Um, this will be a NO-GO for me …. I was still in grade school when these were all the rage & even at a young age, I knew it was a don’t….

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
*ahem* Somehow the phrase “dressy backpack” just seems wrong.

I had a Winnie The Pooh mini backpack when I was a preteen (in the late 90s). I hope clothing with childrens cartoon characters on it doesn’t make a comeback next.

Like you, I found the mini backpacks awkward to use, especially with a coat and having to remove them in the car. A bag that hangs on the shoulder or across the chest seems a better hands-free choice

Backpacks are a pickpockets dream. I passed on it once and I will pass on it again.

I used to have one, and even though I never found it stylish, it was a lot more comfortable for me than any other type of bag! At the time I also walked to work and everywhere else, but I could see it being cumbersome in the car. The downside – you could see the spots where it rubbed against my coat. I might give it a try as a “going to a playground” bag, since it’s hands free.

I remember these were so popular when I was in high school and college even among people who were not in school. Since I was a student and had to carry books around all the time I had to use a backpack–a real, full size one. I never adopted the “dressy” mini backpack trend because outside of school hours I didn’t want to look like a student, plus I find strapping on a backpack is a lot of unnecessary effort and you have the added bother of having to take it off to access your stuff. I tended to carry even my big school backpack like a shoulder bag, using just one strap because it was more convenient. So I’ll be passing on this trend, just like I did in the 90’s.

Hmm, I don’t really like the look the look of backpacks, not even the dressy small ones. But I might consider getting a stylish one if I had to carry my laptop on the daily bases, since the weight is distributed better in those. Something like this:

http://www.moonsus.com/index.c.....e=backpack

I’ll go against the flow on this one: I can’t wait! This is a great practical hands-free option for those of us with young children.

I have to say I like them too, for certain activities where you need to carry a few items but also need to have your hands free. Sometimes the over-the-shoulder bags, even though they provide the hands free option, do hurt my shoulder and neck.

I finally gave away to charity the last mini backpack I had, which I had been keeping for archival purposes, just a few weeks ago. Maybe some used clothing store shopper will find it in time for this trend It was so ugly and tacky.

I am wondering what sort of handbag is “in” right now as I could use a new everyday one that is big enough to tote diapers and other baby things in.

I still have my black nylon Versace backpack – how 90s is that??

Hee, I still have my Guess backpack (smaller than the one pictured). I never enjoyed it, and didn’t find it convenient at all. I was thinking about giving it to my niece.

I’m with you, Angie: Never saw the appeal, and will likely resist the trend a second time.

I love backpacks. Where I work, though, they have banned them as “homeland security hazards.” Yes. This is patently ridiculous. They say terrorists might put bombs in backpacks. Like they wouldn’t put a bomb in a purse.

I told our security guy when he challenged me as I came into the building last fall, “This is my purse.” He responded: “You can call it a purse but it’s a backpack and they are not allowed.” Soooo, I cannot bring an albeit old Coach backpack to the office but could carry in a tote bag the size of a Honda.

Not a fan – then or now. For handsfree occasions where backpacks are eminently practical – such as bushwalking – I don’t think dressy types of backpacks are suitable. Sturdy, practical backpacks I can see the point of, but not these flimsy little things!!

when these were all the rage in the 90’s, i remember thinking, “why would i want to look like everybody else?”

a backpack is for backpacking, yet a purse is something i feel good about everytime i look at it. i’m looking forward to a highly discounted new one in february. i’m eyeing this one: http://www.elaineturner.com/fuchsia-21.

the price has to drop further though.

I don’t think I’d go for this mini version as a handbag, but only because I daily use a bigger backpack (luggage size) as my nappy (diaper) bag. As Becky said, the whole handsfree thing is very handy with kids. But with about 3 years of wearing it left, I think this trend will be over before I am purchasing normal handbags

I do not feel strongly either way about this. It is annoying to have to wiggle out of it every time you want to pay for a cup of coffee (or tea), or get into a car, but it’s also nice to not have to constantly yank it onto your shoulder and not have the weight all on one side. I think for most women, a stylish sling is probably the better option, but those aren’t the best option for the well endowed, so this is a reasonable alternative. I find all purses flawed on some level. Shoulder bags never stay on my shoulder. Slings don’t work for big boobs. Messenger bags strain my back and shoulders. Clutches are a nuisance on many levels. I don’t think the lack of convenience is unique to backpack purses.

I have never been a fan of this fashion. I have always felt it looked a little childish no matter how expensive the pack was.

DEAR GOD NO!!

i noticed this on the street the other day, and a piece of my soul died.

I’m glad to know that there might be some good ones coming along. I find them incredibly useful and better for the back than a messenger bag…but it’s a hard item to get “right”, to not look silly and to actually be comfortable to wear, not all of them are. The ones you posted are very attractive, Angie. I’ve been interested in getting a slightly larger one to hold a small laptop, but I haven’t found the right one yet. Thanks for the info!

I have a black Kate Spade back pack that I bought in a thrift store for mere dollars. I do wear it and find it very useful since I have a long history of back problems. I wear it when we are going on one of our long weekend walks – where the intent is to get exercise and fresh air – but we meander and drop in and out of places along the way so I don’t want to be wearing “gear.”

I almost brought it to Paris, but Angie talked me out of it (pickpockets on the metro). In retrospect, it would’ve been fine on the metro (just turn it around forward), and good for my back, since we walked everywhere all day long. However, it wasn’t big enough to cram everything into it, like the lightweight enormous tote I took…. which I sometimes would sling on to my back – like a backpack – when my back started to complain.

Hey, if this means normal-sized, stylish backpacks are coming on the market, I am all for it. Backpacks are much better for my back than hauling all the stuff I need for class on one shoulder all day, but what I have right now is kind of battered and embarrassing.

these are awful…i don’t care who is making them! i’ll stick with an oversized hobo.

While I abhor the backpack as a purse, I am seriously considering purchasing a laptop backpack for travel. I have a few stylish totes, but hauling them around for hours kills my shoulder and I hate jamming them under the airplane seat leaving me with no legroom. I have a wonderful rolling laptop case, but I often have to check it on smaller flights I take for business. Who wants to gate check a laptop?

My husband got a High Sierra number and swears by it. I am considering something all black in an attempt for chic-ness. Hmm, that Longchamp number doesn’t look so bad after all! But again, only for travel.

Cheers,

Shari

p.s. yYu’ll notice those leather backpack purses aways have bids on them on ebay!

no no no no :p The most horrible looking and style suicide bag of all times for me :p

…Plus it takes ages to retrieve contents from it!

We have a few takers for the new “it” bag look. Interesting.

I think these backpacks are to be used in a dressy sense – to replace your dressy handbag. A school backpack is a completely different animal in my opinion.

They are a hands free option for sure, but you can’t beat the convenience of a sling or messenger bag for the same reason. But messengers and slings also have their drawbacks. They give me neck and shoulder ache.

I will definitely not be going for the revived mini backpack trend. I’m not a fan of the look, nor do I find the option comfortable or convenient. But for those of you that do, I hope you find a style you love.

[...] all. And, maybe it’s because ’90s style seems to be creeping up everywhere lately (Mini backpacks? Seriously?), but these 20-eye, red ones also look awfully cute to me. What goes around, comes [...]