Thursday, September 23, 2010

Backpack Trends Around Campus


While walking around UK’s vast campus, one can see that there is definitely not a shortage of stylish backpacks. With styles ranging from the always classic L.L. Bean backpack, to designer tote bags, students at UK do not fall short when it comes to style and flair.
Backpacks are always an obvious choice when looking for a stylish way to carry all types of school gear. The classic L.L. Bean monogrammed backpack will always be a staple on college campuses, and especially UK. Sportier options from The North Face, Under Armor, and the UK Nike backpack are definitely growing in popularity. For girls who like to add a touch of pattern and a pop of color; quilted, cotton Vera Bradley backpacks are incredibly popular. As far as more “fashion forward” options go, upscale designer backpacks from brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci have been spotted on the back’s of some of UK’s most fashion conscious students.

For those who prefer messenger bags or even tote bags to haul around their text books and pencils, candy colored Vera Bradley print messenger bags, as well as, Longchamp totes in an array of colors are a dime a dozen around campus. Sorority girls love to show off their Greek letters by carrying cotton tote bags embroidered with the letters of their sorority. Bags with monogrammed names or initials can also be seen on the shoulders of many UK students. Designer messenger bags and totes from brands like Coach, Louis Vuitton, and Tory Burch are also popular with those who want to add a special chicness to their hike around UK’s campus. 
          Backpack trends definitely do not end simply with the types of bags that students are carrying. Buttons and pins are an extremely popular way to accessorize school bags, and support different organizations and clubs at the University of Kentucky. Ranging from sorority pins saying “DZ Loves Our Cats” to a simple green button supporting the Violence Intervention and Prevention Center, pins in all shapes and sizes with any slogan can be found all around campus.  

         Backpacks, messenger bags, and totes are the ultimate way to show off personal style when strolling around campus in the rain or shine. No matter what UK students choose to carry their gear in, one thing is certain: UK students are ALWAYS stylish and chic.

52 comments:

Anonymous said...

This post is true! All of the trends mentioned you can see within 5 minutes of being on campus. I switch off between my northface back pack, my letter bag and a vera bag!!
-Layla Boliha

Katie15 said...

Katie Fisher

I really enjoyed reading the blog about backpack trends around campus - while it is a reminder of things that as UK students we do see everyday the authors of this insert put a cute, quirky, and interesting twist on the topic. I can tell that it was well researched and they pinpointed many different varieties and styles of backpacks.

Anonymous said...

It is interesting to see the wide variety of backpacks used around UK's campus. I am satisfied with my black Northface backpack that I've used for the past two years now. Sometimes I choose to wear my fossil tote bag on occasions when I want to be more fashionable.
-Olivia Rink

Anonymous said...

I love walking around campus and seeing all the cute backpacks! My personal favorites are big Vera Bradley Totes because they hold everything and can be used as a backpack while looking like a purse! I love this blog post and the picture is awesome too!

Unknown said...

I am amazed at the diversity of backpacks here at UK, where I went to school, everyone had a L.L Bean or North Face backpack, and thats it. Two years ago i started wearing a Spiderman little kid backpack to try to bring some diversity to our school, needless to say I got some pretty weird looks! But now I think next time I go home I am going to bring it to campus, and see if UK is ready to handle its awesomeness! I am sure it will though, because here everyone does their own thing, and I love it!
-Jillian Dunaway

danielle.custer said...

I can definitely agree with all this information about the popular backpack trends! I love to carry around my Longchamp bag on a day where i have less classes! I love looking at everyones different styles as I walk to class and I love how everyone at UK is so fashionable!
-Danielle Custer

Unknown said...

I really enjoyed reading this blog post because its so true. I love walking around campus and seeing all the different backpacks. So many people are creative with the way they choose to tote their books around campus.
-Amanda Birch

Morgan_Clark said...

This is such an interesting blog. I feel like this hit the right spot. when I walk to class I cant help looking at all the backpacks and I feel like I have seen everything mentioned in the blog. I also found it cool how they also mentioned the backpack accessories such as the buttons everyone has at least one.

-Morgan Clark

Anonymous said...

Many people around campus sport many types of backpacks. Although, I've noticed not only girls use the designer bags now a days. There are now Coach backpacks that I have seen guys use as well. But I agree there is a large variety of backpacks used among Kentucky's campus.
-Kayla Sienkowski

Erin.Creelman said...

When I walk around campus I see so many different styles of backpacks and bags that people carry. As I walk to classes I think its very interesting to see all the different styles of bags that people use. I think this blog is so true, according to what classes I have in one day I either carry mine longchamp or north face backpack.

-Erin Creelman

Unknown said...

Walking around campus, you see a variety of different backpacks. Designer backpacks are becoming more and more popular among students here at UK. Just walking around campus, you can see all kinds of different bags, like North Face and L.l Bean. It's also interesting to read about the backpack accessories like sorority pins and other types of buttons.
Julie Sutton

Anonymous said...

At my high school different cartoon character backpack was the latest trend but as I entered college you hardly see them anymore and if sighted its probably from a college students little sister coming to visit or their children.
-Marissa Payne

Young J.U.I.C.E. said...

Backpacks are definetly a trend around the UK campus. Even though I like to support the jansport backpacks, I also see people wearing other backpacks. One of my favorites is the nike UK backpack that the athletes wear. The nike backpacks look very durable and I support nike very much.
- OJ Kimijwok

Anonymous said...

Definitely right! I have like three or four different bags I bring my books to class in, including an L.L. Bean and messenger bags! You see everything around UK campus. L.L. Bean backpacks are the way to go if you have a lot of stuff to haul around campus though, you can fit anything in them!
- Bethany Davis

paige.krall said...

This is a really descriptive and interesting blog. While walking around campus, I love looking at "stand out" or fashionable back packs. As an athlete, I have the UK nike back pack, so it is cool to see other athletes with those back packs, too. The other most commmon bag I see are the embroidered sorority bags, which was mentioned in this post!

Nicole Benz said...

This post does not leave out any of the backpacks on UK's campus. This is my 4th year on campus and I have definitely seen all of these through the years. I always wanted a North Face backpack when I came to college but I have just kept with the classic LL Bean backpack mentioned in the post. It's interesting for students to express themselves with designs ranging from Vera Bradley to sorority bags.
-Nicole Benz

Mahaleigh Wheatley said...

I absolutely love the backpacks that are shown here. I think my favorite are the designer labels I see walking around campus. It interests me if people only have one backpack or as time changes if they will switch to something else. I myself have several to go with outfits and comfort. I love my laptop bag the most, its a real louis vuitton and I havent seen anyone with anything close to it. I hope to see some more designer bags, or just cute in general. Anything trendy.

-Mahaleigh Wheatley

Anonymous said...

Meredith Gross

I really enjoyed the backpack blog! The tone of the blog was just right! Very insightful and I feel the trends of the backpacks were well researched. I liked the variety and detail that was put into the blog, however I wish there had been some pictures of students actually sporting the bags!

Brooke said...

I think it is fun to see all the different and unique backpack trends that you can see as you step foot on campus. I like the fact that the authors of the post covered both men and womens backpack fashion. I like how they also covered the way many accesorize them with pins etc. Great post.

Maggie Camp said...

I like the backpack blog post a lot! it was very descriptive and I knew every bag they described. All of these trends are definitely prominent on campus. They covered a broad spectrum of styles and included something for everyone.
-Maggie Camp

Emily Stemkowski said...

This article did a very good job of being a well rounded observation of UK campus backpacks! Something i think needed to be included though were the athletic backpacks that have the athletes names on them, and also the bag offered at the bookstores. There are the Vineyard Vine Totes that have UK imprinted around the top, which are also prevent with sorority letters on these bags. Another new trend at the bookstores is the plaid print which can be purchased in bags and laptop cases. But other then that i think this article did a great job of capturing UK style.

Anonymous said...

This article did great showing and explaining the different varieties of backpaks and totes carried around campus. I like theis post a lot, and the picture chosen was very classy and upscale. The monogramed totes and bags are always going to be favorite of mine, but I thought it was great how the article pointed out how different backpacks carried around on campus allows people to show of their individual style.
-Amber Olinger

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed reading this article. They did a good job at including every type of bag that I have seen on campus. I also like that they didnt just talk about the bag itself, but how people are making each of there bags unique by adding pins and such from different clubs.

- Lauren Farinelli

Nicole Bentley said...

I completely agree. This article did a great job of describing the variety that we do see everyday on campus. I walk around all the time seeing the different styles of bags and it just shows you the variety of people and personalities that are on campus. I have a couple of bags that I switch out for class and both are very different.

Raegan Kuchar said...

I love your post! You guys did a great job that kept me entertained the entire time I was reading. Every which way you look, while walking from class to class, you can see every backpack trend y'all described. You really captured the essence not only of the backpacks but the diverse range of personalities that can be seen all over the University of Kentucky's campus as well...AWESOME JOB!!

--Raegan Kuchar

Anonymous said...

I agree as well. I love to see the wide variety of backpacks used on campus. I personally use a printed monogrammed bag and I'm surprised at how many other do as well. Great job on the post, and the picture is awesome too!

Anonymous said...

I agree as well. I love to see the wide variety of backpacks used on campus. I personally use a printed monogrammed bag and I'm surprised at how many others do as well. Great job on the post, and the picture is awesome too!
-Christine Wolfzorn

Anonymous said...

I never really thought about all the different types of bags and backpacks students carry around campus until I read this, but it's so true. I even switch it up some days and carry a tote bag and then carry a backpack the next, it just depends how many books I have to bring each day. I think there is wide variety of backpacks around UK's campus and each makes everyone unique and fashionable.
-Cortney Hockenbury

Drew said...

Great post! This article has really made me think of the diversity of something so simple as a backpack in the retail industry. It just shows how everyone has different tastes, preferences, and needs when it comes to choosing a backpack. I bought my back pack because it is comfortable, has plenty of storage, and came with a lap top compartment. The fashion aspect of backpacks wasn't something that interested me as much as performance.

Drew McCombs

Cara Richardson said...

This a a great post! This blog is a hot topic, especially when school starts back up. Everyone gets their new backpack to use for the year. Backpacks allow you to express yourself and show off your favorite brands. Also people can choose certain brands for the amount of room they can store in the bag itself, some with many compartments. It's all in your own personal choice and preference. I really love the picture; it looks like it came out of a magazine!

Cara Richardson

Anonymous said...

This is a great post for describing the different backpack and tote bag trends around campus. It is very interesting to sit down and think about the many different types of bags and backpacks students carry on campus. They absolutely reflect personal style and this article gives an accurate summary of the many trends that can be seen around UK's campus. It is surprising how many different options there are for carrying your books to class. It is an easy way to add some style while walking to class and does not have to just be something you are simply carrying your books in. Backpacks and bags are definitely trendy items that can be very helpful in adding some style to a simple thing.
-Anne Hart Atchison

Anonymous said...

I always notice the different types of backpacks and bags carried around on campus. This post definitely sums up all the popular backpack/bag trends that are happening now. I bought a Longchamp tote a couple weeks after I came to UK because I had noticed them around campus and thought they were really cute! It's cool to see how many different styles of bags there are to simply carry books in.
-Paige Hofmann

Unknown said...

I totally agree with this post!! I have a Northface backpack and a vera bradley bag that I LOVE. I see people around campus with those same two things so i agree that it is very popular!
-Melissa Thompson

Anonymous said...

I also enjoyed reading this blog. I have noticed all of the cute backpacks that people have, and honestly its nice to know that the one i am using is unique. I also enjoyed reading about the pins too because i haven't noticed them alot and i'm always looking for cute ways to accessorize!
Kirsten Ramos

Rohan Johnson said...

This was an insightful blog. It definitely covers all the styles of bag packs students wear around campus such as the athletes that wear Nike bag packs to the sorority girls that carry around totes. Bag packs in high school never seemed to be as trendy in my opinion but it nows seems like they're a fashion statement in college.

Alyssa Allen said...

This is so true. Vera Bradley bags are huge at UK. I love walking around campus seeing everyone's bags. There is a huge range from LL Bean, Nike, sorority bags, and more. You nailed it on this post. It will be interesting to see if these styles change throughout the year with new bags coming out.

Anonymous said...

Backpacks are going to the most important item any college student will carry! just because it holds everything a purse cant. I love how backpacks are highly deorated name brand or not, now everyone has something differnt which contributes to the importance of being an individual.
-jannifer buchanan

Anonymous said...

Just because backpacks are used to carry stuff around, doesn't mean they can't be stylish! I've had my classic monogrammed L.L.Bean since the 8th grade, and it still does the job. But, when I don't have as much to carry I love pulling out some of my great totes! This post perfectly described every trend on campus. Great post!

-Danielle Haddad

Anonymous said...

Backpacks that other people carry always seem to catch my eye while I walk through campus. It does seem that everyone has the L.L. Bean backpacks. I just don't really understand what the fuss is about them. I think my Jamsport backpack looks just a fly! lol.

-Andrew Wyatt

Maggie Peddicord said...

I completely agree with the idea of an L.L. Bean backpack always being a staple! Mine has lasted me a few years now and it is surprisingly durable! I think the Vera Bradley “Tote” and “Vera” collections you mentioned are fashionably useful accessories. It is perfect for the days when you only need a few books, instead of the full load. Additionally, it’s strap drop handle and tortoise toggle allows it to be easily converted into a purse after class!

-Maggie Peddicord

Anonymous said...

I love this blog because (1) backpacks are such a common thing around school and (2) it's a easy way to be different. I've carried a backpack ever since I started school, but I feel as though they don't express who I am enough. Like she said, "for those who want to add a special chicness to their hike around UK’s campus"; that's the main reason why I go out and try to find that 'unquie' one that might catch someone else's attention!

Alexis Fentress

Anonymous said...

Elizabeth Griffith said....

I completely agree and have been seeing all these trends mentioned in the post everywhere. The L.L. Bean backpack will always be a classic, but new trends are being set. I know for sure that I will have a Longchamp bag down on my Christmas wish list this year! I have also seen tons of North Face backpacks, some have been in bright designs and colors which I didn't know they came in. I have to say I love my L.L. Bean. It carries everything and more and will never go out of style.

-Elizabeth Griffith

Julie Wallingford said...

These are definitely very popular on campus. However, the "designer" bags aren't exactly fashion forward seeing that they are a trend. I loved the tone of the blog, it was very inviting and an excellent read. But I would have loved to see some pictures of actual students! And definitely a wider variety of bags. I know I love carrying my TokiDoki around!

Caroline Frederickson said...

The North Face backpacks seem to be very popular around campus and can even be used for an overnight bag for a quick weekend trip home. Personally, i prefer messenger bags. Theyre different from the classic backpack, yet still practical.
-Caroline Frederickson

Jordan Jenkins said...

I really enjoyed this post! I think it truly reflects the diversity of our campus. I agree with Caroline, I've mainly noticed a plethora of students wearing North Face backpacks and a vast array of colors. I personally carry a Under Armour backpack in pink and black! I love it. It's very durable, weather resistant, has compontents for everything I need to carry and comes in a stylish color. Great post!

Morgan Spencer said...

I've never realized that such a simple accessory like the backpack could be such a popular trend. After reading this post I realized that on UK's campus there are many noticeable backpack trends. I feel like the trend I have noticed the most would be the Very Bradley totes. They are every where in numerous different patterns. I personally carry a plain black North Face backpack, and Im currently thinking of changing my backpack trend to something more new and fun!
Morgan Spencer

Anonymous said...

Some of my friends and I carry Henry Brown totes, a brand local here in Lexington, but can be purchased online as well. They have plenty of totes and bag options for everyone. You can monogram your name or organization on it!For those who are fashion conscious, I think big totes are good for school! Backpacks are very functional, but I think on UK's campus there is a trend of being fashion-forward and functional at the same time!
-Levy Bui

Unknown said...

Backpacks and totes are a great way to accessorize an outfit for class. I think that the type of back you carry says alot about the kind of person you are. You see the girls with the bright pink flowered bags to those with the athletic bag. Backpacks are becoming more and more unique and diverse. I think that the market for backpacks and backpack designs is growning at the is point in time greatly!
-Abby Hurley

Anonymous said...

I love this post! I think the writers did a good job pointing out many new backpack styles that are beginning to appear around campus. I think this post captures what this blog is about. It shows what is happening now, when people may not necessarily be aware of it.

-Rob Stromquist

Anonymous said...

I really like the pictures from this post. They were eye-catching and really connected to the topic of the post. I also enjoyed reading about all the different types of bags and what each one looked like. Mentioning the sorority totes also caught my attention because I too am in a sorority and I were my greek letter bags often.

-Elena Jones

Abby Theobald said...

Another really popular bag are the longchamp bags that girls are wearing these days. I have 3 myself and love every single one of them. They keep the rain out, and are fashionable at the same time. I use my bigger bag to carry around on campus with all my heavy books and it's great!
-Abby Theobald

Anonymous said...

Backpacks are very important in college due to how many heavy textbooks we have to carry. There are so many different styles and colors you can get. I love my north face and it has held up very well. You do see a lot of shoulder bags being carried as well. Agree with the post above Longchamp is a huge hit on campus and my big one is great to carry books in when I like to dress up a little.

Jessica Stockdale