doesn't bulk under a coat, preferably with a hidden inner zip pocket. For day trips and city breaks, browse our womens backpack collection as a complementary option. The parent complete womens bags range brings together our full bag offer.

The festival format: phone, cards and lipstick only

The festival format (590 monthly searches "bum bag festival") survives Glastonbury, Reading, Boomtown and the smaller summer events. The rule is brutal: phone, debit card, lipstick, hand sanitiser. Nothing else. A nylon or vegan leather version with a robust webbing strap and a hidden zip lasts more than one season; a fabric version will fade. For everyday alternatives, see our womens tote bag range.

How to clean the bag

Care varies by material. Leather needs a light conditioner every 2-3 months and a soft cloth for regular wipe-downs. Velvet is brushed with a soft brush, never water; stains go to specialist leather goods cleaners. Nylon and canvas tolerate a delicate machine wash inside a mesh laundry bag, cold cycle. Avoid prolonged sun exposure to preserve coloured prints. Always empty pockets before washing and let air dry flat to keep the shape.