Madewell Transport Rucksack Backpack

I’ve lusted after Madewell’s Transport Rucksack for the longest time. After the initial run sold out, I checked back every so often to see if they’d restock. Given how happy I am with my Transport tote and that AMAZING leather, I thought the backpack would be the same amazingness just in a different package. Plus backpacks are better for travel. I got it last week, here’s a picture of how it was packaged:

Madewell Transport Rucksack Backpack

That is to say, not much packaging, just the bag in a plastic bag. When I lifted the bag out of the box, I was surprised at how heavy it was. Probably the heaviest bag I’ve ever had. There is some stuffing inside but how much could those fluffy tissues weigh?

Madewell Transport Rucksack Backpack

The color is spot on. A bit lighter than my Transport tote, but it’s a very rich, beautiful cognac. I noticed the flap portion is relatively natural looking with striations and some pebbling but the rest of the bag is very, very smooth. The leather is thick and pretty stiff.

Madewell Transport Rucksack Backpack

The leather was so stiff in fact that it seemed a bit difficult to maneuver this drawstring as the folds of the “bucket” were not so willing to be folded. This is probably something that will soften up with wear. I hope.

Madewell Transport Rucksack Backpack

The inside is black canvas, with nice zippered and unzippered pockets for all your loose misc things. Pretty convenient.

Madewell Transport Rucksack Backpack

When I went to close up the flap, I realized this was a flaw of the bag. There’s no magnetic snap-in-place closure, it’s just that hole with the tiny knob. You have to push the hole through the knob by pushing it against the bag body, which is soft and simply moves back when you push on it. Took me a few minutes just to close it. Can’t imagine how hard it’d be to do if it was slung on my back and I was on the go.

Madewell Transport Rucksack Backpack

Here’s a comparison picture with my Transport tote for size comparison. Similar, but the Transport tote is so light compared to this bag and feels easily accessible. Also notice the difference in leather type; the tote is very pebbled and more “raw” feeling, whereas the rucksack looks much smoother and more refined.

Madewell Transport Rucksack Backpack

Everyone’s preferences in leather are different, but for me, I love the raw, pebbled leather where there are striations and imperfections in the leather. The more smooth leather feels overly processed to me and I’m not sure it’ll age as well. However, from my experience with the Transport tote, I know each batch and each bag is different. I’ve seen plenty of super smooth and plasticky looking Transport totes, so I’d recommend ordering a few or picking one out in the store.

If you’re interested in the rucksack, get it here for $198 from Madewell. Also available in Wine and Black. If you’re interested in the Transport tote, it’s even cheaper at $168. Get it here.

Madewell x English Saddle = Love

It’s probably more than obvious by now that I love, love the caramel/cognac/saddle color. Especially in leather. Lucky for me, Madewell has apparently made it their mission to make me buy everything they put out by creating an English Saddle leather version of some gorgeous bags. I already own the infamous and ubiquitous Transport Tote in English Saddle, here’s what else I’m craving:

Madewell Transport Rucksack Backpack

Madewell Transport Rucksack

Backpacks are on trend again and this one is just perfect for travel. Nothing drags down a day out sightseeing or checking out tourist traps than a heavy bag that weighs on just one very sore shoulder. Enter this luxe, smooshy backpack: chic, comfortable, roomy. Was out of stock for the longest time and just came back in stock. Get it here for $248.

Madewell Transport Weekender

Madewell Transport Weekender

Speaking of travel, how amazingly chic to travel with this huge piece of chewy leather goodness? And would love that pop of gold from the monogram. I’ve always seen these super stylish people get off flights and check into hotels with gorgeous cognac leather bags, and now’s the chance to grab a classic one of your own. Get it here for only $298.

Madewell Twin-Pouch Crossbody Bag

Madewell Twin Pouch Crossbody Bag

For everyday essentials, nothing beats this gorgeous crossbody bag that very closely mimics the currently ever-popular Celine Trio bag. The English Saddle color is new; I’ve been obsessed with this bag in the Dark Cabernet (out of stock) but I’ll *settle* for this new saddle color. Get it here for $138.

Madewell Medium Pouch in English Saddle

Madewell Medium Pouch Clutch in English Saddle

For those who want to pare down even further, this classic pouch/clutch is a great daily bag that will fit all those essentials perfectly. For the longest time I went to work with just my Balenciaga Coin Purse (which is even smaller than this), realizing all I needed was my iPhone, keys, and a couple of credit cards. This pouch even has a coin pocket and card slots built in with plenty of room for even an iPhone 6 Plus so it’s a great choice for any minimalist. Get it here for only $59.50.

Madewell Pivot Pendant

I was first drawn to these Madewell Pivot Pendants when I saw them styled on the Madewell site with the buffalo check flannel I reviewed in my last post; they intrigued me because I’ve actually never heard of an adjustable necklace before. The malachite and tiger eye are also very pretty, so that didn’t hurt.

Madewell Pivot Pendant Necklace

In person, they are just as pretty. Loved these two colors paired with the gold, and though I wouldn’t have thought to put these two colors together, they do work really well. So well that it felt too sparse to wear just one!

Madewell Pivot Pendant Necklace

In fact, each one alone was kind of hard to style for me. They’re not big enough to warrant the longer length as they’re not really statement pendants, but they also didn’t seem to be one of those types of necklaces that you wear on a short length below your collarbone as they’re not exactly dainty either. But together, at least at the shorter length, they somehow worked. Here they are on a shorter length:

Madewell Pivot Pendant

To get them to that short length, you’ll have to really double up and drag the adjuster all the way down, as you can tell from the photo. I didn’t like that the adjuster would show on both ends; it distracted away from the pendants. But they looked great otherwise. Here they are at a longer length:

Madewell Pivot Pendant

This might be the ideal length for them — long enough not to show the adjusters, but still very casual and pretty. Any longer and it didn’t look right, almost like the size of the pendants didn’t match the length of the necklace. All in all, definitely great necklaces that I personally think work best together, and the adjustable length offers you a lot of versatility and variety of looks vs your average necklace. What are your thoughts? If you love it, get it here from Madewell for $38.