Chanel has a long history of making backpacks to be used in lieu of handbags. After all, they are the perfect hands-free accessory.

Backpacks (as handbags) enjoyed a surge of popularity in the 1980s and early 1990s, and Chanel backpacks from that era, typically made of quilted leather and having the double CC turnlocks, are still offered for sale in vintage stores and online.

The backpack fell out of vogue for almost two decades, but began making a comeback sometime around 2012. But, nothing put the backpack back on the fashion accessory “must have” list as the Chanel Graffiti Art School backpack in 2014. Made of canvas, the bag came in two sizes and three different colors. Underestimating demand, the bag sold out immediately and now commands prices in excess of three times its original retail price on the secondary market.

Chanel continues to prove that backpacks are for the fashion savvy. Since 2014, it has introduced new backpack styles every season. Among the most popular have been the Coco Cocoon backpack, the Mountain Shearling backpack and the Lambskin Flap backpack. Today’s modern and fashionable designs and lightweight construction (vis-a-vis the vintage ones) make the recent collections of backpacks the perfect accessory to carry everything needed during the day or overnight.