Monday 12 January 2009

Back(pack) to school

Whenever we are in a mile radius of Berwick Street, Susie cannot resist visiting her favourite treasure trove of handpicked women's (and men's) vintage, secondhand designer and high street clothing which is Bang Bang. As Susie rummages through the racks, I leave her to it and venture downstairs into the menswear department but as she constantly finds bargains, I have always left empty handed. The stock is frequently updated so it is all down to luck and timing but of course an eye for a bargain helps and I've never quite been able to find something which ticks all my boxes. Raf Simon coats and Savile Row suits are most common...it is all down to finding your size though which I struggle on.

When I ventured into the store this weekend I was greeted with a few sample pieces by the Australian designer, Material Boy. Mic Eaton, an ex-pro surfer, launched the label in 2003 in Perth but now divides his time between Melbourne and Indonesia. Topman Lens recently featured their designs and it is clear that this is a label which pushes menswear out of its comfort zone and it is hard not to admire the label’s originality. Ordinarily, I appreciate the designs but they aren't really to my taste...but that soon changed when I stumbled across a sample, black leather Rucksack...my Bang Bang cheery just had to be popped.

My childhood revisited - Vintage grey wool jacket, polka dot shirt by bstore, polka dot hankerchief, wrap trousers by Unconditional, white chukkas by Vans.

I've not used a backpack/rucksack in about ten years, during my last years of school and University I plumped for satchels and messenger bags instead. However, in recent months I have been on the look out for a desirable rucksack just because they are so darn useful! After seeing some of the pieces from the Raf Simons x Eastpak collaboration, I have been severely tempted on a number of occasions but I could never fully justify paying that sort of money for something which is fundamentally an Eastpak backpack...something we all had growing up. I needed something special and up stepped the offering from Material Boy.

(Feel free to click on the images to take a closer a look)

As I put the leather straps over my shoulders, a strange feeling came over me...I felt like a young boy again...was shopping or school my destination?...even Susie noticed a change. It was most strange and it soon passed as I became acquainted with my new favourite bag.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

My wonky shoulders are crying out for a ruckscak! So much harder for women tho.

Unknown said...

Congradulations, thats quite the buy. I feel your pain on the vintage front, myself being incredibly awkwardly sized. But bags are an easy fit, lucky for you.

I have a big place in my heart for vintage shoes, but being a size 12UK makes it an impossible pipe dream.

Ian Brown said...

Sick

Anonymous said...

The last time I used a backpack was in highschool. Having seen pictures of your amazing backpack, it makes me want to use one yet again!

John said...

Wearing a rucksack, especially an oversized one like that, will always make me feel like a little boy. he way they bounce up and down when you run. I always think of little Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone running arond the snowy streets with his rucksack on...

Matthew Spade said...

wow what i find! il bet that was quite expensive originally, just by going of their clothes prices! i have been looking for an alternative to all my regular bags but i havent really seen any backpacks that tickle my fancy. i feel the same about the eastpak collabos, way too steep.

TheSundayBest said...

That thing is HOOJ. Nice.

I might have something to show you in this regard in a few weeks.

Style Salvage Steve said...

Isabelle - I hear your pain...I have the worst shoulders for carrying totes, the straps always slip off.
Modernaged - Thanks! I am so happy with it. Good luck with your Vintage shoe hunt, the Borough Market area might have a few options.
Ian Brown - Sick indeed. I've still got a smile on my face because of it!
Wax - I'm glad that I've inspired you. it is always nice to feel like a kid again!
John - Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone has certainly left a lasting impression.
Mat Ahoy - I tried to find information about it online but couldn't. I picked it up for £80 and consider it a bargain.
TheSundayBest - oooh I'm intrigued. Can't wait.

WendyB said...

That's a spectacular bag!

chael said...

i've always preferred backpacks to messenger bags, because they're so convenient, and it provides kind of an everyday look even to an outfit that is a little more unusual. i feel awkward with a totebag, but i guess that's just because i haven't found the right one for me yet.

Deniss aka Tõnis Kaare said...

Backpack were rediscovered by me in Seol last November, as selection of them there is just huge. Now, when I'm back in Europa I simply can't find THE one for me :(

http://www.yesstyle.com/en/Product.aspx?pid=1014010583&section=bags

Ca said...

I also have a black leather backpack, always makes me feel like the perfect school boy! And it's old so the leather is perfectly soft.

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