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Would You Wear Mar 25, 2008 @ 1:54pm

“I mean, I like my Skechers, but I love my Prada backpack”

We haven’t considered wearing a backpack as a fashion statement since Dionne in Clueless, but since we’ve been fashion traveling to the 90’s lately, we find ourselves pondering them once again.

We know what the backpack means to many - Little kids, fifth grade field trips to Six Flags, 90210; you get the drift.

But we’ve been thinking they’d be kind of cute on the right person, as part of the right spring ensemble. Couldn’t you see a slouchy black patent version in place of the standard clutch? And bonus - we could actually bring more than just a credit card and lip gloss at night.

Kanye West proclaimed himself the first guy “with a Benz and a backpack,” (and we could totally see one hanging off Chloe Sevigny’s arm, though we’re not sure if that’s a good thing for us), and a friend of ours recently bought a red and black buffalo plaid backpack to sport around the city. Maybe not the teddy bear sac we handed down to our little cousin, and not quite the Louis Vuitton minis of Canal Street, but something in between could miraculously work…?

Though we’re still not completely sold on the look, backpacks are more practical than lugging around a hardware cluttered Marc Jacobs - and there is that whole thing about looking good if you feel good, right?

So what do you think - to two strap? Or not to two strap?

—JAZZI McGILBERT

« Love is Blind. We Are Not. Land of the Free.

Fashionista Main

posted by iloveyou

Mar 25, 2008 2:14PM

love the 10 things i hate about you quote

posted by Jacqueminette

Mar 25, 2008 2:16PM

Are you kidding?

I loathe backpacks to the point where I'm trying to find a way to travel for a month in Azerbaijan without one.

I am reminded of John Favreau's great spiel in Swingers: "I spend half the night talking to some girl who's looking around the room to see if there's somebody else who's more important she should be talking to. And it's like I'm supposed to be all happy 'cause she's wearing a backpack, you know?"

posted by Liz

Mar 25, 2008 2:19PM

While at urban outfitters yesterday, I found myself in front of the sales bin wondering if it was too soon to go back to a back pack.

They had lovely surplus looking packs in camel and black with leather detailing heading out the door for $19.99. Although they were super cute, I decided that I rocked it too hard back in the day.

Living without one...for now.

posted by guest

Mar 25, 2008 2:22PM

N-O. No. Though my aversion stems less from a fashion standpoint (if you want to rock it, rock it), and more from a functionality standpoint. Sure you get more room than, say, a clutch, but backpacks sit on your back and thus, for me anyway, present a security issue. Call me paranoid, but I live in a fairly large city and am on foot much of the time (or on trains/buses), and don't like having all my belongings strapped to my back for anyone to nab. I like the security of a purse hanging on my shoulder, under my arm. Plus when you need to grab your phone, a tissue, a pen, etc, it's right there -- you don't have to do any weird finagling to access what you need, as you would with a backpack. But even from a fashion standpoint... I don't think I'd want to do it.

posted by guest

Mar 25, 2008 2:34PM

if you have any sort of a booty, or just a short torso, the backpack will bounce off your bottom every time you walk and it looks silly. heehee! I think that's most of us...

posted by Softel

Mar 25, 2008 2:38PM

No no no no to backpacks! They definitely present a security issue as 2:22 mentioned, as well as the problem of where to put your cell phone, wallet.. etc (unless you REALLY want to take it off, put it down, unzip it.... look for it... every time). And backpacks have never looked professional... I'm reminded of people who walk to work with. in their sneakers. and white socks. and dress pants (a part of me is dying just as I type these words)... No matter how small n stylish, there is always an element of JanSport that can't be shaken

posted by guest

Mar 25, 2008 2:48PM

i'm searching high and low for the perfect backpack!
im a guy in boston and the style here is a little more subversive than the high fashion of nyc (barring the village etc) and the lowbrow of l.a.
backpacks, while really only brought out in the colder months, are no longer taboo.
plus - downtown boston is an incredibly safe place so i would never be worried about people nabbing stuff out of my bag - possibly in downtown crossing but who ever goes there past 9pm anyways besides emerson students searching for dive bars?

so in conclusion to this drawn out, long winded comment, i think in the right context backpacks are a phenomenal idea.

posted by guest

Mar 25, 2008 3:00PM

Backbacks could be a yes if done properly!!!

Alice Roi has adorable mini backpacks. I recommend them to all...

Her backpacks are done properly if you ask me!

posted by elle

Mar 25, 2008 3:57PM

hmm....10 things? that's different...

posted by guest

Mar 25, 2008 3:58PM

I have been wearing my awesome silver Spice Girls mini backpack from the 90s again lately. It's such a refreshing change from my giant handbag.

posted by karmacamilleon

Mar 25, 2008 5:28PM

I have a Ben Sherman mini-backpack that I absolutely adore. However, I usually only wear it while I'm cycling around town, or when my classroom goes on a field trip (I work with special ed). I think it's really all about context.

posted by hipstersdontlie

Mar 25, 2008 5:29PM

I only wear Prada fanny packs.

posted by Ginge

Mar 25, 2008 7:11PM

The first thing that comes to mind (probably because of the bunny-shaped Stella pictured) is Charlize Theron's character on Arrested Development. She played a developmentally-challenged woman who acted and dressed like her pre-k/k students (complete with the stuffed animal backpack).

I'm in college right now and the only time I use my backpack is if I have to carry a lot of books (or one Norton Anthology) or carrt books AND my laptop.

I used to know this one girl (college-aged) who had a really cute hot pink mini Jansport; it was just a shrunken version of the regular and it had this great simplicity about it. It could fit maybe a notebook and other smaller things. It was adorable and so was she.

The bonus of a backpack, of course, is that it distributes the weight equally on both shoulders. One of my mom's shoulders is lower than the other from carrying her bookbag around as a student. It's that whole scoliosis thing they warned us about as kids.

posted by chessy

Mar 25, 2008 7:25PM

i use a navy american apparel back pack for class. i hadn't carried a backpack since i was about 13. for the first 3 years of college i toted my laptop and textbooks around in a variety of massive handbags. but the aa one is simple and cute (in a wholesome tomboyish way) and i don't fear for my little laptop when i ride my bike around. however, there are some outfits i could never wear it with! (heels for example)

posted by guest

Mar 25, 2008 8:17PM

I have been wishing and hoping for backpacks to somehow become socially acceptable. This is mainly due to the amount of things I carry in my handbag which has caused increasing back and shoulder problems on the right side of my body. Ouch. I still think it's a little too early... but hopefully the backpack can build up to a point where I won't be ridiculed. Also, fat people should NEVER wear backpacks.

posted by Fassion

Mar 25, 2008 9:14PM

NOT! I'll stick with my nylon Prada cross-body bag. Hands free, lightweight, can't overstuff it and good looking. Always use for travel.

posted by poseur

Mar 26, 2008 12:15AM

i am having back problems because i am carrying around my laptop in my handbag. i had constant pain for about 2 weeks even after switching to a backpack. till i get a lighter laptop, i am stuck with the backpack.

posted by vicki

Mar 26, 2008 2:18AM

I love my backpack! I use to carry my old LAMB lesportsac bag all the time and my shoulders started to get shooting pains. My doctor suggested I get a backpack for school and I wanted to stab him! I eventually gave in because I couldn't take the pain in my shoulders anymore. I bought a cute pink plaid jansport!

posted by guest

Mar 26, 2008 8:58AM

absolutely not. i refuse to wear a backpack. it may be one of the few things even an olsen twin couldn't pull off. give me the hardware ridden marc jacobs anyday.

posted by guest

Mar 26, 2008 5:19PM

I'm a senior in high school and after three years of using tote bags, big purses, etc to lug around all my books, I had a massive knot in the shoulder I rested my bag on. I went to the chiropractor and she basically made me use a backpack. So I got a cute AA one...it's perfect for school but I'm not sure I'd use it outside of that context, for security reasons. Plus stores totally think you're a shoplifter if you try and shop with one on.

posted by Mode Monitor

Mar 28, 2008 12:42AM

As long as the backpacks are the sleek, Prada type, it's ok. Those are certainly better than all the clunky, hardware-laden bags we've had around for the last couple of years. What's not OK, especially for a woman, are the bulky, sportwear-type bags that students wear (unless you're a student). They instantly "uglify" and de-feminize any outfit.

posted by Mode Monitor

Mar 28, 2008 12:46AM

Backpacks are OK if they're the sleek, Prada-type variety. They are certainly better looking than all the tacky, hardware-laden bags we've had of late. What's not OK, unless you're a student, are those bulky, sportswear-type bags. They instantly "uglify" any outfit.