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?

Backpacks are in. Have been for a while - it's a very impractical and dangerous 2000s preoccupation with backpacks being for children.

It's a cat transporter Family it unzips and pops out like a playpen.
Even old lady cat, with the privacy but up.

I always use a backpack! It's crammed full of nappies, toddler snacks, toys, drinks etc. And I have my hands free to deal with the baby and toddler combo! Although it is a treat when I'm out by myself and can crack out my lovely handbags instead.

It's a cat transporter Family it unzips and pops out like a playpen.

Of course it’s a cat transporter! Listen to me with my “backpack for a kitten”. What am I like?

Age 40. Mine is a berghaus outdoorsy one. Take walking or to the park. Or sightseeing.

I wear a backpack. I don't drive and can't fit everything I need for work in a handbag.

the cats bloody love being nosey and I no longer have dignity or shame it's ace, only £20 too!

I've just come back from holiday and had serious backpack envy. My cross body bag just doesn't cut it. Im definitely getting one next time I go away.

Almost everyone I work without including our chief exec and COO have backpacks for work, new starters sometimes carry a laptop bag until they start to get the neck, back and shoulder aches! I work for a government department. I also live very near a mainline station into London and see men and women of all ages commuting, the vast majority have backpacks.

They're very popular op but they do look awful and take up too much space in shops and on public transport. Similar to many modern trends like texting+ walking, no-headphones music and driving while phoning, they're not great for other people around you but that doesn't seem to stop anyone.

I have used a backpack since commuting in London, i don't anymore but still use a backpack. I HATE handbags, so impractical, I want my laptop and everything else comfortably on my back, not prancing around on one shoulder. I think most professional women I know use a backpack.

@Fuma,

Fight back and wear your own! No one cares what they look like at all..

The backpack thing is going nowhere, and is practical and works for lots of people now. It's what people do now.

@WhyBirdStop Seriously wondering if you work with me 😁

OP, you are sounding quite weird now. What’s ‘brave’ about wearing a backpack? Have you invented some weird ‘rule’ that adult woman are required to carry a teensy, impractical handbag?

I wear a trendy practical adult backpack sometimes but still feel like a schoolchild wearing it, how do I get over that vibe?

But I agree with pps that any cleaner we’ve ever had has used our cleaning products, cloths, hoover etc. And if they hadn’t, no way would what they needed have fitted in a backpack,

This is one of those things I never thought about until I read MN! I'm 50 (!) and have a variety of backpacks. Never occurred to me that I was too 'old' for them!

We hot desk - almost everyone in the office has a decent backpack for to lug their worldy workday stuff around..

I'm 48 and use a backpack for work. Most of the execs do too. I got a secondhand Samsonsite on eBay and it had clearly never been used before.

Wow surprised so many of you ladies wear a backpack on a daily basis, you're all braver than me

Strange choice of words. Not brave, just practical. If I’m running to work I need something to put my change of clothes etc in. If I walk to the local supermarket I need something to carry the week’s shopping in.

@TheChampagneGallop I reckon just embrace the naffness. Get yourself some directional coloured glasses frames and a pair of Birkenstocks to fully rock that hearty middle class look.

I'm mid 30s and still use the backpack I had for 6th form for work. It's lasted me well!

Birkenstocks?

53 and have recently returned to using backpacks as far more back-friendly and you get your hands free. I'd not even considered this could be considered odd!

Amazon have really pretty ones. I've just bought one ready for my uni course. I've been using it already when out and about. I'm 36. My sister is 37 and has been wearing one for years!! Go for it!