Our 5 tips for your perfect backpack purchase.

So you wanna treat yourself and you’re in the mood for another backpack? Or your just confused with the amount of choose from?  With the onslaught of fashion on demand and the ever changing demands of us, the consumer.  And that’s me included, there’s now so much choice.  If you wanted you could find a unicorn backpack with butterfly wings and jet skis.  In all seriousness there is too much choice.

And if you’re not careful, you can end up buying a backpack, that doesn’t suit you and more importantly you don’t use.  As a backpack designer, its my job to look for funky and reusable materials.  At Nariva Boutique, ‘cos we love the environment, and we want it to be here for our children’s children to enjoy and thrive; so we choose sustainable where possible.  And everything is possible.

So how do you go about buying your perfect backpack or bag?

Here’s my five backpack purchasing top tips.

1. Leather is best

When we think of a backpack, we want to ensure that is strong and durable.  As our backpacks are constantly being thrown over our shoulders, hung on the backs of a chairs, slung on the carpet (notice I didn’t say floor, I never do that unless my backpack or bags has legs), storage for your books, note books, laptops, gym gear or simply your kids wardrobe.  Then leather is best. These days you can go for non leather options, but I love the way leather feels, and how it ages with each touch.  It gives your backpack a unique vibe and uber cool worn look.

2. Think functional

Ask yourself and be honest. What is the ONE thing you want out of this backpack?  What do you intend to use it for?  Is it an office number, travel number, or simply a fashion statement?  Beyond that you also need to think about what you would like to carry inside your backpack.  Do you just wanna cruise around and chilllax about, carrying basic gear like just your phone.

3. Detail not beauty

Ok so here you need to get up real close and examine said backpack.  Here are some basic detailing that you need to pay attention to.  Double and neat stitching on all handles, make sure the handles are double stitched (or reinforced), where they join the backpack.  Better yet handles should be double stitched, sometimes you can’t see this  – as Nariva Boutique handles are triple stitched inside the handles for extra neatness and security. But some luxury backpack designers skip this bit as it adds to the labour and therefore additional cost.

You want a bag that will last and that has been made well.

One of the things Nariva Boutique pride ourselves in, is with straight stitching. Double stitching, reinforced handles.  We also design our backpacks with several handles as we love the different ways you can carry your backpack.  Grab handles and adjustable straps.

Zips; are they metal? (so much better than nylon) and are the seams stitched rather than glued.  I also do the smell and feel test.  I pinch and smell the fabric to test its durability and stretch.  Does it move back in place.  Check it out next time you are in a department store.  If you are buying online, then check out the reviews.

4. Secure

Is this backpack secure?  Does it have flaps, tight draw strings and zips?  Now I’m not into wasting fabric and try and be functional in a minimalist way.  But a backpack that is carried on your back should be secure.

5. Shop around

Shopping around is a given right? Wrong!  I know that I can sometimes buy a item on a whim.   Its mostly to do with  how I feel at the time.  I ultimately want to purchase a backpack that I will  cherish for years to come.  One that will last too.  One that is both functional and beautiful.  And if you follow the above steps, I don’t think you can go wrong which your perfect backpack purchase.  I know that I like to be the one and only so tend to buy limited or exclusive.

For more information about Nariva Boutique backpacks please contact us here or via email: hello@narivaboutique.com we hand make limited edition leather backpacks in our UK studio.

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