The Evolution Of The Backpack: School Bags Have Changed, Adorable Children Have Not

Backpacks Have Changed... Adorable School Children Have Not

As much as she may lament the end of summer, a true HuffPost Style-ite never feels sad when heading back to school -- after all, what better setting is there to show off a cool new school bag?

Since schools today require heavy textbooks (and laptops), stylish schleppers prefer double-strapped bags to the smart-looking satchels of yore, as backpacks can bear more weight and are better for your back. But how did we get from these small carryalls to the patterned nylon (sometimes wheeled, even) monstrosities today? Let's take a spine-friendly walk down memory lane, all the way from the neat streets of the 1930s to Princess Isabella's first day of school this year. Look out for more studious royals along the way!

1930s:

Schoolkids didn't even have bags yet -- just leather straps that held their books together.

1930

1940s:

In this decade, we start to see rad plaids and the modern backpack silhouette.

1940

1940

1950s:

One-strap styles become popular, as do leather backpacks and patterned lunchboxes (because even sandwiches need style help sometimes).

1950

1950

1955

1955

1955

1957

1959

1960s:

Many modern purses take cues from this era, during which we see more leather bags with short handles.

1960

1962

1965

1967

1970s:

The satchel reigns supreme.

1970

1971

1981

1980s:

Graphic novelty bags gain traction. Royals pledge their allegiance to Thomas the Tank Engine.

1986

Prince William, 1986

1987

Prince Harry, 1987

1989

Prince William and Prince Harry, 1989

1990s:

Hello, nylon!

1990

1993

1997

2000s:

Millennials require airport-ready backpacks that can maneuver themselves -- a symptom of how heavy our oversized backpacks have become.

2000

2006

2010s:

Patterns and name-brands like Jansport are in vogue. Keychains (like the Kipling monkey below) are still going strong.

2010

Princess Isabella, 2010

2010

2013

Princess Isabella, 2013

2013

2013

These bags are quite literally too cool for school:

Damien Hirst & The Row

The Most Expensive Bags

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