That a suitable tote bag for school does not exist

[IWantToGetOffHelp]

Have finally relented to my DD having a tote for school instead of a rucksack seeing as she is in 5th form. I still don’t agree it’s great for her back but hey ho. She’s known for waterbottle leaks so it really needs to have a pocket inside that it can stand upright in. Also a place for a 15 inch laptop and would be good to have pockets to help organisation. Bigger rather than smaller bag as she has a lot of stuff! They can have brands as long as the logo is discrete rather than plastered all over in big letter.

Surely this isn’t too much to ask but I can’t find one anywhere. Even the style and beauty section had no luck. This is my last hope! Can anyone recommend one please? I’m very ‘frumpy’ so have no clue about fashion and style.

Longchamp le pliage with a felt liner for structure and organisation. Timeless, practical and really robust.

https://rokalondon.com/collections/trafalgar-tote/products/trafalgar-b-black-recycled-canvas
This would be good, however I suspect it won't be what your teen girl is looking for.
What kind of thing is she after?

Here to say Lonchamp with a liner also.

*Longchamp

search.app?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.target.com%2Fp%2Fclevermade-premium-malibu-tote-bag-with-laptop-compartment-carob%2F-%2FA-88548901&utm_campaign=aga&utm_source=agsadl1%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4

They are mostly wholly unsuitable. Especially because, as PP says, your DD is likely to be after a particular look.

We compromised on a structured plain black messenger bag. DD loves it because it is discreet and practical. Still not big enough some days though!

Mind you DD dislikes handbags, she only changed her rucksack to avoid bullying 🙄(yes, we did have a conversation about sheep and some people being idiots)

Why are you the one looking? 5th form means 15/16? Give her a budget and let her find one she likes, with you having final oversight on its practically if that is really important to you, but tbh I'd just give her the parameters and back off.

Would it be easier to let her choose her own tote bag (she will probably know what she wants) and focus on finding a really good, leak proof water bottle?

Quite expensive for a school bag but the Bellroy Tokyo tote bag is good. I have one for work as I don’t like backpacks. Lots of pockets including a water bottle one, and a padded laptop compartment.

That one looks perfect! But well out of our £40ish budget sadly! Grrrrr!!

For those asking, she has been looking but can only find ones that I veto. I thought I’d ask here as we aren’t doing well finding one.

My DD used a fabric tote bag - overloaded - throughout sixth form. Did the job. She just wouldn't have used anything "practical" I'd bought her.

@IWantToGetOffHelp Have a look on Amazon as they have something very similar just in budget. It’s called tomtoc Tote Bag.

OP did you find something suitable? My daughter is asking for the same thing and we have a similar budget to work with.

We pushed the boat out and got her a Lululemon one. Has stood up to a lot of abuse over the last year and still going strong! Very comfy to carry as well!

If you are on a budget, the Waitrose Lulu Guinness reusable tote bag is good. I have one that I use most days, its pretty comfortable & very robust. Not sure if fashionable with teens though!

Thank you, I will have a look at that one. She wants a Longchamp but I know it will get destroyed at school the way they throw bags around.

Why are you vetoing your teen's choices? I would hardly be aware of what bags my kids used in high school and then college

My son’s school, which has a reasonable relaxed uniform policy, banned totes. I used to see the girls carting huge bags with chain Chanel style straps. My shoulder is aching vicariously at the memory 😳

My Roka bag has lasted the test of time really well, and can be chucked in the washing machine and comes out like new.
Would definitely recommend, and if you keep an eye out there's very often sales

Presumably because the parents are paying!

This is inside your budget and has everything you need. https://amzn.eu/d/gjymaah

I have a large one of these inside my tote I use for work and it fits laptop, water bottle etc

https://amzn.eu/d/c4ksOvT

maybe!
I also used to pay for things like this but just didn't get involved in such choices. I still think she should have autonomy over choosing her own school bag. If it's the wrong choice let her live with it

I honestly wouldn’t get the Lulu Guinness one - it’s a shopping bag, too big and unstructured. I’ve had my Longchamp tote for >15 years, through uni and god knows how many flights. Definitely get an insert to protect the laptop though

Longchamp is absolutely ubiquitous at my eldest DD's school.

DD ended up with one of these in black and it has held up well over 2 years...fits a laptop and a couple of notes files & books (as well as the random crap that inevitably accumulates).

https://bellroy.com/products/tokyo-tote?color=raven&material=baida_nylon&size=standard#slide-0