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Fanny Pack + Babywearing: What to Carry and How to Style It

Quick answer What can I fit in my hope&plum fanny pack...and will it fit me? Keep all of your essential items (think wallet, phone, chapstick, a small snack, a diaper, and a travel pack of wipes) organized and within reach. Our fanny packs come in two inclusive sizes and can be worn at the waist or as a crossbody bag.
babywearing accessories diaper bag alternative fashion and function
Shop our fanny packs

hope&plum fanny packs are handcrafted from our exclusive fabrics, spacious enough to hold your most important small items, and they come in two, inclusive sizes so that any body can wear them comfortably. Whether you choose to wear them traditionally around your waist, or as a crossbody bag, our fanny packs are the perfect babywearing accessory and compliment to your favorite hope&plum ring sling, meh dai, Sprout, or Lark! Busy parents understand the importance of having everything you need for an outing on-hand and easily accessible, but what if we told you that you can look good while doing it?! Read on for more details on sizing, our suggestions for what to pack, and even some cute inspo pics for styling your own fanny pack.

THE SHORT VERSION

  • hope&plum fanny packs are a practical and lightweight alternative to a bulky, disorganized diaper bag.
  • Less is more! Our fanny packs have enough space to hold your essentials for a quick outing or errand. 
  • hope&plum fanny packs come in two, inclusive sizes: Short (28”-39”) and Long (40”-61”).
  • Our Fanny Pack Extenders offer an additional 10” of webbing, so any body can wear our fanny packs.
  • Whether you’re wearing it around your waist, or as a crossbody bag, hope&plum fanny packs can be worn safely and comfortably while babywearing.
  • Choosing your fanny pack fabric is a fun way to celebrate your style and stay connected with babywearing, even if your babywearing days have come to an end.

Will It Actually Hold What A Diaper Bag Holds?

Truthfully, no. Our fanny packs are much smaller than the average, bulky diaper bag; but that’s precisely what makes them so practical. In this day and age, when over-consumption and internet fear-mongering feels like it’s at its peak (especially for parents!), we encourage you to take a step back and remember that sometimes less really is more. That old cliche can help us let go of feeling like we need to bring along our whole house with us whenever we step out for a quick errand or playdate. If you’re sick of searching through 17 different pockets for a pacifier, or digging for wipes in the abyss of your giant diaper bag (Are those stale goldfish? Why are my fingers sticky??) look no further than the hope&plum fanny pack! 

Dimensions 10” L x 2.5”D x 4.75” H
Features One main, zippered compartment and one flat, zippered front pocket, adjustable strap
Pack your most reached-for items. Pare down to the essentials and keep them organized and easy to access, at all times.
(Think wallet, phone, chapstick, a small snack, a diaper, and a travel pack of wipes!)
[ALT TEXT: describe what Jordan A.'s photo shows]
★★★★★ Fanny pack to the rescue! As a mom of 3 I don’t have hands to lug around a giant diaper bag. Diaper bag stays in the car and my Fanny is roomy enough to hold the essentials! A couple diapers, wipes, snacks, wallet, keys.. you name it!
Jordan A. Verified buyer Hemlock · Long

Should I Choose the Short or Long Length for My Fanny Pack?

When choosing your length, think about your style and comfort preferences. As with all hope&plum products, size inclusivity was at the forefront of our thoughts when designing our fanny packs, so we created two sizes: Short and Long.

Short 28”-39”
Long 40”-61”
If you wear your fanny pack in the traditional way (like a belt), then knowing your waist and hip measurements will help you make your decision.
If you prefer to use a fanny pack as a crossbody bag, then you will need to take your shoulder, chest, and torso measurements into account.
★★★★★ Such a diverse length !!! If you’re a size LL I recommend a LL length because you won’t be wearing it around your “true waist” and it won’t fit on your hips. The LL can fit on my hips and is able to go cross body.
Genevieve Verified buyer

What Do I Do If The Length Is Still Too Short?

Help! You just realized that:
You need extra length in the waistband
You want the extra length to be able to wear your fanny pack as a cross-body bag
You are planning to share one fanny pack between caregivers of differing sizes
Fear NOT! Our Fanny Pack Extenders are designed to add just the right amount of extra webbing (10” to be precise) so that you can wear your bag comfortably.
shop our fanny pack extenders
★★★★★ I can wear my short length fanny packs crossbody now! Functions perfectly and nobody would ever notice it’s there
Jade Verified BUyer

How Do I Wear My Fanny Pack While Babywearing?

Easy! Wear it offset and around your hips when using one of our apron-style carriers, or crossbody-style when using a ring sling. As with every accessory that our team designs, there is special thought and care put into how our fanny packs interact with your carrier while you're babywearing. Our fanny packs are made to be low-profile, versatile, adjustable, and to enhance the hands-free experience for parents. 

★★★★★ I love having a fanny pack to match my lark and sling. So cute! I’ve gotten so many compliments on it
Hannah H. Verified buyer

What If I’m Not Babywearing as Much Anymore?

We’ve got you. While it’s true that our fanny packs are often catalogued as a favorite babywearing accessory, they can also be a special way to keep a piece of your babywearing journey near to your heart, if your days of carrying your babies are coming to an end. We love seeing our non-babywearing customers celebrate their personal styles and find new, creative uses for their fanny packs!

★★★★★ These fanny packs are the absolute best! It has just the right amount of space for my wallet, keys, and snacks for the kiddos (plus some, depending on how you pack)! They are also a great way to carry forward your favorite prints to use even after done babywearing ❤️
Ashley G. Verified buyer

How Do I Style My Fanny Pack?

Whether you are meticulous about matching all of your fanny packs to your carrier collection, or you use your fanny packs as an opportunity to explore, mix patterns, and enjoy new prints, styling your hope&plum accessories and sharing favorite fabric combos is definitely one of the most fun and beloved parts of our community. If all the earlier talk about practicality and measurements has you thoroughly bored, then let’s get into the fashion of it all! Want to enhance your classic, neutrals-heavy wardrobe? We recommend a bright, solid color or a bold print fanny pack to give your jeans and white tee some visual interest. Love all things whimsy? We recommend one of our small artist created prints to pair with your favorite fantasy-inspired outfit. Need more ideas? Take a peek at our customers’ favorite fits!

We love your style!
A white, straight sized man wears his fanny pack while fishing. Venom Alexandria K. (husband)
A white, straight sized woman wears her fanny pack while babywearing in a back carry. Bloom Jenna S.
A woman wears a medical mask and carries her fanny pack crossbody. Wildflower Tasha R.
A white, straight sized woman wears her fanny pack as a belt, over her long skirt. Palm Katie

Fanny Pack FAQ

How big is the fanny pack compartment?

10” L x 2.5”D x 4.75” H. Our fanny pack has a main, zippered compartment and one flat, zippered, front pocket. 

What can I fit in my fanny pack?

The most popular items include a combination of wallet, phone, chapstick, a small snack, a diaper, and a travel pack of wipes. Our fanny pack is compact, but with enough room to pack your most reached-for small items.

Which length is right for me?

hope&plum fanny packs come in two, inclusive sizes: Short (28”-39”) and Long (40”-61”). Take into consideration how you plan to wear your fanny pack. If worn in like a belt, then you’ll need your waist and hip measurements. If worn crossbody, you will need to take your shoulder, chest, and torso measurements into account.

What if I need extra length?

Our Fanny Pack Extenders are designed to add 10” of extra webbing so that you can wear your bag comfortably.

Can I wear it crossbody?

Yes! If worn crossbody, you will need to take your shoulder, chest, and torso measurements into account. If you need extra length, our Fanny Pack Extenders are designed to add 10” of extra webbing so that you can wear your bag how you like.

Can I wear it while babywearing?

Yes! Wear your fanny pack offset and around your hips when using one of our apron-style carriers, or try crossbody-style when using a ring sling. Our fanny pack is low-profile and versatile, and made to enhance your hands-free, babywearing experience.

How do I style my hope&plum fanny pack?

Many of our customers enjoy matching their fanny packs to their carrier collection, while others use their fanny pack as an opportunity to explore and incorporate a new color or pattern. Need inspo? Visit our fanny pack page to see real customer review photos with their favorite combinations!

Ready to rock your very own hope&plum fanny pack? We’ve got you covered (literally). Find your personal style, ditch the bulky diaper bag, and explore the fun side of babywearing accessories!

Meet the Author

A headshot of a colorfully dressed BIPOC straight size woman wearing glasses and smiling at the camera next to a green plant.

Sharlyn Buckalew

Sharlyn has been babywearing since 2018. She has had experience with hope&plum carriers from the beginning and has had the privilege of seeing the inner workings of the brand from an early stage. After several years of being a stay-at-home parent, she’s back at hope&plum with her data driven mind, inspiring creativity, and helping other parents feel confident wearing their babies. When she’s not editing or troubleshooting baby carrier conundrums, you can find her dancing in the kitchen with her family, assisting in her community, or reading with a cat in her lap.

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Two women, one straight-size BIPOC and the other plus-size white, wear their children in hope&plum ergonomic baby carriers
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