Style and practicality don’t always go hand-in-hand. In fact, most of the time they don’t. When aesthetics is the only thing that matters, functionality tends to get lost by the wayside. When you’re talking about backpacks though, that just won’t do. There needs to be a balance.
Here are our picks for the backpacks that manage just that…
Buscemi PHD Clean Backpack, £1,930
Boasting the same gold-plated hardware and painted edges as their shoes, Buschemi’s PHD Clean backpack is a smart choice. Italian leather on the outside and suede on the inside, it’s not exactly the kind of backpack you’ll want to throw around; risking that beautiful finish seems a travesty, even if it is an otherwise comfortable, sizeable backpack; www.buscemi.com
Prada Saffiano Leather-Trimmed Backpack, £1,080
All the swagger of the quintessential Italian house with the practicality needed for the perfect backpack makes Prada’s leather-trimmed offering one of the best out there. Plenty of storage pockets, utility straps and a padded back, not to mention the hard-wearing nylon it’s made of, all go to show that fashion can be functional. Sometimes; www.prada.com
Brooks England Pickzip Backpack, £230
Montblanc Nightflight Backpack, £500
We’re huge fans of Montblanc’s watches and here they apply that same attention to detail and surprising level of luxury for the price to the humble backpack. Discreet as it is, the Nightflight is still criss-crossed with more than its fair share of pockets and compartments to keep things organised. It also happens to have a very, very cool lining; www.montblanc.com
MCM Duke Nappa Backpack, £895
The sleek squared silhouette of MCM’s Duke backpack has more than a touch of futurism to it, particularly with the triangular panels on the sides and detailing on top. In construction though it’s pure traditional craftsmanship, with smooth, supple Nappa leather and plenty of compartments. The Duke is particularly handsome in navy blue; uk.mcmworldwide.com
