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September 28, 2006

Carrier-Conscious

Book bags have become a trendy accessory for men and women

Story by: Diana Claussen

The Shorthorn staff

The Shorthorn: Drew Campbell

As a child, public relations junior Triniti Price sported a Hello Kitty backpack.

She recalled that when she was younger, the brand of backpack was the important thing, but these days it’s a matter of fashion.

Now an accessories buying consultant for a Sironia boutique, Price is obligated to keep up with current fashion trends. And though she has noticed the change in the traditional look of the book bag, she still prefers her 5-year-old Eastpak.

“I’ll probably get a trendier bag,” she said. “My best friend keeps telling me I need to.”

Whether Hello Kitty or Ninja Turtles, plastic or canvas, backpacks are morphing into more than their predecessors. And the changes are no longer just a matter of engineering. Along with comfort and design, taste and style are now thrown into the mix when it comes to choosing a school bag.

“For so long there were no options for backpacks, and the original style was a long-standing tradition,” Price said. “But now designers are making more trendy options, and they’re more of an accessory now because there are more choices.”

She said the trend is changing to messenger bags and the one-shoulder sling, which curves to fit the body and that bags are considered accessories.

Biology senior Tendai Makina, who loves her tan Dolce & Gabbana shoulder bag with gold rivets, said she couldn’t be happier with all the choices of bags. She likes hers so much, she is considering getting another one.

Continuing theater major Natalie Salo said that people sometimes want to be different and want things that reflect their style, which is why there are so many choices now. She said nicer bags, instead of the traditional JanSport-style backpacks, are more professional and mature.

“Backpacks to me have always been an accessory,” she said. “I have a Dolce & Gabbana knockoff, and I like its style because it has great pockets and all of the benefits of a backpack without the kiddie aspect.”

Others though, like English senior Nikki Slack, use their bags to make a statement. Slack’s messenger bag has black skulls and pink flowered accents, and it is more a reflection of her personality than of a trend.

“My bag deconstructs my feminine side with my edgy side — it’s both feminine and gruesome,” she said.

Amber Valentin, an employee at The College Store on Cooper Street, noticed the trend of school bags moving away from the traditional style. She said most customers who go in looking for a school bag usually don’t want anything plain and that most females want something pretty.

“We don’t sell a lot of them,” Valentin said, referring to the full rack of Timberlands.

She has also noticed that more females seem to have a messenger bag that goes over one shoulder, and the guys usually go with a plain backpack or a one-shoulder sling bag.

“I’ve definitely seen people that dress nicer usually like the big purse style,” she said.