Backpacking across campus: Brown’s best bags

We held a stakeout on the Main Green to discover what the most common backpacks on Brown’s campus are. From the simply functional bags to the purses that cost more than the University’s tuition, these backpacks are more than just an everyday accessory.

The utilitarian

When you think of the Utilitarian, the beloved North Face and Jansport might come to mind. The color palette is quite limited to black, brown and other dark colors. But there are the occasional mint green, neon pink or paisley prints that we typically ignore. Those who choose to sport this accessory care less for the style and more for the approximately 87 pockets capable of fitting everything but a dorm bed.

The tote and luxury bags

These are the bags that will make you dive into your savings to purchase, while digging even deeper for insurance policies that will preserve the values of these patent leather sacks. The purses come in diverse styles, from the LV to the interlocking Cs, the MK or the two Gs, these prints almost cover the entire alphabet.  Move over, Kardashians, a new letter is in town.

The canvas

Both of the easy-to-spell and easy-to-pronounce brands, Herschel and Fjällräven, are responsible for providing the necessary accessories for Brown’s beloved hipster community. Donning neutral colors and simple styles, wearers are presumed to be taking a day trip from the smog and all-day traffic of New York City. These bags have called a mutiny against the pure functionality of the Utilitarian, and have made their points of featuring style over comfort.  It is not uncommon to notice the faces of students filled with pure sadness as they realize their plight of having to walk across Thayer Street instead of strutting the streets of Soho.

Athlete backpacks

We get it, we get it.  You can lift.

Miscellaneous

Backpacks are a social construct.  Therefore, we praise and laud those who refuse to constrain themselves to a label.  Some of us can walk past these bags in department stores without a second glance and ignore their stylish photos while online shopping.

But a small population of these unique objects find a way to get out into the open.  As you walk down Thayer or across the Green, these backpacks will make people stop and stare at the rare sightings of these mystical accessories. These backpacks are members of an endangered species. Stand tall and hold them with pride.