The thought of a backpack can conjure images of elementary school hallways or that summer in Europe when you didn`t shower as often as you would have liked. Forget that. When chosen and styled correctly, a backpack can be an indispensable part of a woman`s wardrobe. Think of them as a hands-free approach to a purse.

A backpack isn`t a frivolous buy though. Oftentimes they`re an investment, so you`ll want to make sure you love every inch of it before committing. That`s why we went on a mission to find the best of the best backpacks on the market now, using stylists` recommendations as well as our first-hand experience.

Ultimately, a backpack must work for your everyday needs. Will you be carrying it to work or along the hiking trails? Can it fit your laptop? Does it have adjustable straps that can be fine-tuned depending on if you`re wearing a linen dress or a thick knit turtleneck? While you have to answer those questions for yourself, we found that The Dakota Backpack from Dagne Dover checked all of our boxes, proving to be the perfect mix of fun and functional.

Strap in and read on for our top 11 best backpacks for women.