Backpacktastic

So if you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen over the weekend that I managed a trip with the best friend and the children (not the rugby playing ones but the others) to Kilver Court.  Also known as the Mulberry Outlet..... Well, there is a lot more there now than just Mulberry - Joseph, Jack Wills (small girls were thrilled.  Although the 7yr old was rather gutted there was nowhere to buy an Arsenal away kit...?!), LK Bennett, Margaret Howell, Toast and MiH jeans.  I managed to bag a couple of bargains (and yes, they are bargains which I will report back on in the next couple of days) but didn't cave on anything in Mulberry (there may have been a Mulberry bag on one of the pics on Insta but that was my friend's pink suede coat... yes a pink suede coat.  It is amazing.  And was reduced by 90%.  You couldn't leave it there for that, could you?). 

But there was a bag that caught me eye, which has been on my mind for a while - not this particular bag but had this one not been £800odd, I would have snapped it up in a heartbeat as it's exactly what I've been thinking I need (that's need with a very small "n" can I please point out).

Here is the rather fabulous bag in question.  So so clever.  It's called the Cara.  Which - I'm not going to lie to you, was absolutely no selling point to me whatsoever.  In fact, the opposite.  I'm 43 year old - do I aspire to own a bag because it is designed (I'm assuming she had a modicum of input and wasn't give free reign but then again, we all know what assume makes, don't we?!) by Cara Delevigne.  That'll be no.  A big fat no.

But there's no taking away from the fact that it's a superb backpack.  The versatility of it is ridiculously clever - two different ways to carry it as a backpack - one which makes it lie flat, one which err doesn't (but is still quite cool believe me - inspite of the name I couldn't find fault with this bag), cross body, shoulder bag or handheld.  LOVE it.  Don't love the price. 

The one above is much bigger than the ones they have for sale at the mo.  Very useful mind you.

This is the mini quilted Cara available now at £995 


Or the plain black which is what I was looking at (the oversized version) and I think what I'd go for (in another lifetime...).

Mini Cara Backpack from Mulberry £845




I know exactly what I'm after - plain, minimalist and black.   All sounds rather exciting doesn't it?  Not.  

I am however open to ideas... in fact I have looked at these before and never got round to getting one but the seed has grown... 

And I found this one at Net A Porter (thought I may as well get some inspiration whilst I was hanging out with the Caras there). 

Oh the irony - another Kara.  A brand which I've never heard of - Kara. 

Small Leather Backpack by Kara from Net A Porter £335  Which is quite a lot for a brand I've never heard of (apologies Kara).










Also on the wishlist would be the Spitalfields Medium Flapover Backpack from Radley at £190



Or.. there is the rather divine Soho Backpack also from Radley £199




But then there is the supremely lustworthy rucksack from Loxley which I discovered on Instagram.  Not cheap but oh so absolutely gorgeous. 

Mini (it's not so mini at all) Gloucester Rucksack in Glossy Black from Loxley England £395



Or there is the black Verity backpack from Whistles which is simply gorgeous (as are they are, by all accounts...) £280



Love this one which is half price at ASOS and unearthed from the men's section.  

Smith And Canova Leather Backpack was £195 now £125



Now moving onto some more reasonable options although I have to say, I think this is quite a lot still for faux leather (but then I guess compared with what Stella charges, tis peanuts). 

Very much reminds me of the Givenchy one which is ten times as much.

Matt & Nat Brave Backpack £85



A much better price for faux leather (although only as it's half price) from Liquorish. 

Liquorish Backpack was £70 now £38



I have to say, this is probably my favourite of the faux leather ones. 

Urban Originals was £70 for £38



Moving slightly off piste (from my very specific brief - still very much in black backpack territory), we have tassels at Next. 

Black Tassel Rucksack from Next £36




One of my bargains of the day has to be the curved style smooth one from ASOS. 

ASOS Clean Curved Rucksack £28



But I think the winner goes to Topshop.. 

Fold Over Backpack from Topshop £28 Is there nothing they can't pull out of the bag at the moment?  (bar jeans - I'm not loving their jeans...)







So the more the look, the more I think I need one... Perfect surely for Disney in October? (clutches at straws....).  Have you joined the backpack bus yet? (not really selling it by calling it that, am I?!)

From a handy backpack to the most ludicrous not so user friendly bag today (ie my purse can't fit in it so I have to take my cards and cash out which is irritating much).  However I do adore it and despite it's limitations, think I should use it on a daily basis much more regularly. 

And what's the obvious choice for the hottest day of the year so far?  Well that will be black from head to almost toe obviously.  Jollying my Grim Reaper costume up with red shoes.  Trip to London for some meetings and then 90 minutes on the train home on what should have been a 25 min journey.  Yawn.




Black crepe tunic top - Zara
Black ankle skimmer zip jeans - Boden
Black military jacket - Zara
Red loafers - Gucci
Leopard bag - Tory Burch

The bag was from Bicester a couple of years ago and speaking of bags.. guess where I'm off tomorrow?  Yes a swifty trip to Bicester.  Haven't been for ages and the last time I went (on my birthday) I bought the sum total of absolutely nothing.  Didn't intend to buy anything at the weekend although came home with a couple of things.  This perhaps doesn't bode well....