Even if you no longer need a way to tote binders and textbooks, fall’s best accessory will take you back to school. Backpacks have graduated into street style and onto the runways with sleek iterations that feel just as worthy of a boardroom as they do of the classroom. As fashion continues to follow function this year, it’s hard not to cheer on the revival of a comfortable carryall.
The rucksack, knapsack, or backpack was originally beloved by hikers and mountain climbers after it was created to carry a load in the great outdoors. JanSport is known to be responsible for making backpacks universal with school kids in the late 1960s when they released a lighter day pack. We saw a hint of it in high fashion with Prada’s petite nylon backpack in the mid nineties. But over the past couple of years, it has become a ubiquitous fashion accessory for bike lovers and has permeated the full spectrum of the fashion industry. This season, there’s a backpack for everyone.
If your day-to-day keeps you active, choose a durable canvas option from Fjällräven or Herschel with simple, functional details. The Row and 3.1 Phillip Lim have luxe designer options with supple leather that will do well at the office or out to dinner. Make a statement with bold hues and heavy metal embellishments from MCM. Vegan? Look no further than the new Brooklyn label, Freedom of Animals, for their sleek, go-with-anything Mara backpack.
