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Original poster

If your DD has a tote bag big enough to hold everything she needs can you please recommend it here!

43 replies

MavisBarrel · 17/11/2025 17:42

My DD is in year 10 and the accessorize tote bag we got her last year just isn’t quite big enough . It’s annoying as she can’t zip it up most days and sometimes things fall out or she is too restricted in what she can take to school by the size of the bag.
Reverting to her much more practical backpack is not an option sadly so I am on the hunt for a new one.
Can anyone recommend me a holy grail tardis of a school bag ?

OP posts:
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ResusciAnnie · 21/11/2025 22:34

bumptybum · 21/11/2025 20:08

Your choice is not very practical. Assuming you live in England a laptop is going to cost a whole lot more to replace than a longchamp. Cord bag in this country will relegate your tech and paperwork ruined in the first downpour

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Thanks for your concern 😂 don’t you worry, I’ve thought it through.

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 21/11/2025 20:21

Longchamp here too.

bumptybum · 21/11/2025 20:08

ResusciAnnie · 21/11/2025 17:07

Meh, was the case when I was in high school 20 years ago. I think they’re ugly AF so I never partook personally!

Another vote for the Urban Outfitters cord totes, I use mine for work some days and I carry a lot of books!

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Your choice is not very practical. Assuming you live in England a laptop is going to cost a whole lot more to replace than a longchamp. Cord bag in this country will relegate your tech and paperwork ruined in the first downpour

bumptybum · 21/11/2025 20:06

Isthisit2025 · 17/11/2025 18:33

Longchamp for a secondary school bag? Talk about keeping up with the Jones’s. Utterly ridiculous!

Why ridiculous. It’s waterproof and very durable unless it’s dragged on concrete. Last for ages.

Ddakji · 21/11/2025 20:01

Escentricmolecule · 21/11/2025 20:00

Just looked on the website, and I'm sorry I can't see the one my DD has. It's similar to this one: https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/shop/bdg-tab-corduroy-tote-bag4?color=004&type=REGULAR&size=ONE+SIZE&quantity=1

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Thank you!

Escentricmolecule · 21/11/2025 20:00

Ddakji · 21/11/2025 15:47

Which Urban Outfitters one would you recommend? The sporty one looks huge but I’m not sure DD would like the colours it’s available in.

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Just looked on the website, and I'm sorry I can't see the one my DD has. It's similar to this one: https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/shop/bdg-tab-corduroy-tote-bag4?color=004&type=REGULAR&size=ONE+SIZE&quantity=1

BDG Tab Corduroy Tote Bag

Shop BDG Tab Corduroy Tote Bag at Urban Outfitters today. We carry all the latest styles, colours and brands for you to choose from right here.

https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/shop/bdg-tab-corduroy-tote-bag4?color=004&quantity=1&size=ONE+SIZE&type=REGULAR

Ddakji · 21/11/2025 17:12

ResusciAnnie · 21/11/2025 17:11

I’m don’t know about alternative options but mine is This one

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That’s the one I was looking at - thanks! Handily comes in black.
Big enough for several books, water bottle and random shit, would you say 🤣?

Ddakji · 21/11/2025 17:08

ResusciAnnie · 21/11/2025 17:07

Meh, was the case when I was in high school 20 years ago. I think they’re ugly AF so I never partook personally!

Another vote for the Urban Outfitters cord totes, I use mine for work some days and I carry a lot of books!

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Can you let me know which one? I can’t work out from the website which might be big enough!

ResusciAnnie · 21/11/2025 17:07

Isthisit2025 · 17/11/2025 18:33

Longchamp for a secondary school bag? Talk about keeping up with the Jones’s. Utterly ridiculous!

Meh, was the case when I was in high school 20 years ago. I think they’re ugly AF so I never partook personally!

Another vote for the Urban Outfitters cord totes, I use mine for work some days and I carry a lot of books!

Statsquestion1 · 21/11/2025 16:10

Chinsupmeloves · 17/11/2025 19:20

If only girls went for backpacks like the boys! Far more comfortable, practical and less physical stress to one shoulder. Could you suggest a more feminine trendy one for her? Xxx

I’m in Ireland and they all use backpacks like these. Do they not need to bring books home etc…how can a tote do that? Does it not ruin their shoulders?

If your DD has a tote bag big enough to hold everything she needs can you please recommend it here!
TransAdmiralsAreAdmirals · 21/11/2025 16:05

A Fjällräven tote is durable and tough.

AelinAG · 21/11/2025 16:02

Get one from DHGate! They’re about 20 quid and exactly the same as the authentic ones. From the same factories.

Ddakji · 21/11/2025 15:47

Escentricmolecule · 17/11/2025 18:26

We have Longchamp here too, but the big cord totes from Urban Outfitters are really good and my DD used those for a few years. Very strong and hold loads.

Which Urban Outfitters one would you recommend? The sporty one looks huge but I’m not sure DD would like the colours it’s available in.

LadyDanburysHat · 21/11/2025 15:39

CrazyCatMam · 17/11/2025 19:19

My daughter has the black Longchamp one. You can buy generic bag inserts from Amazon that make it more structured with sections to keep things separate.

I thought it was a ridiculous price to pay for a bag but she used her birthday money. She carries a laptop in it every day, and so far it still looks like new.

DD has an insert for hers too. She wanted a Longchamps and I was against paying that for her. She bought a fake one on holiday that fell apart. I ended up giving her my navy one and to be fair despite the way it is chucked around, it really has stayed in good condition.

The insert is ideal for putting school stuff in. PE days can still be a bit tricky but she manages.

teacoffeeorpassthegin · 21/11/2025 15:36

Chinsupmeloves · 17/11/2025 19:20

If only girls went for backpacks like the boys! Far more comfortable, practical and less physical stress to one shoulder. Could you suggest a more feminine trendy one for her? Xxx

Thankfully loads do at my daughter’s school!
she had a vans one through high school and she has just got a new one (can’t remember the brand) for 6th form.

Both were about £50 but one bag for 5 years is pretty good going!!

Ilovewillow · 21/11/2025 15:34

Another vote for the Longchamp, large in Navy! My daughter is yr 2 at 6th form college and travels a couple of hours a day with it, it's been in use for 4 years now and is still in good condition. She carried her lunch, documents, laptop and sundries. It has lasted much better than the £60.00 school branded school rucksack my son has which has been replaced twice in two years!!

postitnot · 19/11/2025 19:14

Isthisit2025 · 17/11/2025 18:33

Longchamp for a secondary school bag? Talk about keeping up with the Jones’s. Utterly ridiculous!

I'm pretty sure my DD's (yr 11) is fake as it wasn't £110 from John Lewis. (She ordered and paid for it herself so I don't know how much it was)

Looks good though, and holds a lot. She's had it for at least 18 months and it's still going strong.

Norfolklass2428 · 17/11/2025 23:02

Long champ here too. Large size in navy. Holds her lap top folders, snack, water bottle.

Original poster
MavisBarrel · 17/11/2025 22:48

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 17/11/2025 19:12

I’ve got both the medium and large longchamp, the medium would fit a folder but the large might be a better bet if she carries a lot.

I was going to rant about them being overpriced now and how I only paid £60 for mine, then I remembered I bought it when dd was 3 to take on holiday as a beach bag, and dd is now year 8, so it’s lasted and probably would have a price rise in between.

Thanks @FancyBiscuitsLevel this is helpful and you have reminded me my longchamp weekend bag is nearly 20 years old and only recently showing wear and tear . Would love a new one !

OP posts:
Original poster
MavisBarrel · 17/11/2025 22:45

Thanks all I will have a closer look at the longchamp as I know DD would love it , I mentioned them the other day and she said they are too expensive . It would be a Christmas gift so am happy to buy new. The dimensions are throwing me as it looks like it’s smaller than her accessorize one , very odd! She would probably just want black though the lighter colours are lovely !
She carries an iPad , school books , music folder lunch , coffee cup and water bottle so it is a lot ..

she used a back pack in year 7/8 but said it was on and off so often she rarely used both straps apart from walking up and down the school drive .

OP posts:
CluckerHam · 17/11/2025 20:14

MavisBarrel · 17/11/2025 18:58

thanks all - I did see some of the girls with the Longchamp one - which size is it though ? There is a large tote I think for £110 is it that ? Links would be marvellous!

Yes the Large size. Tip: look on Vinted… there are new “nearly authentic” ones for around £40

Wildflowers78 · 17/11/2025 19:48

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 17/11/2025 19:35

@Wildflowers78- side question! How do you wash the bag? Do you just bung in the machine?

As far as I know DD just gives any dirty marks a good scrub in the sink with fairy liquid - not the most glamorous technique but seems to work! Don’t know if I’d fancy putting one in the washing machine due as I’d worry about the zip getting damaged.. I’m probably just being a wuss though as they don’t seem overly delicate

SkinnyOatFlatWhiteForMePlease · 17/11/2025 19:37

Wildflowers78 · 17/11/2025 19:18

To be frank this was at a posh grammar school - it’s almost standard uniform for them! In my eyes buying a biyearly Longchamp isn’t exactly the height of extravagance.

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DD14 has the same bag, as do around 30% of her peers.