Carry On

It may not be one of the hottest, sexiest, or high-fashion handbags, but one of the best ways to carry everything you think you might need this summer is a knapsack.

I love it when a cool and stylish fashion item is also functional. That way if you feel the need to add it to your wardrobe, you won’t have to suffer feelings of buyer’s remorse or guilt when you make your purchase. With all the running around we do, there is no denying a knapsack is a perfect choice for carrying all of our necessities. Add in the hand-free angle and your rationale is complete. 

Traditionally, knapsacks are great for hiking, trips, and lugging books around, but they are also hot fashion items. The knapsack is hardly new to the fashion scene and it shows up as a current accessory trend for men and women on a regular basis. For several years, lots of designers and labels have been producing knapsacks that rival high-end handbags, and some of them have equally high end prictags.  

If you’re looking for variety or something different, you won’t have to look far. The looks for this bag run from rustic to runway. What is nice about the knapsack this year is like a lot of other items, no particular textile is singled out as the must-have of the season.

Leather is always a great option that can work all year long, but since bright colors are hot, you should check out red, purple, and other eye-catching colors instead of basic black or brown. If your tastes run more for a fabric bag, canvas is a nice choice; you can go with a solid, or maybe check out a fun print like flowers, graffiti, or tie-dye or stripes. Denim isn’t my top suggestion, as I think it tends to look really casual, but if you go denim, opt for one with lots of hardware and perhaps leather or suede straps to give it a bit more of a polished look and substance.

Don’t be afraid to take your knapsack everywhere, especially if you choose leather, suede, or exotic material. You can carry easily one of these cool knapsacks to work in sleek leather, and it can also go out at night as a funky oversized tote. If you normally go for a certain textile, opt for something a bit different this year, like an animal print. Also check out whimsical styles like military-inspired camouflage or perhaps a clear synthetic with black or neon color straps.