what school bag does your y7/8 girl have? worrying 11 year old seeking style advice

DD1 has just left school (sorry, Scottish system here and the English confuses me!)

All the older girls had dark leather handbags or satchels.

DD2 is going into second year. Paul's Boutique is seen as the height of fashion somehow but she thinks that they are vile and has a big brown leather one.

Will she have a locker?

My DD just finished Yr7 and they all had things that looked like big handbags. Primark stuff was popular, as well as designer gear.

DD 1 is going into Year 11, and had this last year:
www.jackwillsclothing.uk.com/uk_product_ladies/bags-and-purses/bags-and-purses014/
She swore blind that she would use it for ever and ever, but is of course now eying up a handbag style bag.

DD2 is going into Year 9, and had this (in a slightly different print) last year: www.cathkidston.co.uk/p-15905-cath-kidston-spot-saddle-bag.aspx

She now wants this: jackwills.com/Store/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductRef=010215&Option=010215128 but as it has no zip or compartments, I don't think she's going to convince me.

DD3 is going into Year 7 and is currently eying up this, but with purple writing:
www.gola.co.uk/store/products/view/messenger_bags/REDFORD%20SPARKLE/White|Fuchsia

DD4 is going into Year 4, and also wants a Gola bag but I can probably persuade her into another year of backpacks.

Although I'd love them all to carry backpacks, apparently that is deeply uncool and I'm a fool for even suggesting it. Judging by the girls in Year 7/8, the bag your DD picked out will be fine.

Only allowed rucksacks at my DD's school. backcare is high on list

Most of the girls at the school where I teach have Cath Kidston or Jack Wills book bag/messenger bag type affairs.

Dd just finished yr7. She had a Roxy rucksack from TKMaxx (sort of pink and green).

It's lasted really well, never leaked and is still in v good condition. She says she's happy to use it for yr 8 too

No they don't hold enough but a bag that will is so desperately uncool that you might as well save your money. Let them learn by trial and let them come to you and BEG for a new bag then let them choose. All else is a waste of energy!

Do messenger bag styles hold enough for dc of that age? DD prefers that style, but with all the books/notebooks/pencil cases etc., seems too small....

I tend to alternate. One year I buy expensive bags, thinking they will last - they don't.
The next year I buy cheap bags and am usually disappointed with the quality!

That bag would be absolutely fine for any year at dd.'s school, op. Anything so long as it's not a backpack is fine. Preferably too small and not at all waterproof and designed to crush homework,squash lunches and destroy books in my experience. Oh and start saving 'cool' carrier bags to take cooking stuff and things in.

I have implored my dd to use a rucksack but she cares not for her back health so I've given up!
At her school the girls use messenger style or shoulder bags. Dd1 used her old rucksack for 2 days and then begged for something else. As I am a very obliging parent (who was forced to have naff stuff as a child) we went straight to Gap and got a decent shoulder bag. This year (yr 8) she has used that a bit but also a big shiny shoulder bag and a Boden satchel. It also seems obligatory to use a Jack Wills carrier bag Dd1 bought a water bottle there and was ecstatic to be given a big bag as they'd run out of smaller ones.
OP I would say that the satchel she's picked looks good. Why not get her to ring some mates and see what they're using?

There are sometimes surf rucksacks cheap in Tk maxx

Hi roisin!

Check the school website carefully.

Rucksacks - worn with both straps - are much better for longterm back health.
Many schools now specify that messenger bag styles (single strap) are not allowed. Some also have rules about colour of bags.

DD had that roxy rucksack kez.
Ds yr 10 has had animal rucksacks but at the moment has a converse messenger.
Surfdome is brilliant for bags.

Lots of animal rucksacks here

My about to go into y8 boys both suddenly sweet talked their grandparents into this type of bag (one gola, one puma), so I suspect they are enjoying a revival at their school at the moment. I really like them so will happily re-home one or both if they go out of fashion!

My school's trend for girls is for the tiniest bags in the world. Much to my disgruntlement when I'm proffering a A4 homework booklet.

I have only got boys (one going into yr10 and one going into yr7 - they have the Gola bags) but I would definitely stay away from a backpack - this is based on the girls I see walking in the village for the school bus.

At my DD1-12's school, the louder, brighter and busier the better.

The trend here with all the secondary schools is messenger bags, Gola being the number one choice with Addidas second. It's not completely naff to have a rucksack, but is a bit borderline. The Paul Frank one would be fine here.

Daughter has a mainly black with little bits of White and pink Roxy rucksack. It's done 4 years! We looked for ages as she wanted a cool bag with lots of pockets and a water holder. I gasped at £35 but it's had very good use! She needs a new one for year 11 as it has seen better days (although its still all in one piece) and it will be a beach bag now.

Son has something similar but no brand name and cost about £15. He's only had his one year so far but it's good enough for September.

My dd has a retro leather satchel

Messenger bags seem to be the most popular here. My elder dd has a Cath Kidston and the younger dd (going into Y7) has a plain style messenger bag.