Higher Education: The Do’s and Don’ts of post-collegiate backpacks
I snapped these two pictures about ten seconds apart yesterday. Serendipity, right? Like they were just walking around together hoping to be photographed as the right and wrong way to wear a backpack.
What’s the difference between the two? The guy on the left wore his REI-branded nylon backpack with ratty lightwash jeans, black sneakers and a sporty winter coat. While graduation appeared to be pretty far back in the rearview mirror for this guy, he looked more ready for class than for work. The guy on the right had on cords with tan leather boots, a navy peacoat and a matching wool beanie - all topped off by a canvas rucksack in understated olive green.
The guy on the left had on the pieces he needed to get out the door that morning; the guy on the right had on an outfit.
So yes, you can do a backpack post-college, with a few caveats:
- Never with a suit.
- Unless you’re actually going hiking, the bag shouldn’t scream, “I’ve got trail mix, a collapsible tent, and a day’s worth of water in here.”
Think “stylishly functional,” not just functional. So, nothing with an obvious label that’s usually found at sporting good stores or the back to school section of your local JC Penneys.
Below, a few brands to get you started:
Herschel
Makr
Archival
Hasso
