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I could not stop grinning while looking at this new backpack from Lo & Sons (which they so generously sent me to take a look at). They always, always, ALWAYS just do the little details so much better than anyone else.
First, the basics: it’s a black nylon backpack. It has a shoe pocket, a key leash, METAL FEET (huzzah!), a padded laptop sleeve, and a travel sleeve so you can attach it to your rolling suitcase. (I’m not sure who claims credit for inventing the travel sleeve, but Lo & Sons bags were definitely the first ones where I noticed the travel sleeve.)
Next, the tiny stuff I haven’t seen many other places: the travel sleeve has a zipper at top and at bottom so it can be a sleeve OR a pocket. There are two water bottle pouches on the side of the backpack that have ZIPPERS so you can make them bigger or smaller depending on what you want to stash there. There are mesh pockets literally everywhere inside the bag, sewn down in the center so they’re not too large or flappy. I also think it’s really smart that they use shiny metal zippers (gold or silver) for the obvious zippered compartments, but matte black zippers for a lot of the other compartments — I imagine it makes the bag more secure from pickpockets, as well as keeping the bag from looking overly zippered or blingy.
The main part of the bag can be shallow or deep depending on whether you use the included internal organizer — you can use the bottom part of the bag for shoes or similar (with its own discreet zippered access on the front of the bag, behind another zippered pocket), or remove the internal organizer to have a normal deep backpack. (It attaches with a series of snaps and loops.) The laptop sleeve is in its own individually zippered compartment, independent of the depth of the main compartment. (SO SMART!)
The big thing that I haven’t seen elsewhere: the detachable crossbody. It’s so cool! The top of the backpack attaches to the body with a zippered flap, and this crossbody zippers on TOP of the flap so that if you remove it, your bag still remains closed and zipped. (There’s a small magnet to keep it in place.) The pouch has a nice long key leash inside. It comes with a crossbody strap for you to attach, or you can use your own. The crossbody isn’t a huge bag, but it’s perfect if you’re traveling lightly and don’t want to bring a backpack and a purse.
They have a great 40-second video that shows you all of the bells and whistles — it’s all just really, really smart.
The Melrose rucksack is $498, available with gold or gunmetal hardware in black, navy, or a really pretty dark green. The black bags have three different choices for the fabric interiors.
Sales of note for 5/8/25:
- Nordstrom – Up to 50% off select styles + 15% off fragrance (exclusions apply; ends 5/11) + give $150 in gift cards, earn a $25 promo card (ends 5/13)
- Ann Taylor – 30% off your full-price purchase + extra 40% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 40-60% everything + extra 25% off
- Boden – 10% off new women’s styles
- Eloquii – $25+ select styles + extra 45% off all sale
- J.Crew – Up to 50% off must-have styles + extra 50% off select sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything + extra 50% off clearance
- M.M.LaFleur – Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off.
- Rothy’s – Up to 50% off last-chance styles + gift cards give $100, get $20
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – 25% off all tops, pants, jeans, and shorts + 25% off all markdowns