The classic backpack will never go out of style.
Choose a great designer backpack and it’ll carry you from the daily commute, to after work drinks, through to weekends away and everything in between. Available in almost all shapes and sizes under the sun, the best backpacks are a wardrobe essential for anyone and everyone.
These investment pieces promise to liven up all kinds of outfits, whether you’re pairing them with office-wear or weekend clothes.
Of course, you wouldn’t necessarily select just one backpack for all occasions. Especially when you have such variety around. A large, laptop-approved, water-resistant backpack is your best bet for commuting, while a smaller option is more appropriate for carrying the essentials on a casual daytime occasion.
But, if you are looking for an all-rounder, you’ll find a few options below that fit all of the requirements and more.
Hands free travel? This way please.
Read on for all of the best designer backpacks.
Saint Laurent Jamie YSL-monogram drawstring leather backpack
Nothing says luxury like Saint Laurent - especially in the form of a leather backpack. Finished with a strap featuring a gold chain detail and the brand’s signature chevron matelassé, you’ll be the envy of the rucksack world.
Buy now £2045.00, MatchesFashion
Prada small logo-plaque backpack
It's difficult to scroll through Instagram for too long without seeing at least one Prada backpack and the small logo-plaque backpack is one of our favourites. Available in three fun shades, baby blue, cream or black, this spacious bag has plenty of individual pockets to keep everything in its correct place.
While it's an expensive bag, it's not a high maintenance one. Made from nylon, it's easy to clean this backpack if - heaven forbid - you do accidentally spill something on it. Taking refined elegance to the next level, this is a backpack you'll love for years to come.
Buy now £1224.00, Farfetch
Gucci Backpack with Interlocking G
For timeless vintage appeal, Gucci is always the answer. Crafted using the Italian luxury house’s signature monogram canvas with a brown leather trim, this will become a family heirloom that can be passed down from generation to generation.
Buy now £1500.00, MatchesFashion
Cambridge Satchel Co. The Portrait Backpack
Cambridge Satchel Co. definitely makes some of the suavest backpacks on the market, adding a formal touch to your outfit with a seriously high quality accessory to boot. Incorporating the brand’s iconic satchel design with the practicality and comfort of a backpack, the Portrait Backpack is a beautifully crafted bag made from brilliant quality leather.
It comes in two sizes - small or large - and a variety of colours, so you can keep it classic with a navy, oxblood or vintage shade or mix it up with brighter blue or something even louder. The brand’s embossing service adds a nice touch to make it uniquely yours.
Buy now £215.00, Cambridge Satchel Co.
Max Mara Leather-trimmed shearling backpack
For a backpack that essentially doubles up as a cosy cushion, Max Mara’s shearling design ticks all the boxes. In the brand’s signature style, it’s in a versatile brown hue with gold tone details that would look best worn with a full neutral ensemble. The best part? If you’re sleepy on your morning commute, lay on this and you’ll be dozing off in an instant.
Buy now £740.00, Net-A-Porter
Bottega Veneta Cassette Sailor Bag
If you’re not yet familiar with Bottega Veneta’s signature cassette construction, this backpack will bring you right up to speed. Crafted using woven strips of leather and canvas that create a distinctive checkerboard pattern, it’s a design that’s sought after by fashion editors and celebrities alike. Equal parts beautiful and practical, with a drawstring closure, you’ll be able to stuff this full of belongings and still look chic.
Buy now £2560.00, Bottega Veneta
Homme Plissé Issey Miyake Pleated arc backpack
Issey Miyake’s Pleated backpack is a little different from the usual, with an eye-catching design and muted colour scheme that’s unlike anything else in the backpack world. Its unique fabric means you’ll fit far more than anticipated inside this backpack thanks to its malleable shape.
With a zip closure and one main compartment, it’s a great day bag for bringing along on shopping trips or other casual occasions. It’s also available in jet black, if you’d prefer to turn the muted theme up a notch.
Buy now £595.00, End Clothing
Celine Mini Backpack Folco In Triomphe Canvas and Calfskin
French luxury fashion house Celine is the maser of understated French-girl-chic - and this dainty backpack is certainly no exception. Designed in the label’s iconic Triomphe canvas, with calfskin leather trimmings and a decorative gold tone buckle, it’s a masterclass in luxury.
Buy now £1400.00, Celine
Matt & Nat Bremen Vegan Backpack
Matt & Nat is one of the champions of the vegan bag game and the brand’s Bremen backpack is up there with the best. This sophisticated, perfectly sized backpack is spacious enough to comfortably hold a 15 inch laptop as well as all of your other daily essentials.
Travelling a little further? It also doubles up as a brilliant carry-on bag for weekend trips. Much like all of Matt & Nat’s bags, the Bremen backpack is totally vegan-friendly, made from entirely from recycled water bottles. Inside you’ll find a padded sleeve with tab closure, a zipper pocket, smartphone pocket, two pen slots and a patch pocket.
Buy now £168.00, Matt & Nat
Ted Baker Ted Belax Mock Croc PU Backpack
Ted Baker’s mock croc backpack, crafted using a sleek PU croc-style leather, is a suitable size for carrying all of the essentials. and will elevate any plain outfit in an instant. While you won’t quite squeeze a laptop in here, you’ll easily fit a water bottle, purse and a few other things.
Buy now £95.00, Ted Baker
Coach Baby Backpack In Signature Canvas
Known for a quality selection of leather goods, Coach is a surefire win when it comes to backpacks. Specifically made for busy parents, this bag is designed to hold all of your baby’s essentials, has a wipe clean interior, features a pullout changing pad, and is all packaged in the label’s trademark monogram canvas. You’ll be the most fashionable parent on the school run.
Buy now £495.00, Coach
Whistles Verity Backpack
An investment that will make an appearance season after season, Whistles’ Verity backpack is not only made to the highest standard but is also timelessly chic. Our favourite is the plum, but if you’re in the market for a different colour there are six available.
Buy now £280.00, Whistles
Burberry Jett Star checked cotton-blend backpack
Burberry's iconic pattern shouldn't just be reserved for trench coats, as proven by this cotton-blend backpack. Combining the signature brand print with a new-season update, this backpack is large enough to fit a laptop and plenty of other things at the same time.
A bit of a cult bestseller, this Burberry backpack is definitely not on the subtle side. Its bright tartan colour is one you'll spot a mile away. No worries there about your friends not spotting you at the station.
Buy now £949.00, End Clothing
Valentino Superman Backpack
Valentino’s Superman Backpack is a jack of all trades. Made from grained faux leather, it’s sleek and stylish and perfect for day to day travel. Looking a little like a modern day Mary Poppins’ bag, you’ll squeeze far more than anticipated into this backpack, be it an umbrella, your lunch, a tablet or all of the above. Be prepared to accidentally become that friend who always has the necessities to hand.
A great option for anyone looking for a new designer backpack who leans away from over the top branding, you’ll spy a subtle Valentino logo in the centre but nothing overly loud.
Buy now £129.00, House of Fraser
