I do love a backpack. The feeling of having both hands free is so liberating. So useful for riffling through the racks, unencumbered. I just can't imagine a time when I would want to divest myself of the use of both upper limbs. Why would you ? The fad for hand held, so called grab bags, or bowling bags, or great big totes weighing down the crook of your arm, utterly eludes me. It must be for the days when one doesn't want to 'get on' and that, for me, is never.
I'm not really talking about heavy duty, serious backpacks which require filling with Kendal Mint Cake and a flare but rather those which are more at home in the urban environment or, at a push, on a modest stroll up in the Dales.
I actually started looking (despite what I said about using what I had . I know ! I know ! Pathetic ) for something to use whilst sightseeing in Hanoi. I do have a serious, trekking backpack for the real walking, I'm not completely mad, but, I reasoned, Hanoi is a Capital City and its nothing short of disrespectful to the Locals to pole about as if I've just stepped down from the rice paddies. They dress smartly, so should I. Do you see my argument ? Convincing, no? So.... I started to look.
Here are the results, a smorgasbord of offerings, mainly from ASOS as they had the best selection and can't be beaten for a one stop shop .
The first which caught my eye is this Urban Originals Backpack. I'm a sucker for anything metallic and my thinking is always that it goes with so much. Its a lovely pale gold, not brassy at all and is a great Spring/Summer option. Its big enough to be useful but not cumbersome and, in the pale gold, it both looks and feels really light.
The straps can be altered to make it a sort of bucket style if you get fed up of the twin back straps. Its not leather so a price tag of £70 originally was steep but at £38 I think its a reasonable investment. Its a keeper. I'm aware that I often covet items for a life I don't lead but this will have plenty of uses. Maybe a bit too blingy for Hanoi but, the jury is out on that one.
Black Version
Inspired by the versatility of the gold Urban Originals bag I looked for a similar vibe and came across this yellow suede offering from Debenhams. The fringing is on trend and the colour beautiful but, for me a backpack needs to be able to take some stick-its a jungle in The Trinity at Sale time- so I'm not sure that I wouldn't be too worried about marking the suede. If you're so hung up, then this is a great choice.
Perhaps a little self consciously cute, or maybe its just the photo which makes it so, nevertheless, I do think this mini bag has charm and, provided you're not planning being out for long, is perfect for a few essentials.
A much more mature offering and big enough to hide a Humboult Penguin (which wouldn't be mature at all) is this zip front square backpack. It looks smart and substantial, with no hint of boho. Once the days of carrying colouring pencils, sticker books and Barbies to the airport are done, I reckon this would be a great bag to take on the plane. You'll easily get a full sized copy of 'Good Housekeeping' in that without resorting to the squint inducing airport travel copies. They are just a conspiracy between Conde Nast and Specsavers !
Moving away from the more urban look, but equally great in a different way , is this so called, Bohemian Backpack. It actually reminds me of those circular leather pouffes (is that a word which is still allowed ??/) with contrast stitching. From Morocco . You know. Anyway, more like a duffel bag with a very useful base and lots of interest in the stitching which makes it look far more luxe than the ultimate price tag.
Finally, I did order and so did see this Denim backpack. It is larger than I had wanted but its clean lines and unfussy symmetry made me want to hang on to it . Its soft, yet structured so, if you do still need to lug round a lot of kit, this would do the job well and with panache.
After all the looking a small voice (I believe its called my conscience but I don't come across her too often ) reminded me that I had undertaken to 'Wear what I've got'. Happily, I did have exactly what I needed for my Vietnam jaunt. An ancient, black, neoprene backpack from Next . That bag comes on dog walks, on holiday, to town (at a push) and will do very nicely. Was great fun looking though. Oh, and I'm still wrestling with that said voice on the matter of the gold bag .... if I'm honest !
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