Stop the search: I have found your new favorite purse for traveling, day trips, or literally any random occasion. Meet the Camilla Convertible Backpack by Fossil. (And no, this is not sponsored. It’s just a damn good bag.)
I’ve never been big on backpacks. They were largely banned at my high school for security reasons and I stupidly refused to carry one in college for the sake of style. When I was preparing for our trip to Disney I spotted this cute Minnie backpack on sale and thought it would be perfect for days in the park, even if it was a boring backpack and not my traditional handbag; I felt so much better without my typical sore shoulder or cluttered hands that by the end of the vacation I knew it was my new travel must have.
Instead of finding a non-Disney backpack to use while traveling, I sought out something convertible. Why? Backpacks can pull up the back of short dresses, which I often wear and therefore bring on vacation. Combination purse/backpacks are far from new, but this is the first affordable version I’ve seen and liked. Too often I think the bags either look like backpacks while being carried or look like purses strapped to your back, both of which frankly suck. This Fossil Camilla Convertible Backpack can be carried three ways: as a tote bag; as a shoulder/crossbody bag with an extendible, detachable strap; or as a backpack with two extendible, detachable straps. Its utilitarian shape, while purse-like in nature, doesn’t look out of place as a backpack—and its thick leather feels like the kind that will only look better with age. Is it weird to love a purse?
Currently wearing… Dress, Free People [HERE] | Camilla backpack, Fossil [HERE] | Shoes, Naturalizer [SIMILAR] | Earrings, vintage [SIMILAR] | Choker [SIMILAR] | Sunglasses [SIMILAR] | Necklace, Brooklyn Charm
Oh, and before I forget! I scored this satchel on sale. How? I signed up for Fossil emails! Sign up using the pop-up on the homepage and check your email for a 25% off coupon. Ta-da!
So what did I carry in that bag during our NYC vacation? Let’s peek in!
Inside my vacation purse… External charger, Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick, Lancome powder foundation, Smith’s Rosebud Salve, Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit, camera, water, sunglasses, hand sanitizer, mints
An external phone charger is my No. 1 travel must have, for obvious reasons. This isn’t the exact version I have (I got mine for free at last year’s BlogHer, actually) but it’s about the same size, which is perfect for a day trip that requires both photo snapping and Uber calling. For cosmetics, I always carry a lipstick, face powder, and lip balm to keep things light but picture ready. Normally I also have a small bag of emergency essentials, but we were gifted Pinch Provisions kits at this year’s conference and they’re a perfect (smaller) replacement. Everything else is pretty standard: water, my camera, sunnies, and hand sanitizer. And the mints? I began eating these somewhat obsessively after I quit smoking a few years ago. Travel is stressful so you know I need a pack, or three, to get by.
It looks like I might be going out of town again this weekend, which means this bag is about to get some more use.
What are your must-have travel bag items? Tell me in the comments!
I was actually going to buy a purse for traveling too. Now I think I’ve made my final decision. I have a backpack and a 1 convertible that I got from sole society last year and I loved it. Thank you for the post!