Back to School Bags
With summer slowly coming to an end, returning upperclassmen and enthusiastic first year students are in the final days before touching down on campus to continue their academic journeys. In this balance between school and the need to serve looks, bags have become quite the unique playground for stylish accessories, with students sporting anything from totes to slings. Here are nine brands with unique bags that could make the perfect fit for your first day.
Image courtesy of the Telfar website
The Telfar Eastpak
Starting off strong with a brand that needs no introduction, we have Telfar. Telfar is a unisex global fashion brand based in NYC founded by Telfar Clemens in 2005. It goes without saying that Telfar is best known for their wide assortment of bags, each one coming in multiple sizes,a variety of colors and materials. Not only are these bags iconic and a cultural statement, they also serve as great bags for day to day activities including campus life. With Telfar’s Eastpak variant, students can have a bag specifically for school occasions. However, we will tell you now, the color you want is probably sold out.
Image courtesy of the Fjallraven website
Next on the list is a brand with a fast-growing audience due to the large assortment of looks and a focus on high durability and functionality. Fjallraven is an outdoor clothing and equipment brand, originating in Sweden. With a main focus being simplicity and practicality in all their gear, their long list of products is aimed at that mission. Fjallraven has risen to fame due to the Kanken backpack, a simple bag that doesn't trade quality for comfort or appearance, delivering both time and time again. Recently, they even added a feature on their website that allows you to design the colors of your bag yourself.
Image courtesy of the Marcjacobs website
Marc Jacobs’ “The Tote Bag”
This eponymous fashion house has made its rounds in the world of style since 1984. With a solid history pushing the boundaries, Marc Jacobs has become a high contender on any list it's put on. In the case of fashionable school bags, there is no exception. Though obviously not school centric in mission or manner, the brand did design a bag that found a way to be perfect for the classroom setting with “The Tote Bag.” This bag serves as a prime example of fashion products meeting overall functionality, and the rise of its appearances on college campuses and office settings alike followed soon after that discovery. Trust us, this bag is much more than a tote.
Image courtesy of the Northface website
The North Face Hot Shot SE
Similarly to Fjallraven, Northface is another contender in this list that isn't even a fashion brand by name. However, its rounds in the fashion world are so concrete that some would argue culturally its always been a fashion house. Founded in 1966 by Doug Tompkins as a humble shop for climbers, The North Face has transformed into one of the world’s leading outdoor clothing and equipment brands. Even with that purpose and mission, The North Face's knack for functionality and utility within exotic colorways and hidden/extra pockets make their bags perfect for those classes that require more. We know the mountain of intro to physics homework requires just as much as Everest, and these bags will get you through both.
Image courtesy of the Herotoall website
The Herotoall Cape is a brand started in 2019 by NYC native Kesly Young. Known for limited drops and 1-of-1 pieces that will never be made again, everyone always wants to get a hand on the brand's collectibles. However, the real identifier of the city's heroes has always been on which fashion heads are also donning the brand's infamous “cape”. Outside of their appearance, capes make for great on the go bags, as they are simple and stylish, come in a great assortment of colors and even have a magnetic clasp for extra security. For your sake, you may want to turn notifications on for the brand’s Instagram, as they disappear faster than Batman does.
Image courtesy of the robertprovilus website
Artist Robert Provilus is known predominantly for his talent in painting surreal and culturally expressive images that feel almost alive. Recently he decided to expand his art and appease his audience by making some of his iconic paintings wearable. With that came the birth of the Tsuno bag. This bag is a tapestry masterpiece which displays a powerful painting of one of the more well known images taken during the George Floyd protests of 2020. The striking contrast between this and the image is that it also pictures a Black child in front of the burning police car, as well as a back side that states “no justice, no peace.” Among the plethora of things school serves as for students, it has always served as a political landscape. We don't know of a bag that could be more telling of your sentiments.
Image courtesy of the Bournestar website
Bournestar is a brand that has gone out of its way to be able to have an item for any of your needs. Started in 2020 by Bronx native Tianna Osbourne, Bournestar has continued to dominate in finding the middle ground between culture, unique expression and functionality. The Bournestar duffle easily demonstrates another way the brand has done this, allowing for a stylish yet practical option to the question of how you would fit all your books in one bag. With its durability and fashion appeal guaranteed, all you have to do is get one. Try your hardest not to gatekeep, your peers may need one too.
Image courtesy of the Longchamps website
Paris fashion brand Longchamp started out as a family business by Jean Cassegrain in 1948. Born from Jean's desire to venture into the world of French leather goods, the brand has taken to the world and serves as another example of France’s dominance and contribution to fashion history. It would be remiss of us to know that and not then mention the Le Pliage bag. With a large array of colors and unisex appearance, this bag is another example of getting to class in style. Just remember to strive for timeliness too.
Image courtesy of the Herschel website
Last in our list, though definitely not least, we have The Herschel Bag. This Vancouver based outdoor brand has redefined the space between simple yet standout. With a commitment to new colors and styles regularly, and collaborations that don't go unnoticed, Herschel remains determined to stand by its claim to combine style, quality and purpose. Its backpacks are a prime example. Whether you're hiking or trekking across campus, this brand assures it has you completely covered.