Leather backpack for a handbag?

[heartsandsocks]

Just wondering and thought I’d enlist the numerous minds in S&B…please be absolutely honest and give me your opinion - I’m thinking of getting a leather backpack to use instead of a ‘classic’ handbag. But…does that have a bit of ‘90’s clubbing’ about it?? Will I look a bit odd? Or is it perfectly elegant and normal?
For full disclosure, I’m 53. (I know, I know…wear what you want, who cares…but I’d still like to ask!)

ha, I’ve just given in and bought one! Late-40s, similar concern!!

It’s super practical, and looks nice, but I’ll be honest I do still feel a bit of a div when I’m using it 😂

Ha ha exactly!! That’s my conflict!

I think the answer is not to wear it high up your back (then it has schoolbag day vibes).

I have several nice leather ones as I use my bike a lot. I actually feel an awful lot safer (from bag snatchers) when I wear these bags and it's great to have hands free.

I'm always on the lookout for stylish bags which double up as backpacks.

Been doing it for years!

Yes, hands free is the dream! I have my eye on this one from Fossil:

I have one that I love but it's a faff when I'm in a shop and have to get the bag of my back to get to my purse or anything. Ive gone back to a cross body bag

Hmm that’s a good point.

I don't find that at all. I can't imagine it' being any more of a "faff" than a shoulder bag. Confused.

Just a last bump in case anyone else wants to comment! 🎒 👜

I think because you have to ‘remove’ a backpack from your shoulders, bring it to the front of your body and then open it etc.
A shoulder or crossbody bag is already there in the correct place to be opened!

People who think that's an issue should just carry their cash and cards in a paper bag in their hands. FFS. Is this real?

What about this https://www.cambridgesatchel.com/products/small-portrait-backpack-in-leather-french-grey-1

I’ve recently bought one from fat face. It’s the perfect size

Mine is from sandqvist. It’s my second one - bit pricey but lovely, well made and so so practical. I wouldn’t go back to handbags - love having weight across both shoulders and both hands free.

I'm 42 and have been using a "leather" River Island backpack for about 7 years. I hope I don't look like a div, although to be fair I don't need much help to look like one. I'm perfectly capable of looking like a div without the backpack 😁.

To be honest, I got it for travelling on flights thinking that it would look nicer than a sports one and then I could use it on holiday to carry sun cream etc. I use it all the time if I need to carry a lot of stuff. Instead of driving I will often walk to the shops and I'll put bags in my backpack and have the backpack to carry some stuff and two arms free to carry two carrier bags. It's handy.

Wow, do you always get so hett up about other people sharing their own opinions? 🙄 And it is more of a faff than having a cross body bag that you just reach down, unzip and pull out your purse.

OP I love the look of a leather backpack, I think you should go for it. I had a lovely one for work from TKMaxx but unfortunately it was crap quality and didn't stand the test of time so I had to switch back to the ugly yet hard-wearing laptop backpack.

Ive had a whistles one i still use now & bought in 2013 (age 44) I think theyre great. Also karen millen’s early noughties ones are lush: see vinted!

I use a backpack as have 2 young children, so being hands free is a must. Plus all the associated kit of the kids. I find it far easier than a conventional bag
Mine is a Dune one from TKs. They have some bargains.

I have a kipling backpack for my handbag so.not leather but same principle. I.use Apple pay so.keep my phone in my coat/hoody/jeans/trouser pocket so.I don't need to take my bag off if I'm just paying for something. Most loyalty cards are on there too so rarely need to take it off.
I used to have cross body bags but realised they were rubbing in the same.place on trousers so much it actually wore a hole in one pair of jeans and made other trousers bobbly.
The backpack is also much more comfortable because the cross body would pull on one shoulder which messed my neck up a bit, especially if it was heavy.

People who think that's an issue should just carry their cash and cards in a paper bag in their hands. FFS. Is this real?

lol what a weird reaction. Are you are a member of UK Backpackers society hence why you are so offended?

The Fossil bag you're after could do both op. Most of them have adjustable straps to convert to crossbody.

I considered it but in the end chose a small cross body instead. I was advised by my dd!

Ha ha thanks all! I think I’m going to get that Fossil and risk my internal div emerging 😄😄

I still have mine from the 90s. Used to like it for travel and watching sport but went off it a lot after I caught a pick pocket opening it.

Yes, that did cross my mind. I think I’m going to get some kind of little padlock thing to seal the main compartment when I’m in busy areas…and I’ll only keep tissues (and maybe a mouse trap!) in the front pocket.