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In defense of fanny packs, and Matthew McConaughey's style

Fanny packs have been the butt of too many jokes, and it's no longer alright. Alright? Alright. Matthew McConaughey, we've got your back in defense of the much-maligned fashion accessory.The Oscar-winning actor was interviewed in the stands at Fenway Park on Sunday during the Red Sox game against the visiting Houston Astros. Julia Morales, a reporter who roams the stands for Astros broadcasts on C
Image: Matthew McConaughey
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 24: Actor Matthew McConaughey attends the Paramount Studios presentation during Comic-Con International 2014 at the San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)Kevin Winter / Getty Images file
Image: Matthew McConaughey
It's in the bag: Matthew McConaughey and his son Levi pose for a photo during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Houston Astros at Fenway Park in Boston on Sunday.Jared Wickerham / Today

Fanny packs have been the butt of too many jokes, and it's no longer alright. Alright? Alright. Matthew McConaughey, we've got your back in defense of the much-maligned fashion accessory.

The Oscar-winning actor was interviewed in the stands at Fenway Park on Sunday during the Red Sox game against the visiting Houston Astros. Julia Morales, a reporter who roams the stands for Astros broadcasts on Comcast SportsNet, called out McConaughey for his gear bag.

"OK, you're wearing a fanny pack, too," Morales said to McConaughey. "People didn't believe me that these were coming back in style, but you're saying they never left."

"I'm not afraid of the fanny pack," McConaughey said. "You gotta kind of put it on the side to make it look a little not as nerdy, but still, practicality wins out. I got so much gear in here that I don't want in my pockets."

McConaughey, 44, said he doesn't want to be the guy who has to run back to the car for something he forgot, and goes on to encourage Morales to wear a Texas-flag-emblazoned fanny pack which she confesses to owning. "Keep wearing it, keep wearing it," he said. "They're on the way back. Some decade from now."

WATCH: Matt and Al don fanny packs

As far as GQ is concerned, that decade is a long way off. The men's fashion mag ridiculed the accessory and said the much-talked-about McConaissance may be eclipsed by this "McConalypse." GQ recommends a tote bag thrown over the shoulder if you're really looking to lighten your pockets.

But let's not confuse today's hipper hip bag with what is traditionally considered a fanny pack — which is something creepy dudes in the '80s and '90s usually wore front-and-center rather than over the fanny. "Oh, the map of Disneyland? Let me dig that out for you." Um, no thanks.

You've likely seen travel-style bags from outfitters such as Patagonia. But check out the selection of "hip packs" from Herschel Supply Co., a Vancouver-based maker of quality backpacks and travel goods with the stated goal of making "a timeless product with fine regard for detail." Timeless, GQ.

We're not sure if McConaughey was wearing Herschel brand at the ball game. There are no bags for sale on his own Just Keep Livin' wesbsite, just that killer Alright, Alright, Alright T-shirt and other clothing. But we know for sure he wasn't wearing the style Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson sported in a throwback Instagram photo that went viral last month.

For years, McConaughey was known as the guy who ran around on the beach with no shirt on. With his ascension to serious A-lister, he's proven that he cleans up real well on the red carpet and in those Dolce & Gabbana ads.

But let's not make ol' Wooderson strip out the very style choices that make him worthy of our ongoing affection. The keys to his fashion individuality are in that pack. Along with his phone, wallet, sunglasses, lip balm, baseball tickets, spare change, bottle opener and everything else.

Kurt Schlosser might just have an old North Face hip pack worth carrying from time to time. Follow him on Google+