backworn

Backworn is an adjective used to describe items, accessories, or garments that are designed to be worn on the back or carried at the back of the wearer. In practice, backworn items are positioned at the upper back, between the shoulders, or along the spine.

Usage and scope: The term appears in fashion, wearable technology, and product design discussions, but it is not a formal category in standard dictionaries. It is used as a descriptive label indicating placement on the back and is often contrasted with front-worn or shoulder-worn designs. Examples include backworn backpacks or harnesses, back-mounted sensors, and back-worn exoskeleton components, as well as stage costumes with draped back elements.

Design and considerations: Backworn designs must address weight distribution, ventilation against the back, range of motion, and comfort. In garments, backworn elements influence silhouette and coverage; in devices, attachment, safety, and adjustability are central concerns.

See also: dorsal, back-mounted, rear-worn, shoulder-worn.

Etymology: The term is a straightforward blend of back and worn, used in modern design discourse without widespread formalization.