To feel awkward wearing a backpack as a grown woman?

[Nikebackpack]

Starting a new business in September, cleaning. I don't drive, so I'm considering buying this backpack to carry all my cleaning products. I just have one problem though, I always feel like a school kid when wearing a backpack I don't know why, feels so awkward🙈. Anyone here who's not a student wear a backpack instead of a normal bag?

@Nikebackpack I am 36, recently re started wearing one to lug all off the bits my 8month old may need on a day out.

I'm 29 and a healthcare assistant and I have a backpack. Al my stuff couldn't possibly fit into a normal handbag.

Are you kidding? Can fit everything I need in a backpack, my arms are free, it's the best :)

It's perfectly acceptable to wear a backpack as a grown up. Don't worry!

I absolutely adore backpacks.

I used to lug all my stuff in separate bags because I thought backpacks weren’t very stylish. So I’d carry a nice handbag with my keys, wallet phone and make up in, a laptop bag, and another bag containing anything else I needed - my lunch, my stuff for the gym, or whatever. Then I caught sight of myself in a shop window one day and realised I looked harassed, sweaty and messy carrying all these bags. Plus it was hurting my back and arms and hips, and I kept losing stuff or forgetting to pick a bag up. Switched to a backpack and I’ve never looked back!

I know what you mean OP. I like the idea of a back pack... but the straps make my boobs look huge and I hate that!! You could just brazen it out though!

Dh and I both use them every day for work. His is a black, sporty looking one; mine is a fairly expensive black leather one that can also be carried as a handbag/briefcase. Love it

@TheQueef that cat backpack is excellent 🐈

Wow surprised so many of you ladies wear a backpack on a daily basis, you're all braver than me  yes I have seen women wear backpacks, but they're all wearing those cute black small leather ones. Yes I know I'm overthinking it, fuck it I'm buying one.

@IsobelRae23 I'm just going to build my business up slowly, and start by cleaning for clients who have a Hoover/broom/mop until I can afford to drive.

I use backpacks whenever I'm out and about with my kids. I'm 29

Professional in a corporate world - loads of us use rucksacks.

Laptop, water bottles, papers (where is that paperless office I keep hearing about!), and basic stationery as we rarely have our own desks.

I'm 34 and happy carrying a rucksack if I need to.

What about a pull along cart as an alternative?

I see so many people of all ages wearing backpacks, you'll be fine!

Does anyone else find that their backpack wears out their clothes? I’ve find that the straps and the base of the backpack create wear marks on my coats, after a while. Maybe it’s the style? My last one was a Herschel and I’m thinking of buying a Roka, but I don’t want to wreck my clothes.

We have to take our laptop home from work every day (business continuity in case plane lands on office type thing). They provide a rucksack and I think nothing of using it in my mid 50s.
I also use a rucksack when I go to the gym.

I have a black north face rucksack for work. I walk to work so it's basically essential.

I then finally manned up and bought a nice leather one (though still a good size) as my "handbag" because I was just using a really cheap nasty black one as I was always on my bike.

Would a cargo bike be an option OP? You could put your name and number on it, would cut down time between clients, and would give you more room to cart mops and buckets etc about?

I have a mulberry Bayswater backpack which I wear on one shoulder .. on hols though I have one loaded up .. I do feel a bit like a hiker but it's ok .

We've got cleaners at work that use a Hoover with a battery pack that they wear in a rucksack as they vacuum. That looks slightly odd.

I've got a big one, a small black leather one, a bumbag and a wrist purse.

AwkwardSquad I do find that nylon straps cause wear under the armpits of my clothes, see if you can find a saddler who will cover or replace them in leather.

I went through a phase where I thought it was unprofessional to use a backpack for work. I lugged around my heavy bag with laptop and sometimes that meant some substantial walks. After enough sore shoulders and back pain, I bought a backpack and never looked back.

Now I look at my younger female coworkers struggling with their totes and realize all my male coworkers are using backpacks, regardless of age.

I'm in my mid 30s OP and my work bag is an Osprey back pack, fits everything I need and my laptop too.

I carry a back pack to work every day! I work in the city and loads of people wear them now. If you carry lots of stuff (book, purse, gym kit, lunch etc) it is the only way to carry stuff!

I've just started using a backpack for work again and only needed something small so I picked up a little girls one covered in unicorns and it's brilliant inside space for all I need and two outside pockets one for a water bottle and the other for my Mp3, I'm 42

@TheQueef

Is that a backpack for carrying a kitten?

I never used backpacks until I had my son.

They are so convenient, I wear them anytime to go out now. If I'm with DS, it's usually full of snacks for him, a couple of toys , as well as all my own crap.

When I was commuting I bought one of those smart/security packs and it revolutionised my life haha