Photos by Ilene Anders
Ilene Anders
Graphic Designer & Reporter
The tradition of the backpack has been embraced throughout universal school history. Because of the amount of schoolwork they receive, students have always found it a hassle to carry all off their books solely with their hands. Yet, in recent years, some students have decided to revolutionize the idea of backpacks and use alternatively styled bags to carry their things.
Sophomore Kaelin Campbell said she stopped using ‘normal’ backpacks when she found a bright pink bag covered with pink spikes over spring break. “We were in the ice cream store ‘Slones’ in Palm Beach. And at first I thought it was so ugly. But then I was thinking about how it would be fun for senior year and over the course of the break the backpack grew on me. Now I love it,” she said.
Other students have also been straying from the traditional backpack and are purchasing trendy Urban Outfitters drawstring bags. “I really like Urban Outfitters, it’s one of my favorite stores, even though it’s kind of expensive,” sophomore Sarah Luke said. “It was a special occasion when I saw this bag because it wasn’t too much money. A bunch of people are carrying canvas bags from urban outfitters and originally I wanted one of those, but then I saw this crazy-colored one and decided I wanted to be different.”
Besides the individuality of Urban Outfitters, Sarah said she also enjoys the bags because they are easier to carry. “I like my Urban Outfitters bag because it’s smaller and less bulky than the traditional backpack,” she said.
Many other students also agree that the traditional backpack model is not that comfortable to use. Freshman Kat Wilson avoids this flaw by carrying the classic Vera Bradley shoulder bag. “Carrying a Vera Bradley bag is more comfortable for me. I like it more than backpacks because it doesn’t put as much weight on your back,” she said. “Its easier to hold if you’re in a hurry, and you don’t have to worry about all the zippers opening. They are fashionable and have a good amount of space for my belongings.”
The divergence from normal backpacks has spread quickly throughout the school. Many seniors have been using child backpacks with cartoons on them, and sophomore Katie Melland even created a bag from an old pair of pants during the snow days in January.
“It’s strange because I didn’t exactly see a denim bag and think ‘I want to make that,’ I had just seen old jeans in a closet and I tried to think of a way to reuse them,” Katie said. “After I thought about it, I made sketches and researched the idea online. I couldn’t find step-by-step instructions to making the bag the way I had imagined it, so most of the time I relied on the sketches. My bag is made of parts of three different pairs of light denim Old Navy ‘mom’ jeans. the bag was sewn by hand, so I just used regular sewing needles and light blue thread. I used an old tote bag as a model for how large I wanted the bag to be.”
Katie wandered from the traditional style of a backpack to promote her individuality. “I was tired of using a backpack for some time, and I couldn’t find a messenger bag/tote I wanted to use for school, so I just made one. I think the bag shows my individuality because few high school students would see making a bag an option,” she said. “The jean bag shows the ability to not only see something as how it is, Old Navy ‘mom’ jeans, but what it could be, a bag. I think it shows how creative and innovative one can be when snow days come!”
Many students are setting themselves apart by personalizing their backpacks. Kaelin said using her new backpack showcases her personality, and that she likes the independent aspect of using it. “I think the bag shows that I like being me and only me,” she said. “I like the latest trends and fashions but I also like being different from others. Summer is almost here, so why not carry something bright and colorful? When I think of backpacks and pencils I think of back to school. But my colorful backpack usually makes me laugh, or I get stopped in the hallway from others touching it. The traditional backpack is fine, but why not try something different?”
