I’ve been having mixed feelings about the upscale backpack trend: designer bags that are made like handbags but are designed to be backpacks. Designer packs are by no means a new trend, but with summer and festival season in full bloom, these bags have been popping up more and more.

I like the look of these bags; classier than your typical school backpack, but a little more rugged and youthful than a handbag. But can a twenty-something who is years removed from her college days, but also years from needing both hands free to deal with kids, pull off this look? Backpacks (especially chic ones) are a great alternative to handbags when you are toting books to class or the kids to an amusement park. Being stuck in between these two life stages, could I wear one just because?  When it comes to style and what I like, I pretty much do what I want regardless of convention, so the answer is decidedly yes.

I went with a pack that could be held by hand as well as on the back, and one that had the chic details of a handbag, the only difference being the back straps. Although I love the look of the packs that are with out a doubt backpacks, I didn’t think I would get as much use out of it as I would a more subdued “crossover” between handbag and backpack.

Whether you are in school, have kids, or are in the middle like me, there is a backpack out there for you. So go forth and give backpacking a try.

|bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs| |romper: Victoria’s Secret| |hat: from Brim| |shoes: Pour La Victoire| |jewelry: kate spade| |sunglasses: Karen Walker|

Other great packs here, here, and here.