Sparkles and Shoes

A Fashion, Travel, and Lifestyle Blog

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
  • Fashion
    • My Style
      • Spring Style
      • Summer Style
      • Fall Style
      • Winter Style
    • Really Love My …
    • Shop My Instagram
    • Style Icons
    • Trending
  • Travel
    • Africa
      • Egypt
      • Kenya
      • Morocco
      • Southern Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia
      • Indonesia
      • Qatar
      • Russia
      • Singapore
      • Turkey
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Croatia
      • Cyprus
      • Czech Republic
      • Denmark
      • England
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Monaco
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Poland
      • Portugal
      • Romania
      • Russia
      • Scotland
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Turkey
      • Vatican City
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Caribbean
      • Central America
      • US: East Coast
      • US: West Coast
    • South America
  • Lily Harper
  • Favorites
    • Beauty
    • Delicious Eats
    • London
    • My Wedding
    • Sparkle Sessions

Forgot Back to School, Welcome Chic Backpacks

09/22/20 | Fashion and Style, Madewell, Nordstrom, Shopbop, Trending

When I was in school I always opted for the biggest backpack – give me all the pockets and space.  When I brought my loyal, trusty North Face backpack to school one friend joked it was my clown backpack as it just kept going and going. Well I still have that back and it was one of my most used gifts – thanks dad!   Then when I earned my degree I was anti backpack for many years as I thought if I went to double straps my bag would be too functional to be fashionable, but I am slowly being converted.  Though the tipping point was likely when my shoulder started acting up and I had business day trips to places like Atlanta.  Between the commute, airport trek, journey to the client office, likely lunch, and then return journey my shoulder would be DONE by the end of the day. I then got this cute option in black which fit everything I needed at the time including fitting a laptop and extra pair of shoes. I still have it but the reason it is not great? It does not fit my DSLR. Sure I don’t need a laptop on my days out but due to the box shape the leather buckles with the camera and I really don’t want to ruin it. 

hus I am looking for the high end version of this sports backpack I bought on a whim this summer and that has been great for all of our hikes . Sure, I could use it touring around Italy (on the days that aren’t museums) but it is not cute.  Thus, I am looking combination of practical and fashionable – I need it to be big enough and comfortable but I do not need features like key clips, laptop pockets and air mesh straps.  There are some super crazy high end ones (if you are looking to spend over $1,000 I would recommend this Harper’s Bazaar round up) but here are my more reasonable picks for chic backpacks that are not just for the kids anymore: 

Sparkles and Shoes - Chic and Trendy Backpacks for Fall 2020

1 | Mali + Lili Isabel Vegan Leather Backpack in White
2 | The Isabel Vegan Leather Backpack in Taupe
3 | Mansur Gavriel Mini Backpack in Cammello / Rosa
4 | Béis Daytripper Backpack in Beige

5 |  Treasure & Bond Quinn Leather Backpack in Olive Grove
6 | Tory Burch Gemini Link Canvas Backpack in Black Gemini Link
7 | Tumi Voyager Carson Nylon Backpack in Blackberry

8  | Cuyana Pebbled Leather Backpack
9 | Maje M Leather Backpack with Chain
10 | Longchamp Le Pliage Leather Backpack

 

And then some honorable mentions include the The Lorimer Backpack in True Black from Madewell, and then Treasure & Bond  Delaney Drawstring Leather Backpack, and the Matt and Nan Vintage Bremen Backpack in Olive .I am not sure any of these are going to make you fully rethink your go to purse but maybe for a day of touring your next trip! Which backpack would you pick out? Or feel free to drop a link to your favorite in the comments if it is not Listed above!

 

Signature

Subscribe

« Ten Ways To Use Your Engagement Photos
A Week at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian »

Related Posts

  • Happy Father's Day Card EtsyGift Ideas for Father’s Day
  • Olivia Palermo at Nina Ricci in Merlot WineCurrently Trending: Merlot Wine
  • Nordstrom Anniversary Sale - Steve Madden 'Slithur' Sandal in Black Nubuck LeatherNew Shoes for the Win
  • Sequin Blazer -Banana Republic BR Monogram Black Sequin BlazerSequin Blazers at Every Price

Comments

  1. Jeannie says

    September 25, 2020 at 7:22 am

    The black one with fringe is so edgy. I need to get my roommate a birthday gift and I think that this will be perfect.

    Nice round up of different colors and shapes. Thanks.

  2. Nan says

    September 23, 2020 at 4:11 pm

    Great color selectors.

    Tired of the basic black

  3. Shelly says

    September 23, 2020 at 12:34 pm

    There are so many cute options here.

    I resisted a back pack for a long time thinking it was so dorky but a few time when traveling I wished I had my hands free and that my purse didn’t keep getting in the way or feeling heavy so I got one. Clearly not as stylish as the ones you are showing so I will have to take a close look at these.

    Hands free is the way to go for me when I am on the go.

  4. Sadie says

    September 23, 2020 at 8:47 am

    Forget the school kids these look great for me. I’m going have to check them out. Thank you.

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog founded in 2012.  After six years of living in London I am back in New York with my husband and two littles! 

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search

Newsletter

WHERE I SHOP

Amazon

Anthropologie

J. Crew

Minted 

Sephora

Target

Walmart

Zappos

Archives

  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012

Fine Print

Sparkles and Shoes is a part of several affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links on this site or any related social media platforms (including Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest), I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase. All opinions are my own.

© Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes, 2012-2022 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Get the latest

Receive Sparkles and Shoes right to your inbox!

Connect with me

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2025 · Designed by High Note Designs, LLC

Copyright © 2025 · Tasteful Theme on Genesis Framework