Elegant rucksack - oxymoron?

[PiratePanda]

Tangent from University Academic Fashion:

Background: upping my game in the professional fashion stakes now I have hit 43 and am no longer anywhere near a size 8. University academic, obvs.

As well as ideas for a new wardrobe, I definitely need a new work bag.

It can't be a handbag, tote, or messenger bag. It HAS to be a rucksack-type because I have a hidden disability that means I can't carry heavy things on only one side. For the same reason, it needs to be as lightweight as I can get. It also needs to be waterproof-ish, as I cycle, and it needs to be big enough to carry a mac-book pro plus the odd book, A4 folder, umbrella, toiletries bag, etc.

But I do NOT want an outdoors style rucksack, not even a "ladies" one. I want it to be elegant. Soft leather, maybe, but not e.g. Cambridge satchel company - their leather is too heavy (weight, not gravitas or despair).

Please no-one mention Fjallraven. I hate them.

Black & grey harris tweed rucksack

Mulberry Bayswater Backpack.

Sandqvist? Knomo? Artefact? (Google or Etsy, they are handmade in the USA). None is outdoors-y, first and last are canvas rather than leather, or only partly leather, and while none are the price of name designer bags, they are not the cheapest either.

Some nice Herschel ones around.

I just bought an Arcido Faroe. It's quite large, maybe too big for what you want - but it's really nice.

Sandqvist are nice, and should last a while (for the price!).

Do you just hate the Kanken ones from Fjallraven? They have some other designs that are less twee/ubiquitous.

The Raven 20L might fit your remit.

Fair though if you hate all of them!! Probably not elegant enough anyway.

Jigsaw have some nice ones

www.jigsaw-online.com/product/blake-leather-backpack/J29852_BK000

again Jigsaw

clothing.jigsaw-online.com/search?w=stevie%20zip%20top%20backpack

Try Jigsaw, Radley, Herschel, Rains, John Lewis.

Search on asos. There are a couple of OK ones on UnderArmour.

I don't need a new one this year but I am unable to resist following every link and bit of advertising I get. And the more I look, the more ads I get .

Ha, cross post with @SaltLiquorice about Jigsaw. They are really nice bags. I have stroked them many times but I worry I spend too much time outside in the rain for leather.

I'd get one specifically for a laptop as they're heavy and lots of bags won't stand up to repeated use, especially on a bike.

Briggs & Riley www.johnlewis.com/briggs-riley-kinzie-frame-wide-mouth-backpack/p3228391?colour=Grey

How about a Brooks?

www.atlanticequipmentproject.com/shop-1/

Atlantic equipment do roll tops in waterproof canvas. They're lightweight. Not super smart, but would work in a university environment I think.

Ally Capellino - UK designer v nice, not cheap but last well (don't know why they're called men's rucksacks though - tsk) www.allycapellino.co.uk/mens-rucksacks

I have a Jaeger Hix which I use everyday for work its nylon but with leather details light weight roomy , looks classy I think .. I have worn it in the rain,(lots this week!) its not leaked..

They have a £25 off discount at the moment JAEGAR25

Oh - a further look shows that there are v nice women's rucksacks too - but surely they're unisex. Surely?

Gymtote

Have a look at Tumi. I have just got a lovely soft black leather one. I use it for travelling and think it is elegant as far as backpacks can be.

Cos?

https://www.cosstores.com/gb/Women/BagsPurses/Unstructureddleatherbackpack/10672447-66418080.1#66418081

My friend bought one that's practically an exact copy of a £100 Herschel one from Aldi. She bought it for around a tenner & everyone says it's brilliant (even without knowing it's a Herschel copy) It's black with brown leather straps. (Herschel = real leather, Aldi = pleather)

Oooh thank you! So many to choose from. You are my heroines.

More later when I finish my writing.

Rapha - some of the colours are in the sale at the moment. You can usually find a discount code if you google.

Rowallan do nice backpacks.