First, we adults took over coloring books. Then Pokemon.

And now, apparently, backpacks.

Woo! Take that, everyone under 10.

Although I haven’t colored my way through a book in years and have only a passing knowledge of Pikachu — he is a Pokemon character, right? —  it must be wonderful to indulge in the trappings of a second childhood without the downsides of curfew and no-cookies-for-dinner. (Mmm, dinner cookies.) 

Backpacks. This I can do.

After all, they hold lots of stuff. They leave your hands free even as you carry said lots of stuff. And they make that awesome thunk when you toss them down after school. It’s the sound of freedom.

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I’m pretty sure that thunk will sound just as awesome after work.  

Want to join the millions of adults buying and using backpacks (thank you, Yahoo Finance) but don’t want to tote a light-up Iron Man kiddie bag through the grocery store?

I’ve got your back.

Because we grown-ups need to stick together. We also need something to carry our coloring books and Pokemon cards in.

• Steve Madden utility backpack, T.J. Maxx, $39.99

This roomy navy blue or black canvas pack sports brown leather buckles on the front and padded straps on the back. Sophisticated and masculine, it’s the perfect backpack for the adult who wants to look adult. Also, it frees you up to hold a Starbucks cotton candy Frappuccino in each hand. Win!  

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• Calvin Klein dressy backpack, T.J. Maxx, $59.99

A small, black backpack with a vinyl outside adorned with gold zippers, it’s stylish enough for an evening out. Think of it like a little black dress — classy, chic and always welcome. But with pockets.    

• Expressions NYC leather backpack, T.J. Maxx, $29.99

In camel or black, this leather backpack features silver chain edging around the top and bottom, a side zipper and a main pocket secured by both a drawstring and a snap. For the grown-up who wants to be unique and mod without spending a unique- and mod-type fortune.

• Adidas Pace backpack, Olympia Sports, $55

Water-resistant bottom, springy shoulder straps, four pockets, in black or brighter colors. This is meant to be a teenager’s pack, but I won’t tell anyone. Like that incident last week. Which you didn’t hear about from me.

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Commuter Ballistics Day Pack, L.L.Bean, $99

I think it’s fair to say that every single Maine kid ever has owned a Bean backpack at some point. They’re everywhere. And for good reason — they’re sturdy, durable and come with a very liberal return policy. But you don’t have to carry a bag decorated with flowers or glow-in-the-dark sharks just to get the L.L.Bean experience. This large commuter pack is just as rugged and comes in basic black. For carrying all that grown-up stuff. Like dinner cookies.

Best find: Rogue Wear Benny Backpack, www.roguewear.com, $48

For the local-economy-conscious adults, this two-tone backpack is made in Maine by a Lewiston company with a strong history in the area. The pack is small, but according to the website it’s big enough to hold “a six-pack of craft beer, jacket and a bottle of wine.” Exactly what we need while playing “Pokemon GO.”

Think twice: Love Betsey by Betsey Johnson hooded backpack, T.J. Maxx, $29.99

Fabric backpack in a pink flower print, black-and-white stripes or polka dots. Also, it has a hood. Also, that hood has ears. Seriously. It’s about 150 kinds of cute, but most of us past middle school draw the line at bags with ears. So check out one of the others for your backpack needs. I’ll be over here coloring. 

Shopping Siren’s true identity is protected by a pair of stylish, sweater-wearing Doberman pinschers (who refuse to carry their own gear) and the Customer Service counter at the Sun Journal. You can reach her at shoppingsiren@sunjournal.com.


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