Backpack Fashion: Bookbag vs Totes vs Messengers

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Here's the inevitable college backpack dilemma--backpack, tote bag, or messenger? I know it really depends on the college/location, but for Columbia in NYC of all places, what do most students (girls) have? </p>

<p>I don't recall seeing many, or any, girls with real backpacks when I visited campus a couple weeks ago. I'm thinking a real backpack is going to look bulky, clunky, and possibly like a tourist in NYC, but a nylon messenger bag isn't exactly in style either. Does that leave the indestructible LL Bean tote? Besides, it's not like we have to lug around 50 lbs of books any longer like in high school. Just a laptop, pens, paper, and a book, I'm assuming most of the time? Any more trendy and fashionable ideas?</p>

<p>Thanks :p</p>

2

<p>I see a lot of girls carrying around leather (real or faux) purses and totes. I use a large, non-leather purse that can fit my laptop and some additional books, although I usually only carry my books around. I’ve never been a huge fan of messenger bags because the weight feels awkward, but leather messenger bags seem to be in right now (maybe more so for guys than girls, but I’ve definitely seen girls carrying them). They look nice and all but can be expensive. Some girls do use backpacks, so if you’re most comfortable with one, then go with that. What I don’t see are those L.L. Bean backpacks that everyone had in high school - you know, the kind with your initials sewn into the top flap?</p>

3

<p>haha I have one of those LL Bean backpacks!! But I wasn’t going to use it in college…its beat up enough already =D</p>

4

<p>I don’t recall using any sort of bag. I just carried a spiral notebook to class and put a pen in my pocket. What do you need to lug around?</p>

5

<p>Actually, C02 probably has a point. You probably won’t need to lug around books, like you did in high school. In lecture courses, you might need a computer to take notes, but you certainly won’t have to bring a textbook to class. You’d never have time to refer it! In a seminar-style class, it would probably be helpful to have the book you’re discussing in front of you, but you probably wouldn’t need anything else. So a purse would probably suffice, so long as you can fit your laptop into it.</p>

6

<p>All the girls I know have a purse or a tote.</p>

7

<p>At first, I thought noco might be spamming, but he’s actually 100% correct. Tons of people—both girls and guys—have that style of bag. Personally, I just use a Strand messenger bag for everything. Messengers are pretty common for guys, but not really girls.</p>

8

<p>During all of the campus tours I went on this year, I saw most girls carrying Vera Bradley bags for their books and laptops.</p>

9

<p>Paper bags from Trader Joe’s are the way to go.</p>

10

<p>If you’re a girl, Long Champ bags are always in fashion (tho pricey, I understand that they last well)</p>