The Backpack's Back
My first exposure to the backpack purse was in the early 90's--the Clueless era, if you will. I remember having a red tartan and black velvet mini backpack, probably from the Limited Too. Come to think of it, it would probably be perfectly on point with today's punk -inspired accessories. Wonder what happened to that thing. I digress.
A while ago I saw the above image of one of my favorite style icons, Mira Duma (over-accessorized AND petite!) and I knew the backpack was back in a major way. Mira's always on the cutting edge of fashion--it's easy to be when the top designers are giving you their newest and best before they're even available to the public. I wasn't sure if I was ready for my return to the backpack, but after some time to digest it I think I can go there.
We're seeing designer backpacks from The Row, Moschino, and Phillip Lim to name a few. Most recently, on Paris Fashion Week's Chanel Runway, Mr. Lagerfeld gave us a whole new interpretation of back-to-school chic and showed us the punk trend is here to stay from spray painted CC's to chain details. Can you imagine an ultra-chic (and spoiled) high school freshman toting around her biology book in one of these? I mean...
The truth is, I'm not sure how practical the backpack purse is for New Yorkers, where the pick-pocketting is rampant. We've gone from the lucite clutch where we displayed all of our belongings to potential thieves to the backpack purse where we now give them easy access to them. Maybe I'll wear an empty pack around--for trend's sake. Because I'm not sure about the longevity of this backpack moment, I think I'll start by test-driving this one from ASOS before I invest in a vintage Chanel masterpiece. (No offense, ASOS, I love you and your fast-fashion forever.)
