The quad is buzzing with students as they return from winter break, excited to catch up with their friends, see their professors and get back into the rhythm of their routine. Many students are starting the new year with new resolutions bringing their new mindsets, goals and new gifts to campus for a fresh and exciting new start. Tote bags seemed to dominate wish lists this holiday season due to their effortless and chic look. I will be the first to admit, I also was that girl hoping to unwrap a navy Longchamp, envisioning how put together and “girl boss” I would look and feel stepping into 2026. The switch from backpacks to tote bags is hard to miss on campus. While Longchamp bags were always popular, they continue to be on the rise with their navy, brown and black bags being the most frequent colors bought. Goyard bags are also seen and admired for their beautiful patterns and look of luxury.

Even though tote bags are gaining popularity, backpacks haven’t gone out of style. After all, they’ve been the go to choice since grade school, so it’s no surprise some people question why they should ditch what’s familiar for something arguably less practical, especially when bulky totes can be harder to carry around in the winter. Backpacks embody practicality and function since it is less straining on your body, can easily zip and be used for a variety of belongings. Backpacks are associated with back-to-school and school in general. Most of us recall the excitement of back-to-school shopping in elementary school being accompanied with buying a new backpack and lunchbox with your favorite cartoon. That idea is so romanticized that children’s backpacks reemerge senior year as seniors sport these backpacks on the first day of school. As you take pictures at senior sunset with Disney Princess, StarWars, Elmo and Roblox backpacks alongside your friends, it brings you back to a time when you were younger, showing that fashion can represent something much bigger than just the bag itself. While some people buy new backpacks, the older you get, the more likely you are to be attached to one bag, knowing where everything is and appreciating it for its durability and multi-use. It has almost become a staple or sort of comfort item to them. Both mindsets reflect how bags serve as a form of self-expression. Whether someone starts the new year with a fresh bag or sticks with a trusted favorite, they’re making a choice that reflects their personal style and how they use it.

There isn’t a single right answer because the campus is clearly divided on which type of bag reigns supreme. Some students argue that tote bags feel more polished and professional. Buying one now is an investment for the future because it is ideal for internships, business settings or post-grad city life. Other students argue backpacks are perfectly designed for the busy life of a student because it offers comfort, space and practicality. So, is the choice really about convenience, or more about fashion and self expression? If it is about fashion and self expression, who is to say totes are better at expressing that? After all, backpacks can be creative and complement outfits well. If convenience is the deciding factor, maybe we’ll see a return to backpacks over time. If it’s about personal style and identity through trends, tote bags might hold their spot as a lasting statement piece on campus.