backpacks
 

For the entire first semester, I carried this bag (Well, this bag with MY letters on it)

And now, 1. it's falling apart and 2. my back is begging me to do something different next semester.

I'm trying to find a backpack (I can't really come up with another solution-between the canvas tote my sisters gave me on bid night and the one I showed above, I was really uncomfortable. But please give me any suggestions you have!), but all of the backpacks I've seen have looked like this (too bulky) or this (I mean, it doesn't look particularly durable, but if anyone has experience, please let me know!).

My last consideration was to go out, buy a backpack and put letters on it, but I reconsidered because one chapter on my campus uses a backpack (well, they have a whole bunch of bags their girls use, but a lot of them use the backpack), and theirs is just a regular backpack with sewn-on letters, so I don't want to look like I'm copying them. I just want to be able to wear my letters without being incredibly uncomfortable.

I guess my question is this: do you have any suggestions for a backpack with letters (vendors or styles)? Thanks for any suggestions!

I wear one in this style with my letters on it.

http://www.greekgear.com/custombackpack.html

I carried one very much like this http://www.eastpak.com/uk-en/delegate-absurd-aqua.html
http://www.eastpak.com/uk-en/delegate-absurd-aqua.html in lavendar through all 4 years (and 1 summer school!) and ended up giving it to someone when I didn't need it any more. I'd take durable over customizable any day, but you may be able to find something similar at LL Bean or Lands End that they can put your letters on.

I would probably get one of The North Face's backpacks designed for women in a color that looks most like one of your sorority colors and then take it to a local embroidery place to have your letters added in the other color or something that makes a nice contrast.

Another idea is that you could get a normal backpack (like a North Face) and just buy some buttons for it? A couple of my sisters put buttons like this on their backpacks here. Just a thought.

What about this one? Basic, not to bulky but durable? I think a monogram is always classy and cute, but I'm sure they'd do Greek letters instead if you asked.
One of these with your letters (they do monograms, so they can probably do letters)? There are a variety of styles and colors.
In general if you're just googling around to see what you can find, rather than search "Greek letter backpack" or whatever, or looking only on Greek sites, see if you can find a style/color combination of backpack that you're happy with, contact the company to see if they do embroidery, and do it that way. Or buy a backpack that you like, online or in a store, and take it to a shop to be embroidered...shouldn't put you out too much.

I like this idea the best. Less expensive and you can get exactly the bag you want. (And can take the buttons off if you leave campus or find yourself in a Greek unfriendly environment.)

Thank you all for the ideas.

I discovered earlier today that my sister did not take my backpack from my last year of HS. I bought a really great backpack and I was sure she took it, but I guess not. This is that bag.

I'm thinking about getting letters stitched onto it, either by a) just getting them embroidered or b) going to a local fabric store, cutting the letters myself and having someone sew them on for me. I can also get buttons, but I definitely want to make sure my letters are as visible as possible when I'm in the SC environment.

Either way, I'm so glad I have this bag available, because it's an incredibly useful bag.