Imagine my surprise when I started researching the Spring/Summer trends this year, only to find that fanny packs are back in style. And not only that, they’ve already been spotted on some of the most fashionable stars. You know what that means – it’s just a matter of time until they’re brought to the North American mass market. So I ask: Will you be donning your pack this Spring?

Fanny packs were a huge accessory in the 80’s and 90’s and due to their practicality and function will probably forever be associated with the word “tourist”. Gucci’s 2 pocket Belt Bag (think flat fanny pack) became a must-have item after Sarah Jessica Parker’s character Carrie Bradshaw sported one on Sex and the City and has been a big seller for the company ever since.

More recently, Rihanna has been seen wearing the newest Louis Vuitton version and both Blake Lively and Christina Aguilera have been photographed in Alexander Wang’s Max Fanny Pack. But it’s not just for the ladies. Fanny packs have been spotted (in one form or another) on many of the Spring/Summer 2010 runways in both the women’s and the men’s collections.

This whole trend is stirring up quite a debate in the media and on the internet as well. Some people are thrilled with the comeback. Others are vehemently opposed to it and believe that it’s a fashion disaster – once a faux pas, always a faux pas.

About four years ago on a trip to Disneyland with my kids, I saw some moms walking around with their Gucci 2 pocket Belt Bags. Unlike me, their shoulders weren’t aching from carrying around a bulky purse, their hands were free and they had a cute little accessory around their hips.

I dragged my husband and kids to the South Coast Plaza to get my hands on one and I’ll be honest with you – it was one of best things I ever bought. I loved it. I still do. I wear it when I go for a walk or when I’m outside with the kids (but still need to take my phone and keys) or when I’m running out to the gym and don’t want to carry a huge bag.

So am I a fashion geek? Am I out of style? Or back in again? Does it really even matter? The truth is I love my fanny pack and I’m not afraid to admit it! And like any trend, shouldn’t we adopt it and make it our own only because we love it? Why would we even bother wearing a trend that we didn’t like only because it was trendy?

There’s nothing worse than seeing someone who is obviously uncomfortable in what they’re wearing and there’s nothing better than seeing someone confidently wearing something that they love - whether it’s considered stylish or not.

So whether or not you choose the fanny pack this year is, of course, totally up to you. But if you do, wear it with style, confidence and a little attitude. I’ll be right there with you.