How to Wear a Backpack and Look Professional

Knowing that what we wear at work immensely affects brand identity and how both clients and employees feel, most companies in Australia still prefer modern corporate uniforms or certain dress codes. It’s critical to appear professional in the workplace, even for employers who promote casual attire. Whatever the case at your company, if you care enough to show up looking sleek and smart at your job, you surely want to preserve the look regarding your choice of bag and accessories.

A backpack has been more synonymous with hikers and college students than a professional corporate look. The main reasons are the large pockets, dangling straps, and the vibrant colours and designs that most backpacks typically come in. Sporty packs aren’t appropriate for the workplace, either. However, things have changed!

Is It Professional to Wear a Backpack to Work?

Yes, it is, as long as you choose a well-looking and functional option and steer clear of all the previously listed features. These days, many of us work in both home and office settings, so it’s important to have a convenient and safe way to transport our laptops to and from work. A backpack is more comfortable to wear and frees up both hands when carrying many things, unlike messenger bags, briefcases, and tote bags. It’s also convenient for business travel.

Knowing the needs of modern corporate people today, many designers have created cutting-edge backpack designs, crafting them using contemporary materials to make our lives easier. Here’s what you need to know if you enjoy the practicality and ease of backpacks while still wanting to appear put together.

How Do You Look Professional with a Backpack?

You need to pick a backpack that is suitable for the workplace, has a sleek exterior, no noticeable pockets or compartments, and a clean, professional appearance. That said, the backpack should have pockets and compartments inside to make it easier to keep your work life managed and your technology safe.

Choose a model with an interior designed to keep your personal belongings, including clothing and hygiene, apart from your mobile workplace. Here are some things to consider when picking a professional designer bag, whether you need it for your upcoming business trip or your regular commute.

Colours and Styles

Why should colour be the primary consideration when purchasing an office backpack? Because the vivid colours and patterns are those that give a bag an unprofessional character. Since different businesses have different ideas about what professionalism looks like (that’s why dress codes range from business casual and formal to suit-and-tie attire), consider your workplace culture, including dress codes and logo colours when selecting a bag colour.

If your office is more business casual, bringing a backpack with more colours, such as red or a combination of two or three colours, is more appropriate. In business-formal settings, choose black, grey, dark blue, and green because these colours go well with most outfit combinations and scenarios.

Select briefcase-and-backpack styles for extremely professional settings so you can carry the bag briefcase-style to and from work and as a backpack on your commute or on your way home. For more versatility, go for an adaptable design that transitions from tote to backpack. You may carry it as a cosy backpack by clipping on the concealed straps or holding it in your hand for a more polished look.

Fabrics

Certain fabrics appear more streamlined than others. For example, if coated with moisture and stain-resistant materials, polyester and nylon will look clean and stay that way all day. Cotton and canvas are two textiles that are more susceptible to collecting stains, therefore you should avoid them as they could cause you to spend too much time cleaning your bag or cause you to retire it too soon.

Think about the inner fabric as well. Does it have an antimicrobial coating to prevent odours, mould, and mildew? Check the interior fabric for additional mildew, mould, and odour-resistant protection because it’s probably worse to smell terrible at work than to look bad.

Pockets

An excessive number of external pockets and other accessories make a backpack appear bulky. Additionally, if the pockets are improperly designed, they will cause your backpack to bulge in all directions. Opt for a designer backpack with multiple internal pockets and padded compartments to help you safely store everything you need for work or a city trip. Magnetic flaps and water-resistant zip closures will keep your gear safe while looking sleek and professional.

Straps

Steer clear of designs with loose, hanging straps. They not only look unprofessional, but they can also get stuck in subway doors, transit turnstiles, and your bicycle. On a business trip, even the shoulder straps should ideally be tucked away to prevent them from tripping over the baggage claim conveyor belt, falling into your neighbour’s seat, or hanging out into the aisle. Work backpacks with roll-top or flap-top closures are my favourite since they make it simple to fill your bag and provide rapid access to your equipment when you need it.