Of all the ’80s trends that have come back to haunt us, the fanny pack seemed like the least likely to catch on. But this decade’s take—rebranded as the “belt bag”—is sleek and streamlined. The only thing it has in common with the neon, nylon fanny pack I you wore to a New Kids on the Block concert is the undeniable convenience. You can’t properly bop to “The Right Stuff” or take a decent selfie if you’re also juggling a cute-but-cumbersome clutch.
Mrs. Bieber modeled a convertible belt bag from Alexander Wang x Bulgari in two colors.
Kylie Jenner
Stormi’s mom slung a plaid belt bag across a white sports bra.
Kaia Gerber
SplashNews
In NYC, Kaia Gerber matched a black-leather belt bag with black-leather pants.
Lisa Rinna
Bauer-Griffin
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star stepped out in Los Angeles last month with daughter Amelia Gray Hamlin.
Bella Hadid
But no one knows her way around a belt bag quite like Bella Hadid, the patron saint of belt bags on the runway. Observe:
Victor Virgile
Walking the runway for Roberto Cavalli Ready to Wear Fall/Winter 2019-2020 at Milan Fashion Week.
Victor Virgile
At the Fendi Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2019 show during Milan Fashion Week.
Pascal Le Segretain
With Virgil Abloh after the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2019 show at Paris Fashion Week.
Pierre Suu
Leaving a hotel in Paris a month earlier.
Victor Virgile
Back on the runway for the Tod’s Ready to Wear Fall/Winter 2018-2019 show during Milan Fashion Week.
Gilbert Carrasquillo
Leaving the Brandon Maxwell fashion show during New York Fashion Week.
Victor Boyko
And, the first time she was spotted in the wild with a belt bag: Walking the runway during the Chanel Haute Couture Spring Summer 2016 show at Paris Fashion Week.
I like to think of my closet as a carefully-curated collection of my absolute favorite, essentials pieces—the ones that, as a fashion editor, I can truly vouch for: a go-to t-shirt, jean, coat, sneaker, even underwear. Because I spend my days previewing, testing, and styling so many products, I also love being a resource to family and friends outside of the industry when they have a shopping question or complaint, helping them find the best of whatever they’re looking for, in whatever specific color they like, to fit them in just the right way, and so on. There’s one item, though, that I must admit still eludes me, the one thing I had absolutely no idea how to shop for—and that’s a belt.
Unless a piece of clothing came with a belt that matched (like a sundress with one literally built into it), I avoided belts at all cost. If I wore jeans that were too baggy, I would unabashedly be hiking them up by the empty belt loops throughout the day. The belts I did own were embarrassingly dated, from my high school and college days—I’m talking ones with embroidery, braided leather, and grommets, people…. not exactly my style now. Statement belts and logo buckles have their own appeal, but I found shopping for an everyday belt—something simple, basic—surprisingly tricky: It’s hard to come by one that’s functional but stylish, good quality but not wildly expensive.
Really, there are two extremes in the belt market: cheaply-made low-quality ones that will peel apart or start fraying after a few wears, or very expensive designer ones that, somehow, will still peel apart or start fraying. Some are also too short, so you have to add extra belt holes, or too long, so you have to style them more creatively. I could never find a belt that hit all the notes I needed it to. But then I came across Upton Belts, and my whole outlook changed.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Upton Belts
Starting at at $120, Upton’s belts are made in the USA, made-to-order, monogrammable, and comparable to high-end designer ones on the market that sport a much higher price tag. There are three styles that vary slightly in design: the Knox (which has a wider strap and bigger buckle for a casual look), The Fifty (which has a thinner flat strap and a smaller buckle for smart-casual styling), and the Duke (which has the same dimensions as the Fifty, but with a rounded, domed surface for dressier occasions.) They’re available in full grain smooth and pebbled leather, as well exotic options; the buckles come in a range of finishes, from brass to matte nickel.
To ensure the perfect fit, Upton gives you step-by-step instructions to measure yourself for a belt size, which you then select, along with your pant size. If you really don’t want to get up, you can request for Upton to send you a fit kit, which has more directions and a measuring tape. The belt comes with three holes, with the middle one corresponding to your determined size and the other two allowing for tighter or looser wear; each order comes with a hole punch tool, as well as instructions on how to add extra holes, should you need.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Upton Belts
My favorite Upton style is The Fifty, which I own in smooth black leather with a black buckle. It’s everything that I wanted in a belt: minimal, sleek, yet still unique-looking. Most importantly, it fits perfectly and holds beautifully to wear.
Here’s the twist: I share my Upton belt with my husband. Sure, we wear them on different holes—and he wears a suit everyday, while I’m usually in trendier clothing—but someway, somehow, The Fifty works for the both of our lifestyles and wardrobes: jeans, skirts, dresses, suiting… This is great, in theory, but it’s also created a problem when we’re both wanting to wear it—we need to call “dibs on the Upton belt” or forfeit ownership for the occasion. (Growing up without sisters, I never thought I would have to share my closet with anyone, but here I am, fighting over a belt to go with my Off-White look with my husband, who wants it for his suit.)
PHOTO: Courtesy of Upton Belts
Sure, we could easily purchase another one to have in our rotation. But there’s something extremely satisfying about being able to share this perfectly-crafted accessory, therefore doubling its cost per wear. Trendy logo belts and Insta-famous buckles can fade after a couple of seasons, but if you need something that can hold your pants up and live in your closet for years, then you need this.
