Fashionable and utilitarian, the fanny pack rises again. What's behind the renaissance?

Correction & Clarification: A previous version of this article misspelled Anush Mirbegian's name

Dad-core may be having a comeback. Adam Sandler is the newest fashion icon and "it-girls" are donning chunky new-balance sneakers, oversized sweatshirts, and wait … is that … a fanny pack?

From street style to concert couture, young people are bringing a classic bag back from oblivion where it was chucked presumably sometime post-90s. After a brief heyday, the fanny pack became inextricably bound to the uncool; it evoked a 60-something-parent-disoriented-at-Disneyland kind of vibe. Not anymore though.

So, what's behind the renaissance?

Would a fanny pack by any other name be as cringy?

"I think it's cool again in a different iteration," Anush Mirbegian, a trend forecaster and the Director of Accessories for Fashion Snoops says. It's dependent on the shape, how it's worn, the material, and even what word we use to describe it. Where "fanny pack" evokes a certain campiness, "belt bag" or "cross-body bag" may feel more approachable.

The nylon zip-front, granny-cruise chic is not the fanny pack of today, she says. "To me, it's become more evolved" Mirbegian explains. She references belts with a pocket, like the one sold by designer label Gabriel for Sach, or with an attached zip or buttoned pouch like ones from designer Maryam Nassir Zadeh.

Across both men's and women's markets, the utility angle is rising, Mirbegian says, which she thinks speaks some to the gender fluidity the market might be getting more comfortable with. "I think across the board in apparel and accessories we are seeing more utility influence, as well as the influence of workwear," she shared in an email.

Mirbegian also points to the affordability of a fanny pack-style bag, especially in the designer market. "It's such a small size and silhouette that it's not a big investment for consumers," she says "If they want to wear a particular brand, it's actually an easier buy-in for them."

It could also be a call-back to the fashion of yesteryear. Mirbegian points to the resurgence of Y2K trends like the bucket hat. "These accessories really do have staying power," she says.

Just Curious for more? We've got you covered

USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "Why can't you wear white after Labor Day?" to "How do AirTags work?" to "What is my love language?" − we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer for you.