Backpack or purse?
 

I will be traveling solo and usually use a canvas backpack to tote camera, extra lens, film, guide, and journal. Use money belt for passport, credit cards, etc. Can I do this in Spain or do I need to buy a big purse to replace backpack?

I would (and do) carry a purse. Especially in Spain, alone, you can keep an eye on your purse much better than on your back.
Get one of the long strap sort that goes across your chest, bandolier style. With a zipper that you can keep closed and close to your body.
Have fun!

I travel solo in Europe a lot, and I never use a backpack anymore. Follow Scarlett's advice - get a good purse you can hold close to your body that can be zippered shut and has lots of inside pockets and you'll be fine.

You'll look a lot more like a "native" that way, and also have more control over your belongings.

Thank you Scarlett and StCirq. I'll get a big purse and leave backpack at home.

You might consider a 'gadget bag,' like what they used to call a Camera bag. It hangs on your side with the strap across your other shoulder. You can find big ones, medium sized ones, etc. Mine is an Eddie Bauer, about 18" long and it comes in real handy: holds my SLR Camera with 2-extra lenses, film and all that other junque. When loaded it's quite heavy. But that's the way SLR equipment is.

Another vote for the camera bag.

I'm another big purse/totebag person.
Nice and deep, and with internal zipped pockets to secure valuables. Water-repellent exterior. I don't use a money belt and I've never been a crime victim, but that's up to you.

Actually, what's popular now in Europe(in NYC as well) are those messenger-style bags that you wear across your body.

Last month I brought a black nylon tote with me to Rome. It had the look and feel of an oversized handbag, and comfortably carried a small guidebook, camera, water bottle, etc.

Within three days, however, I bought a nice leather handbag, because I realized I was the only woman in Italy NOT carrying one, and I felt like a real fashion dork! My new handbag had straps long enough to wear on my shoulder and tuck under my arm for added security, yet short enough to easily carry in my hand. The envelope shape of it made room for my camera and wallet, and it zippered.

I would sooner go this route than carry a backpack. You will present a more tailored, finished look without sacrificing utility.

I agree with Scarlett. Just did a trip to Italy and got a great bag at Target. It is called a Messanger bag and holds all of your camera stuff, maps, small guide books, water bottles, and crosses over your shoulder. Put valuables in money belt or pocket. I LOVED it and it was less than 20 dollars. Have fun!!!

dln's comment" You will present a more tailored, finished look without sacrificing utility."

I hope this very disturbing language is not a prelude to a savage assault on all proud americans who make a very strong and positive fashion statement with large, colorful and often ornate fanny packs!

Degas, as long as Americans don't make a statement with Large and Colorful Fannies..

HA! Degas, proud Americans with fanny packs hold no candle to Germans with tight shorts and heavy hiking boots (spotted in Orvieto; the streets really aren't steep enough to warrant being kitted out like that!) or stout, elderly Brits wearing black socks, leather shoes, baggy, faded wifebeaters not tucked into baggy faded shorts (spotted on the streets of Sorrento, accompanied by full-size black umbrella)!

Fanny packs a fashion statement? A very little one in the scheme of things!

scarlett, have you been peeking at us playing tag in the outdoor shower?

I thought those new camelia bushes were big enough to conceal our substantial backsides. You know, some things are often best left to the imagination.

dln, good points. By the way, what exactly are "faded wifebeaters"?
Will I have to go to Target or Big Lots to find them?

Okay, Degas. Here's a wifebeater. Think Marlon Brando in Streetcar Named Desire. Said elderly Brit I spotted probably was young when Brando was young. They probably both had the same tank undershirt. Except the Brit kept his. And washed it. And washed it. And got fatter and fatter through the years, like Brando. And his wifebeater faded and expanded, and he still wore it, like the day I saw him in Sorrento.

You want one? There's probably a Goodwill in London that has one with your name on it, if you're interested!

Thanks for the vivid description. I know that stunning look now.

I get some of my best stuff at Goodwill - it helps to know the management so you can get an early look see at each day's donations.

(giggle giggle snort snort giggle)

Also check out the "healthy back bags" sold through travel catalogs.

So many good suggestions. So little time left to shop. Only thing I could find in a pinch was a leather purse that will do o.k. (Didn't see any of the larger totes/messenger bags while on my last run through 4 stores.) Before next trip, I'll check out the "healthy back bags".
Thanks to everyone for your help!

Actually, many European women (up to about the age of 50) wear backpacks almost every day. However, they're not the typical "tourist" backpack, but stylish leather backpacks made by top European leather goods manufacturers like Longchamp, Lancel, Delvaux, Louis Vuitton, etc. The "sac a dos" is an extremely popular look and just as stylish as any purse (and sometimes just as expensive: the Delvaux Amitie sac a dos in the cafe leather option costs about $1500; it's a highly desirable item in Belgium). Longchamp makes a very attractive and very serviceable leather backpack for about $200 (prices are much higher in the States) that I see everywhere in Belgium and France. If your coat has an inside pocket (if it doesn't ask a tailor to make you one), keep your wallet there and put everything else in the backpack.
(Brandwise, for under 20s, male and female, the brand is Eastpak; for young women up to about age 25 it's Kipling; for women up to age 50, Lancel or Longchamp, Delvaux, Louis Vuitton, or any other good European designer; over 50s stick with purses, by all the designers above plus the Italians and a LOT of Sonia Rykiel.)

There are any number of styles of skirts/slacks with "secret" pockets for carrying your passport/cards/cash, even a slip with pouches/pockets, available at the various online travel attire/accessory websites. As for your camera, etc., best bet is an ordinary microfibre tote with your maps, brochures, bottle of water visible, with your camera, lens, etc. buried at the bottom.

Any purse, fanny pack, backpack is an obvious target.

If what you are carrying is heavy - and guide book, camera and water bottle are heavy - then a backpack style is easier on your body to carry around all day. I tried a "healthy back" bag and ended up converting it to a backpack. I always use that when I travel now. It's not quite as stylish as the leather "purse style" backpack, which I bought in Italy, that I use at home, but it's large enough to hold everything I need for the day and weighs less. Obviously I keep all credit cards, ATM cards, etc along with the passport in the money belt. I usually also keep my days spending money in my pants pocket. Plus if you want you can use one of the small metal combination luggage locks to hook the two zippers toghether, isn't noticable and acts kind of like a zipper pull.

And by the way, I don't see any reason why women over 50 shouldn't use back backs styles.

Isabel, I'm not dictating that women over 50 avoid backpacks. I'm only noting what I see everyday here in the streets of Brussels and on frequent trips through France, Netherlands, etc. I see very few women, hardly any, in the 50+ age bracket with backpacks, even the designer ones.