Is it 1994? Are we wearing Doc Martens, flowery black dresses and Revlon Raisin Rage? HAS ANYONE SEEN MY NIRVANA CD? Sorry, for a second there, I could’ve sworn we took a hot tub time machine back to my late teens, which was when the little black backpack was the undisputed Queen of All Accessories.
Believe it or not, enough time has passed for them to slingshot back into style again. It’s only a matter of time before the beauty gods also bring back pencil thin brows, but that’s a discussion for another day.
I’ve been wearing this tiny black nylon one I got at Target practically everywhere lately, and ya know what? I cannot help but wonder why I ever stopped carrying a little black backpack, because they’re freaking great.
This one is from A New Day, and it’s an affordable $19.99. The nylon is feather light, so I’m not hauling around three extra pounds of purse, and it’s juuuuuust big enough to hold the bare necessities. (You know me; if there’s an opportunity to overstuff a bag, I will totally do it.) This one’s the perfect size.
Best of all, my hands stay free, so I can scoop up the Coywolf at a moment’s notice, or pet a passing kitty.
But wait, this particular bag also easily converts to a cross-body bag. You just pull the straps up at the top!
If black nylon is too retro for you, check out the black-and-white striped one instead. I came this close to picking it up because it has a slight J.Crew vibe. The pale pink one is also pretty cute (but it would probably pick up more dirt), as are the bright blue and the canary yellow.
Some reviewers on the Target website say that the zipper gets stuck, and yeah, it happened to me once when I shoved one too many things inside. It was an easy fix, though. I slowly pulled the zipper back to the starting position, and the teeth slipped back into place. I think as long as you don’t push the maximum capacity, you’ll be OK.
I bought it mainly to take with me to the playground and have both hands free to play with Connor. I don’t feel comfortable leaving my purse on a table or bench, which the moms do here all the time, but I ugh, I just can’t. I feel safer with my wallet and phone physically on my body. I looked online, at Marshalls and at T.J. Maxx, and this Target bag was the lightest and cheapest hands-free option I found. It fits my wallet, phone, keys and a pouch for Connor’s Travel Potty, and then I usually bring my water bottle in a separate bag, along with snacks.
The more I use it, the more I love wearing it, and it’s quickly becoming my go-to “everything” bag. I wore it all last weekend on my birthday trip, and it was so nice to have both hands available to do things like pick flowers, comb the beach for shells, and climb steep rocks.
Someday, I may splurge on a more refined version like this neoprene one by Dagne Dover or this REALLY cute one by Sole Society, which has a lot of good reviews, but this one is great for now.
Did you ever, or do you now, carry a little black backpack?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Kim says
June 12th, 2019 at 9:45 amI am not joking when I say that, as soon as I read the post’s title, I started humming that song. I was going to mention it in the comments but thought it may not have been popular enough for people to know. So, imagine how thrilled I was to scroll and see that you clipped it! HAHA! I was the queen of the little black backpack, too. Nylon DKNY – it is possibly in a closet somewhere. Truth be told, we were at a Coach outlet a few weeks ago and I literally had to tell the Hubs to keep me away from the backpacks and hobo bags. I actually carry a hiking backpack to work every day with my breakfast, lunch and water bottles. I don’t think I’ll ever be backpack-free (thankfully!) 🙂
PS You are looking fabulous! Your bum is non-existent in those pants. I know you’re working really hard with the workouts so I wanted to let you know that it shows! Congrats!!
Miki says
June 12th, 2019 at 10:37 amI bought a Kate Spade mini backpack last year, and I love it! I like unique purses (and Kate has that in spades … haha, see what I did there 😜 ). My backpack is so great, so much easier to carry, and makes me feel like I’m 20 again haha, well worth it. However, I just took a huge leap and bought a Guess hip purse! LOL … so now I’m really geeking it out with a FANNY PACK OMG, but I kind of love it 😁 (FYI it was on sale for $15 and it’s pretty cute soooo …. 😉 ).
Jennifer Osborn says
June 12th, 2019 at 11:28 amI used to carry one back in the 90’s for a minute but not sure I could again—mainly because I live in vacationland and 90% of the tourists wear them.
However I do love me a crossbody and I own 2 pink ones. So I might like your black one.
Also your new do looks really fabulous!
Jennifer Osborn recently posted … Cook Beyond the Chicken Breast
Ruchita says
June 12th, 2019 at 11:59 amI had one of those little black backpacks back in the day! I wish I had kept it because it would be a vintage item now. 🙂
This one is is cute and practical! I like that it converts to cross body. I have a tendency to overfill my purse and it can get pretty heavy. Wearing a backpack would be better on my shoulders.
I do still have my Doc Martens boots from 1995 and Nirvana and Hole CDs!
Tatiana says
June 12th, 2019 at 12:11 pmI had a black nylon one trimmed in leather. No idea what happened to it. It was great for hands free chasing Dear Daughter around. In fact I’ve been looking for another similar one for the past 6 to 9 months now. But I’m so finicky I haven’t found anything I really like.
I think it’s rather brilliant that it converts to a cross body bag. If you wear a backpack bag like that to a museum they make you wear it on your front side or check it. Guess they don’t want you bumping into things. So quickly converting it to a crossbody bag makes it museum OK. I would totally wear that bag while I vacation and visiting art museums.
Cheryene says
June 12th, 2019 at 1:20 pmI’ve been using a backpack since 1982 when I started college. They’re awesome! I used bigger ones like Jansport for school and for work too. I could put my lunch bag, workout clothes, wallet, book and other stuff in it. Now that I’m retired (for now anyway) I downsized to a smaller black faux leather one. What’s better than having your hands free for carrying coffee, eating ice cream, opening doors or petting cats? I also just got a Hip Zip Bag that has two hooks that hook onto two belt loops of my jeans. It’s small, but holds keys, phone, and lip balm and a small wallet. I love your backpack and it’s cool the way you can make it into a crossbody. I might have to pay a visit to Target.
I just wore my Doc Martens a couple of weekends ago!
Erica says
June 12th, 2019 at 4:19 pmI wish I kept my lil black back pack. It was so nice and classic. Target for $20? I may have to check it out! And having a teen all those 90s things… Nirvana, Docs, floral dresses are all the rage again. I never stopped listening to my 90s music but I have to tread lightly with what I can pull off clothing wise:)
Suzanne C says
June 12th, 2019 at 4:57 pmOh gosh, I’ve gotten scolded more than once by my oldest niece for not saving more of my 90’s stuff for her. (Like I knew we’d have her….) Three of the main characters on This Is Us are about our age and it’s been fun watching the parts of the show that take place back in the 90’s. At least, the parts when I wasn’t ugly-crying.
I saw a rainbow llama mini backpack today. I was totally digging it, but I guess your’s is the more age-appropriate version, lol.
Chelsea says
June 12th, 2019 at 5:07 pmThat song is classic! I used to listen to it with my cousins.
I might check this out! The purse I’m carrying right now is velvety which is not very summery, is it? LOL I bought it at target a few years back when my purse broke as I approached the store (fate). I get compliments on it all the time. And I don’t mess with bags that aren’t cross body or wearable because otherwise I leave it places.
LindaLibraLoca says
June 13th, 2019 at 1:34 amI did, and it in one of the very few trends I can see me revisiting. I am not going back to Millefleur dresses and Doc Martins!
LindaLibraLoca recently posted … Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel
Nicole says
June 13th, 2019 at 11:17 amOh man…I love reading your nostalgia posts! I’ve been on such a 90s kick for the past year or so and was in the store the other day considering buying another black backpack. I used to carry one all the time in Seattle (yup, I was in Seattle in the 90s, although it was the second part…but who’s a lucky girl!) as well as wearing Docs and the occasional babydoll dress. 🙂 I miss it. Now I’m definitely going to pick up another backpack, put on my Docs (sadly I destroyed the patent pair I used to wear everywhere in the 90s so I have a more modern version) and enjoy it.
On another note…Your outfit in this post reminds me how freaking much I miss wearing leggings and tennis shoes. I think I’ve figured out what I’m working around the house in this weekend. 🙂
Efrain says
June 13th, 2019 at 1:13 pmIt’s funny because I only have one backpack and a yellow small cross body bag, but I really love the bag it’s small so I can’t overpack and even then all my “essentials” fit including a small water bottle and a umbrella.
I love how your hair look in the photos Karen.
yelena says
June 14th, 2019 at 8:31 amlove this look! you look like such a cool young mom!
and I love this bag, I’ve been eyeing up their belt bags aka fanny packs but wanted to see it instore before purchasing.
this backpack looks more functional tho~!
Sharon B says
June 14th, 2019 at 2:05 pmOh how I loved me some little black backpacks back in the day!
I love that Docs are back “in.” I bought A FEW pairs earlier this year in a fit of indecision, I’m loving ’em! I didn’t just buy them because they are back, well maybe that inspired it. But they also feel very “me” again (working my corporate job but playing in a band again after years. so yeah they’re commute/weekend wear). I wish I didn’t donate my old 90s pairs but after years of them gathering dust, I just thought they deserved a better home.