Rosie, is it the backpack or is it the fabric you are attracted to?
I think it's important to follow where you are lead, but also to pay attention to where it's taking you :).
I don't hate the backpack, but I have a thing for backpacks, and the hunting/military/uniform thing. I find army navy surplus stores fascinating! In moderation, and mixed with something contradictory, it can be fun.
If it's the fabric, I like the suggestion of pursuing something else by J Crew in the fabric.
If it's the backpacky thing, I think you can do better. Here's a couple of companies who do artisan type canvas-sy bags. (Clare Vivier does great all leather ones as well).
http://www.makr.com/bags-and-totes
http://seevivier.com/camp_vivier.htm
Not all backpacks are bad. i love this one I got very on sale at Barney's last summer, I think: http://www.breathe-design.com/2009/05/jas-mb.html
And Makr is making one that comes out at the end of June, I think, for summer, in different color canvases; http://www.selectism.com/news/.....-rucksack/
