Karlie Kloss sporting her sack of choice; Image: Melodie Jeng/Getty Images
Backpacks are back. They’re back in a miniature, fuzzy, Cher Horowitz kind of way (yet another trend that’s sprung out of the 90s resurgence) and they’re back in a nylon, utilitarian, L.L.Bean catalog way. That said, the current iterations are a lot chicer than they used to be.
A Fendi backpack mirroring our feelings about summer’s end; Image: Imaxtree
After all, the recent renaissance of the chiropractor-approved accessory was brought upon us by two fashion greats: Fendi Creative Director (for the purposes of this article) Karl Lagerfeld and Burberry Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey. At the former’s Fall 2016 menswear showing, anthropomorphized backpacks walked the runway, making eyes at the crowd. And their intriguing stare did not go unreturned. They were and are the new monsters.
For only $1,250, Burberry’s medium rucksack in technical nylon and leather could be yours; Image: Imaxtree
It was the same “we’ve got to have it” clamoring we witnessed one season prior at Burberry’s Spring 2016 show. The trenchcoat titan sent its muses down the runway sporting our generation’s answer to the Prada nylon backpack (bigger because we’ve got laptops to carry; monogrammed since we’re all about self-branding) — and the fashion world lost its damn mind. To top it off, Burberry paired its new signature bag with everything from tanks and trousers to dainty lace cocktail dresses, reminding us all that backpacks can go with literally everything.
A thought that’s especially comforting given that many of us are about to re-immerse ourselves in our studies now that class registration is upon us or, speaking for those already accredited and salaried, the lazy, hazy days of summer Fridays and half the office being out on vacation at any given moment are coming to an end. No matter our age and occupation, we’ve all got stuff to schlep around.
Now that we’re all grown up and not beholden to our parents’ “you’re wearing the same backpack till the straps fall off” rule, we can really have fun with the trend — amass the backpack-cum-workbag rotation we dreamed of, except in chicer materials, silhouettes and styles than we once imagined. Whether you’re down to splurge on one knapsack you’ll wear at nearly every life event until you retire or are starting a collection to be alternated based on the day’s destinations and laptop-lugging needs, we’ve got your back. Click through the slideshow to shop our picks for the best backpacks for back to school and beyond.
Anya Hindmarch Rainbow Leather Backpack, $664 at Matches Fashion
Zara Rigid Backpack, $39.90 at Zara
Henri Bendel Zip Around Packable Backpack, $48 at Henri Bendel
Genuine People Classic Leather Backpack, $299 at Genuine People
WANT Les Essentiels Kastrup Backpack, $495 at Opening Ceremony
Everlane The Modern Snap Backpack, $68 at Everlane
Auxiliary De Bray Backpack, $325 at Aritzia
Adidas by Stella McCartney Sports Bag, $140 at Shopbop
Matt & Nat Vignelli Backpack, $155 at Urban Outfitters
Marc Jacobs Arrow Print Biker Backpack, $112.50 at Marc Jacobs
Loeffler Randall Suede Backpack, $395 at Net-a-Porter
Zara Backpack With Zip, $59.90 at Zara
Clare V. Agnes Backpack, $249.50 at Shopbop
Ralph Lauren Pieced Leather Backpack, $169.99 at Ralph Lauren
Rag & Bone Walker Drawstring Backpack, $395 at Barneys
côte&ciel Isar Rucksack Eco Yarn, $254 at Need Supply Co.
Chloe Stanyon Rolltop Backpack, $288 at Wolf & Badger
Mansur Gavriel Leather Mini Backpack, $795 at SSENSE
BAGGU Backpack, $38 at Need Supply Co.
Coach Pebbled Leather Patch Backpack, $550 at Saks
Mi-Pac Gold Backpack, $67.59 at Mi-Pac
ASOS Leather Boxy Backpack, $89 at ASOS
Fendi Furry Logo Nylon Backpack, $976 at Matches Fashion
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