Dare to Wear: Olivia Munn's Bucket Backpack Just Replaced Your Go-to Handbag

This childhood carryall gets a very sophisticated city-girl upgrade

Forget what primary school has taught you—backpacks can be chic!

Now that luxury brands are creating structural, quality versions of your childhood wardrobe essential, backpacks have become It bags for celebs and street-style stars alike. They are not just choice carryalls to complement casualwear either. With the right detailing, structure and texture, these bags can take you to work, happy hour and beyond. Case in point: Olivia Munn.

The actress was spotted in New York City on Thursday in black, wide-leg trousers and an Ann Taylor gray coat with a Pebbled Leather Backpack (priced at $3,200) from The Row in tow. 

Needless to say, this look could rock any boardroom, but with Olivia's dark-berry lips and sultry waves, a night on the town is not too far away.

What makes this combo work? The bag isn't just your typical zip-up backpack, which is inherently casual. The bucket bag shape has just enough slouch as an oversize tote or shoulder bag, while the hardware and drawstrings are the perfect juxtaposition of formal and casual themes. It's sleek and minimal—with two shoulder straps for that city-girl edge.

French Connection Mara Drawstring Backpack, Black, $42; Opening Ceremony Pebble Leather Izzy Backpack, $595; Isabel Beneanto Bucket Backpack, $999