I found the picture of the last time I wore a backpack and it was so long ago, you wouldn’t even recognise me. I was a child. No, really, a child. I was about twelve. I was an early adopter of the tote, even in high school. Backpacks just didn’t sit well with me. Go figure. So, it’s as much a surprise to me as it should be to anyone else that I’m embracing them once again almost three decades later in life.
Backpacks were for students right? They were for people that had to carry big text books and folders for different classes. They had pockets for pens and room for bag lunches. They came in bright colours. Some even featured favourite bands of the time. I may or may not one day admit to having a New Kids on The Block backpack. Oh the shame if that is true. Let’s move on, shall we?
How about I answer the question – why now, at nearly the age of 40, am I pursuing a backpack? First of all, let me be the first to tell you that backpacks are acceptable in the big city. I’m not sure if I could pull one off at home in the USA, in the southern states. But then again, in the southern states, we drive everywhere. So, you keep all your needless crap in the car. In London, you carry the needless crap with you everywhere, ready for any eventuality. My handbag, that I currently cart around town, comes in at an astonishing 14.5 lbs in weight on its lightest day. On my heaviest, it’s the same weight as a heavy toddler. It’s ridiculous and ridiculously bad for my ageing body. Yup, the back is getting weaker. I now complain about shoulders getting tired and knees hurting. It’s ridiculous. Just about any doctor I have seen for anything has had something to say about my handbag and the effect it is having on my general health and wellbeing. Well, doctors, I’m finally taking your advice and investing in a backpack.
Only buying a backpack wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. How do you find one that doesn’t make you look like a 15 year old headed back to school? I wanted something chic. I wanted a backpack designed for a woman, not a little girl. These were the twelve that made the top of pile. I must have looked at over 1,000 backpacks and ordered and returned more than I care to admit. So let’s just say I’ve done my research and my credit card is carrying the burden for me at this moment. You’ll see from the pic above, I’ve given notes on certain ones. Here’s a link to all twelve (please note some are affiliate links).
- Brown Croc Backpack
- Eyes Backpack
- Tote Backpack
- Padded Shoulders Backpack
- Faux Snakeskin Backpack
- The Splurge Backpack
- Faux Black Croc Backpack
- Suede Backpack
- Flap Top Backpack
- Black Croc Backpack (a great mid level purchase)
- Diaper Bag Backpack
- Kilim Bag (on epic sale at the moment)
