Rise of the Lady Backpack: Some white-collar women are ditching their purses for a more practical toting solution (The Atlantic)
- Thread starter Piecake
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As a guy, I've always been mad confused by purses, high heels and other impractical "female" things like lack of pockets on clothing. Almost a bit of a cringe to say it but it all feels like female designed items are built to oppress, rather than to facilitate ease of use.
I just can't imagine having to run about with my hands full of some dumb bag when I could just wear it on my back, or on a strap.
I just can't imagine having to run about with my hands full of some dumb bag when I could just wear it on my back, or on a strap.
Purses can be practical though. You probably arent gonna be carrying a backpack into a movie theatre, restaurant, concert, bar etc.
People might think you're carrying a bomb.
At work (which is what the article is about) it's a rather recent trend.
Ok? I'm just saying women have been using backpacks as purses for a long time (including at work). No need to be agro about it. It's not that big of a deal. lol
My wife changed jobs and now works downtown. Her previous office was closer and she had a parking spot so she drove. Never was able to work from home so didn't really need to bring anything back and forth.
She has no parking downtown, and while it is a 20 mile commute it would take her an hour and a half, or more, each way. So she takes the train. She also gets to work from home once or twice a week, does some work at home in the evenings, meaning she has to carry a laptop and notebooks back and forth.
So she is ditching her purse for a backpack. It makes the most sense for her. She originally thought about a laptop sleeve but to her it is basically a fashion item with absolutely zero utility.
She has no parking downtown, and while it is a 20 mile commute it would take her an hour and a half, or more, each way. So she takes the train. She also gets to work from home once or twice a week, does some work at home in the evenings, meaning she has to carry a laptop and notebooks back and forth.
So she is ditching her purse for a backpack. It makes the most sense for her. She originally thought about a laptop sleeve but to her it is basically a fashion item with absolutely zero utility.
Idk how you all do backpacks in the summer. I tried during vacation and I sweat so much wearing one. I must not have gotten the right backpack
I've definitely noticed more people with backpacks going to work than before. Especially those with ridiculously packed ones that bump into you or push against you on a packed train or bus.
As someone who doesn't sweat more than the average, how do backpacks make it worse for those who do? Back sweat or something?
As someone who doesn't sweat more than the average, how do backpacks make it worse for those who do? Back sweat or something?
My back is wet all the time if I wear a backpack. It's the worst when I'm commuting and have to enter an airconditioned room afterwards. I usually carry a spare shirt with me.
I guess I'll have to check out if there's something wrong. I'm a pretty normal in-shape dude, not overweight or anything yet I sweat like a pig sometimes.
It could be the bag or the clothing fabric. Even in the summer when I'm walking around I don't get sweat directly on my back unless I'm riding a bike. Higher quality back packs usually address by putting more breathable designs & material on the straps & back
Yes New York is one of the places where it's on the rise the most as said in the OP's quotes.
Bands of sweat where the straps touch the upper chest and back for me, can be pretty noticeable depending on on the shirt I'm wearing.
I hope so. Did you know most women's dress pants don't have pockets? I also have a bunch of business casual pants that have pockets that are so small that they might as well have not bothered. Lot's of our suit jackets have fake pockets too - just decorative. Everything about women's clothes sucks.
I've carried a backpack or messenger bag for years because I hate purses and someone decided we didn't need pockets.
They are late to the party then. Been a thing for a bit now.
What's your point then? The comment was about women using them and you said it's not the norm for work and we're telling they are.
I see a lot of people around NJ also using backpacks over big purses.
...that's what I was referring to.
Cool kids sew their own pockets on skirts though.
Every woman (and man) would benefit from a backpack or something to offset the strain of weighing down one side of your body for a long period of time. Heavy purses are damaging.
Society is not ready for women with pockets.
I'm assuming "back pack" is just a catchall. I use a leather briefcase. Most of my associates use leather or canvas messenger bags. My wife currently just uses a large tote.
Fjällräven backpacks have been extremely popular with young women around here for a few years now.
OP
OP
What's the rationale for women's clothes not having pockets or functional pockets? Style or something?
I never leave home without it. Easy way to sneak in...things to...places. ;)
Just overall a great accessory!
This person knows what's up.
Maybe one day our granddaughters will wander the radioactive wastelands with beautiful pockets large enough to hold all the scrap they can scavenge.
Agreed that it makes little sense to not include pockets, or at least functional pockets in clothing. I'm a guy who loves cramming as much crap into my pockets as I can and I have to roll my eyes every time I'm with my friend who always wears pants either with no pockets, or very shallow pockets so his wallet and whatnot keeps falling out.
On a funny sidenote, the subject made me think of Star Trek Deep Space Nine talking about Ferengi women and how pockets, in part, would help expand their planets workforce:
"By the late 24th century, females made up 53.5% of the Ferengi population and some Ferengi began to realize that exclusion of females from business represented a significant loss of profit opportunities. In the latter half of the century, Ishka – Quark's mother – and Grand Nagus Zek led a movement aimed at reforming cultural traditions that had excluded women, starting by giving females the right to wear clothing. The idea was that giving females that right allowed them to have pockets. Once they had pockets, they would likely want to fill them with latinum, so they were going to need jobs. After they started earning latinum, they were going to want to spend it, which meant Ferenginar would expand its workforce and consumer base at the same time."
Source
Pockets for everyone I say! :)
backpacks are even easier for pickpockets to open and steel content than a should purse
I hate backpaks because they are a blight in public transit
I hate backpaks because they are a blight in public transit
