This ’90s Classic Mini Find Is So Nostalgic — Plus, It’s Practical

I absolutely love my L.L. Bean Boat and Tote, but when it became my diaper bag for my 7-month-old, I realized it wasn’t quite equipped for the task. It lacked separate storage compartments, so I’d constantly be digging around in my bag for something I needed, rather than knowing where it was in a pinch. Then I found the perfect diaper bag when my neighbor sent me a photo of the backpack she’d just ordered for her son. 

To my surprise, it was a true throwback to my childhood: a royal blue Junior Original Book Pack backpack with his name printed in the iconic “Athletic” font across the back. This was the backpack of the late ’90s. I remember every elementary schooler whose parents were in-the-know proudly carried an L.L. Bean primary color backpack — nearly always red or blue — emblazoned with their block print initials across the back. It was always nearly as big as the kids were, with its reflective stripe gleaming in the school-day sun.

I knew instantly that this could be the perfect diaper bag — and I was totally right.

The L.L. Bean Junior Original Book Pack is the miniature size of the original book pack. It’s designed for kids aged 4 and up, and L.L. Bean says that the backpack can fit a lunch box, toys, and an extra set of clothes. The shoulder straps are made to fit smaller kids, although I do wear it over my arms, too. It comes in six different colors: bright neon pink, purple clover, red, royal blue, surf blue, and Kelly green. Each bag can be monogrammed for an additional $10 and up to 10 characters. 

I opted for initials in the “Block” font. It came in quickly, in all of its royal blue, first-day-of-school (or daycare) glory. It has two simple pockets — one main pocket and one smaller pocket with a key clip, which is great for easily accessing my keys — and a few additional storage sections in the front and a water bottle pocket on the side. It’s just enough storage to be helpful, without overwhelming the bag with too many hidden compartments. 

I love the backpack so much. I figured that while it will be a daycare diaper bag for now, one day my kid might want to bring it to school too. And while that’s exactly what the bag was for, it became more of a purchase for myself. 

Although its primary use was to be a diaper bag for my kiddo, it unexpectedly became the perfect nostalgic ’90s bag for toting around all my weekend items. Yes, I love a tote bag for going to the farmers market, but if I need closed storage then this is the bag of the weekend. It’s far more comfortable to throw a backpack on than carry a tote in the crook of my elbow or even over my shoulder, and the ability to toss my wallet in the front rather than into a cavernous single section is a game changer.

Does it have the same level of sophistication of a tote bag? Absolutely not. But it does have that retro look that pairs perfectly with jean shorts and a striped tee in the summer, and all of the practicality and comfort of a backpack. This is the kind of bag that brings to mind long summer afternoons that stretch into golden hour. It’s casual and effortless, and I’ve been stealing it from my son.

It might be time to order one with my own monogram — although I might go for the original size, not the mini.  A royal blue backpack of my own, to match my royal blue Boat and Tote, might be calling my name.

Buy: L.L. Bean Junior Original Book Pack, 17L, $39.95