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

[hatwoman]

dd - dues to start y7 in september - chose one of these in pale blue the other day. Now she's not sure if she likes it . It hasn't actually been used yet so it could go back to the shop. It's a pita but because she is a bit of a worrier and has already had one difficult change of school I guess I'm prepared to change it. However neither she nor I have got any idea what every self-respecting 11/12 year old is using (not helped by our rural location meaning that we rarely even see the secondary school kids). I'd be really interested to know what your dds use (pics would be great) and what you/they think of her choice. many thanks.

DD1 has had over shopping bags from Paperchase, Cath Kidston and now a laptop bag (no laptop in it tho!) - her choice!
I want her to have a proper backpack but she won't have it!
These messenger type bags are ok if not carrying a lot but not good for your back (as I keep telling her to no avail).

Good luck!

--over- mean't several!

The trouble every school has different fads. My DD yr8 has an My Chemical Romance Messenger Bag She does get called an emo, but most of the time she doesn't care!
I was in cambridge the other day and all the girls were carry Kath Kidson bags.

Had the same trouble with a DS last year. From experience I'd say buy something cheap to use for the first term and then they'll know what's in and what's not and then you can buy something that will last. DS had a backpack (cheapo from Sports Direct) but soooo not cool so went for a messenger type bag after Christmas.

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.

My dd has a retro leather satchel

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

Lots of animal rucksacks here

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.

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.

Hi roisin!

There are sometimes surf rucksacks cheap in Tk maxx

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?

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 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!

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....

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!

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

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