A Better Hip Bag Mod

Within a week or so of making my last hip bag I was on the hunt for another purse I could modify. That first one was ok, but since it sat so high on my waist it kept getting in the way of all the long over shirts I like to wear. I was determined to make a version that hung lower on my hip and was easier to access.

Happily my new bag is more comfortable and even easier to DIY - plus I think it looks a lot better. A triple threat!

 At first glance this looks like a normal purse; you'd never know it was actually hanging from my hip!

All you need for this mod are two sets of heavy-duty snaps, a pair of purse clips (mine cost about $3 at JoAnn's), and a small purse with side straps like this:


 This is actually a little girl's purse from Limited, Too. I found it at a local thrift store for two dollars.

Cut the purse strap so you have two straps around 7 or 8 inches long each:

Now fold each strap in half and attach your anorak snaps. Then you can slip your purse clips on like so:

 

You could also just sew or rivet the straps down, but using snaps gives you the option of removing the purse clips and then wearing the bag threaded through a belt, as opposed to just hanging from the clips.

And where do you hang the clips, you ask? Why, from your belt loops, of course! I found the spacing on mine is perfect for the first two belt loops on my side.

Oh, and another tip: it turns out a Crop-A-Dial (a gadget I almost never use) is great for punching holes in heavy canvas. That saved me a lot of time and aggravation hammering in the holes for my anorak snaps.



I have to tell you, guys: I love how versatile this bag design is. Not only can you wear it from either your belt or your belt loops, you can also clip the two straps together again and carry it like a regular purse:

This is really handy for the times when we go through the bag checks at Disney.

The only other change I made was to remove the metal Limited, Too zipper pulls and replace them with an old key and vintage jewelry doo-dad:

You'll probably want to wear a belt while wearing a hip bag like this, since heavier bags will tend to drag your pants or skirt down on the side. If you don't carry much in your purse, though, or if you don't wear your pants and skirts as loose as I do, this shouldn't be an issue. 

And here's how the bag looks with a typical Jen outfit:

These are the neon white legs of a hermit blogger, my friends.

I've been using this bag almost exclusively for the past few weeks, and I can honestly say it's the most comfortable I've ever had. No more straps slipping off my shoulder, or cutting across my chest obscuring my geeky t-shirt designs! And no more back pain! (Ok, so most of you don't have that issue...) Plus the bag is literally at my fingertips while I'm walking, so it's easy to access on the fly. Am I raving? I think I'm raving. Sorry. I just really love this bag, you guys. I don't think I can ever go back to a regular purse again!


Well, I hope this inspires some more purse modifications out there! And for my next trick: perhaps something with a leg holster? :D