Easy DIY Tutorial to Transform Your Micro Bag into a Chic Belted Bag for Your Waist

There are so many exciting bag trends this season that I wanted to focus on one that would be perfect for both travellers and fashion lovers alike – the belt bag (otherwise known as the fanny pack) trend that goes around the waist. This style is one that some of you might not have at the top of your purchase list, but it has made a huge comeback. As a traveler, having a bag that is always within sight and close to your body is actually really practical, especially those who have to pack often and want to travel light.I love the look of luxury fanny packs worn around the waist or across the body in a modern way, but like many of you, there are so many other purchases and ways you’d like to spend your money. I decided to take a bag from my own closet and give it a facelift. I love doing small updates because others won’t be carrying the same thing and it makes your beloved items more unique.

I purchased this bag at the Gucci boutique inside Seoul International Airport while waiting for my flight back to Japan when I lived there many years ago. I decided to make some minor changes to the bag so that it could be worn as a fanny pack or converted back to its original form. Many of you can update your bags and do this with a small/micro bag, as well.

I was back in Los Angeles walking towards Santa Monica Beach and only packed a lipstick, cash and some cards – perfect for a day out. The bag strap was too long to wear around the waist once and too short to wrap around twice. I knew I wanted it around the waist, so I made some adjustments.

How to Update and Transform Your Bag to Create the Perfect Waist Belted Bag

The DIY adjustments I share below works on micro or min bags with a belted strap that can open up. This just requires an old piece of jewelry (necklace or anklet), an additional clasp off a similar piece of jewelry and a pliers. If you do not have a clasp, you can go to any craft store or amazon to get large clasps. I selected a gold anklet with hardware that matched my micro monogram Gucci bag.1) To measure the perfect length around your waist, get your bag and open up the bag strap.
2) Attach the clasp end of your piece of jewelry onto the metal belt portion opening of your bag strap.
3) Proceed to wrap the entire bag around the desired area of your waist so that you end up at one of the holes on the belt strap of your bag. It’s best to just reach the last hole of the bag. My anklet was too long, so I took pliers and removed 2 links off of it.
4) Then I proceeded to add a clasp to the other end of the anklet. This allows you to hook it in and out of the belt hole. If you don’t have a second clasp (from a second necklace) than opening the link with pliers and hooking the anklet/necklace to the desired hole is fine.
5) Once you do this, you can just use the clasp to open and close the waist fanny pack to hook onto the metal opening of the belt of the bag.

I love the update on the bag, especially since monogram and logo trend has made its return. It’s a mini bag I now take with me on trips since it’s so small and fits in every bag I take with me.

I hope you enjoyed the post. If this inspires you to update one of your bags, please tag me on Instagram or in your post and let me know. I’d love to see and share the look.

SHOP THE LOOK

Playsuit by Runaway the Label available here. I shared it over Instastories when it went on sale, so make sure to follow me on Instagram and to stay up to date on great finds.

Do you own a belt bag? Do you plan on purchasing or updating any of your own bags? I’d love to hear below.

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Xo,

Miki