Hype backpack - will I look tragic?

[Marzipants]

I'm nearly 40, three kids under 5, carrying a lot bit of post-baby weight. I've decided that hampering myself when I'm out and about with the kids with a shoulder bag is stupid, so have been eyeing up backpacks.

In particular
this one from Hype.

But, despite the extra weight, desperate need of a haircut and lack of sleep I don't want to completely draw a line through my attempts to be slightly fashionable. Will I look like a wannabe dressing as a teenager? Or like an older mum who's grabbed her son's school bag? (I think it might be this.)

Any ideas?

My current uniform tends to be skinny jeans and baggy tops. It just occurred to be that the front view of my currently massive knockers might also not be that great.

Help meee!

I invested in a new changing bag after my beautiful leather Storksak's lining fell apart after daily use for the past 4 years.
Got this now:
www.thetipi.co.uk/product/navy-kaos-nappy-bag/

It's pricey for a rucksack, but so beautiful and well made. We are going on a long holiday this summer and autumn, so I needed something that was easy to carry and well set up for baby stuff. You can carry it as a handbag with the long strap, and it fits well over the buggy handle. Lovely Scandi styling too.

Wow thatorchid, that bag is gorgeous! But... £149 - eek!

I was thinking of treating myself on my Very Important Birthday this year, but maybe not on a changing bag.

I love that bag too, but my youngest toilet trained over 2 years ago.

I know, it's really quite a lot! I have 3 kids, and had seen some excellent reviews by bloggers I like, plus it was exactly the sort of thing I was looking for to use on our long holiday (relocating to N America for 4 months and plan to holiday in the Rockies, etc). So it's perfect for my needs. For others, not so much!

I've got this one which is comfy and looks good - a bit nicer than the canvas school bag type backpacks too!

Roxy are a brand who,ve had their day teen popularity wise but I have found their backpacks to be hard-wearing and the logo discreet enough to not look either old fashioned or tragic. Surfdome has good selection of makes.

www.surfdome.com/Womens_Backpacks-180/

Go for lightweight - no stupid metal logos, extra leather etc - and a hip belt. The one on the above link that meets those is the cheapest. That tells you what you pay for in fashion - more money for less function.

I've got a couple of Eastpak satchels dirt cheap in tk maxx. Not sure what their rucksacks are like but my satchels have lasted me a few years.

Currently got my eye on a Lowe alpine or osprey rucksack.

I have a couple of backpacks from this range
www.trooplondon.com/

I love it! But I tend to go for plain colours so less chance of clashing with the rest of my outfit. Not that I wear anything other than navy, khaki and grey!

I have a Kanken, which I love, but i'd recommend the Maxi for more than child, or maybe one of the laptop ones.

You all must be stronger than I am - I can't carry a leather one!

Neither can I !

Well I always thought that label said Lupe or Luppe and living across the road from a secondary school I see a lot of teenagers carrying that type of bag. I do think that brand is one I would associate with young teenagers rather than adults.

I would highly recommend a Kipling backpack. They are expensive but very well made, machine washable and last forever and ever. Amazon usually has good prices on selected colours and occasionally TK Maxx has them in.

Jeffrey - thanks for that link, they do indeed look lovely

I shall keep an eye out for them in TXMaxx as £180 for a fabric backpack is not in my budget

More votes for Kanken from me although I carry a Eastpak which is big enough to carry my gym kit and ride my bike etc. I also have a tan leather backpack which looks a bit smarter. My husband did buy me a technical backpack ( he would call it a day sack) which had lots of bells and whistles but wasn't actually big enough for what I needed and didn't look very stylish. I do think North Face have some nice ones if you wanted to go the "proper" route. I don't think there's anything wrong with the one you like ( who gives a f**k if it's a teenage brand?) but I would be worried about the quality.

I've got a plain black one that was £10 from Tiso. It fits all DS's crap essentials and has been quite hard wearing. Logo is discreet and it is easily replaceable.