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Vintage Wear

Sam’s backpack: ‘It’s a bit of a Frankenstein’

Finding that perfect vintage treasure hits differently. It’s the simple pleasure of scoring that unique item that seems to have been made just for you. Every day a reader hypes up their best vintage find. Sam, 25, tells us about his treasured old backpack.

What is your favourite vintage piece? 

My favorite piece is my 1957 Swiss army backpack. When I got the bag, it was in pristine condition with all these lovely leather fastenings, metal latches and a canvas strap – that was what passed for back support in the 50’s I guess. The exterior fabric is green, tough like some sort of lichen, and probably cancer-causing. I haven’t seen any other accessory/clothing use the same fabric, which worries me somewhat. 

When and where did you buy it?

I bought it when I was 18, near my high school in the mountains of Colorado. The place was called the Backyard Consignment store but we just called it Monks, after the enigmatic old man who ran the place. He was a personality on the local radio network who spent his Sundays spinning old records for KDNK. He also, not so discreetly, seemed only to hire other older women to work the shop with him. As a result, going into Monks always felt like entering a geriatric harem, though a pretty welcoming one. That day I was there because my Nixon backpack had ‘banana-peeled’ on me — the zipper exploded leaving the main compartment permanently agape. I saw the Swiss Army bag and picked it up for 70 bucks. 

What made it catch your eye?

As William Gibson argued in an interview a couple years back, older clothing, especially military-grade gear, is made to a spec that exceeds what you find with most luxury brands today. Shit was really built to last and felt like it. My Swiss army backpack is the ultimate exemplar of made-to-last. 

Why do you like it so much?

The reason I’m so attached to the bag has to do with how it’s decomposed over time; forcing me to repair it, engage with the material and fit it with various prosthetics. Parts of the leather and metal have started to give after 70 years. But I just can’t bring myself to give up on the bag after I’ve traveled with it across the world. Now it’s a bit of a Frankenstein. The right shoulder strap gave and I replaced it with a climbing rope. Then some leather riveted to the other shoulder strap ripped off which had to be repaired by a leatherworker.  Finally, the canvas back support blew out so I threaded some black nylon straps through the metal eyelets to keep it alive. 

How often do you wear it?

Any day I need a backpack. 

How does it make you feel when you wear it?

A little conspicuous, like I’m perpetually on a hike or about to go on one. 

How much was it?

About 70 dollars USD. If this was made by a company today it would cost around 400-500. I think that’s a steal. 

What’s your fondest memory of the bag?

It doubles as my grocery bag and any time I get a baguette, it sticks out the top like a gluten antenna.

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