One of the Spring Season's hottest accessories are the new body packs! And I know you're probably doing what I did, groaning and thinking "Not another fanny pack?!" Not quite!! While the fanny packs bring back memories from the 80's, the new body packs are sleeker, slimmer and much cooler than the fanny packs of yesteryear!!

The body packs first made their showing on the designer runways for Spring 1999. They were shown in every fabric, style, color, etc., known to man or woman. Some of the best looking ones came from Louis Vuitton, Prada and Gucci. While most of us don't have a budget to allow those kinds of splurges, you can check out your local mall for some of the same styles at much more reasonable price tags!

The body packs came in a wide variety of styles to suit just about every body type and personal taste imaginable. While some of the styles and shapes shown weren't functional to the every day person's life, some were very chic and stylish. Many of the more wearable designs drape across the body or attach around the waist. Again, don't scream "Fanny Pack!" when I tell you that they are worn around the waist. These new styles are very sleek are meant to hold a few key items such as keys, money and maybe a lipstick and compact. They are very slim and fit close to the body. Some styles that I found more unwearable were the body packs that fit over the derriere and the ones that attach to the thigh. Now, honestly, the one over the derriere just screams, "Pick my pocket!" and the one that attaches to the thigh would be hugely uncomfortable. Not only would it make one of your thigh look heavy and awkward, you'd be pulling it up constantly or else you end up with it around your ankle.

And unlike the fanny packs, the body packs are made to be worn just about anywhere. Fanny packs originated for athletes who needed to take their keys, etc. with them while they worked out. Due to their functional and hands off nature, they eventually filtered down to everyone else and they could be seen around the waistlines of just about half the people at your local mall. And most were made of a plain leather or nylon and were rather bulky.

Body packs are very slim and come in leather as well as silk, satin and many luxurious fabrics as well as nylon. Due to their sleek, slim look, they are designed to be worn with more casual to semi-casual clothing. The more luxurious and expensive fabric body packs could be worn with more formal attire, but look twice in the mirror and ask for someone else's opinion beforehand. Body packs are still sporty looking accessories and you want to make sure that it matches the rest of your outfit. If in doubt, switch to a handbag.

So, if you're tired of lugging around a heavy purse or handbag, yet you still want a chic and up to date way to carry your keys, wallet, etc., check into a body pack!