Photo by Josiah Weiss on Unsplash
Fashion can be about so much more than looks and style. Functional fashion elevates the design, ensuring that clothing and accessories prioritize practicality and performance, not over aesthetics but as a complement to them. Examples of functional fashion can include puffer jackets with detachable hoods, sneakers with built-in arch support, smartwatches with health monitoring, and even jackets with hidden compartments. While there are numerous clothing and accessory examples of functional fashion, almost nothing beats the functionality of the simple black backpack. Backpacks take function to a whole new level with side compartments, hidden pockets, and expanding bags. Whether you are out and about on a day trip, exploring further afield in a foreign city or even hiking up the side of a mountain you are going to need a decent backpack.
The Backpack
A traditional backpack served a utilitarian purpose: to carry items to and from school, campgrounds, or hiking trails. Despite its humble beginnings, the bag is now a fashion icon, appearing in casual and professional settings and appearing on runways and fashion blogs. It is a symbol of functional fashion.
Backpacks represent functional fashion for several reasons. First, they offer versatile organization and storage options. You can find bags with dedicated compartments for laptops, water bottles, pens, and other essentials. Second, backpacks provide hands-free functionality, allowing you to travel with all your necessary belongings without hindering movement and flexibility. Third, backpacks are adaptable, meaning they can transform from durable outdoor bags to sleek, professional tag-a-longs. Finally, the bags provide the opportunity for personal expression.
Despite its humble beginnings, the backpack transcended its utilitarian origins to become a fashion symbol for the functional style movement. It is common to see backpacks in offices, schools, fashion runways, and various social events as well as looking stylish out on the trail.
Functional and Stylish
Backpacks are functional and stylish. While function is obvious, some people may struggle to see the stylishness of the bags. Typical backpack images are of colorful, plasticky bags with cartoons, similar to school lunch pales; that does not represent all bags, especially today. Modern backpacks use rugged and sleek materials. You can find bags in vegan or high-grade leather and superior canvas, revealing unique textures and patterns.
While backpacks must maintain their durability to remain symbols of functional fashion, modern bags don’t need to use vinyl-like materials to ensure waterproofing or weatherproofing. Also, the level of sophistication depends on the wearer. You can still find playful backpacks with a retro feel that are throwbacks or worn ironically. Also, you can make your bag your own by attaching pins, patches, and keychains. Backpacks can still be playful and reminiscent of childhood, but they can also be sleek, modern, and professional.
This year, focus on functional fashion rather than just aesthetic. Find clothing and accessories that offer more than looks. Look for items that provide storage and multi-use. A backpack is a superior example of functional fashion, and currently, you can find bags that represent high-end fashion, professional fashion, and casual design. Backpacks offer so much more than style; they provide practical use, expecially for travellers.
