A school bag for someone starting high school. Anyone help?

[lighthousekeeping]

Id like to buy my niece a present for when she starts high school. Apparently they dont have lockers and have to lugg their bags around with them. I dont think it has to be neccessary one colour, although the uniform is navy. I dont want one that will be tempting to nick!! no Kath Kidson but, I would like one thats on trend for that age group.

I know you are all so good at this. Thanks.

My dds have this:

www.dotcomgiftshop.com/bag-airline-vintage-world-champion
They are considered to be cool. Apparently they're around £30.00 in city centre shops!

They look good. I was also thinking of this one www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005CTTMAI/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B007T9HTW2&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0N7EERJC2V08N82TTMC4 a complete KK rip off.

i would SERIOUSLY take her advice on it.
try the animal ones.
or bloody hollister

I didnt know holister did them. It wouldnt last five minutes, Im afraid. We dont have a Holister in our town. She wont know anyone at the school how long do they last anyway? if she doesnt like it she can give it to her sister.

DON'T would be my advice!

The school bag is a vital bit of kit that needs to be a particular style and / or brand. The thing is until she starts school she won't know what the style/brand is. PB oversized bags are de rigeur at some schools, at others it's an Animal rucksack, others turn their noses up at anything unless it's Cath Kidson.

Please - let her work out what she wants, and maybe go with her to buy it. But don't turn up with one YOU think she'll like.

Agree with Titchy.

School bag style is a minefield. Get it wrong, and it's an expensive mistake. Wait til half-term.

Don't get her the fake Cath Kidston.

From my observations (as a teacher) the most popular styles are: real Cath Kidston (most go for the 'book bags' or 'carry all' bags which will fit A4 exercise books, the saddle bags look big (and are much more £££) but in reality little usable space), Jack Wills or Hollister cotton shopper/book bags. For extra points you could get her a Jack Wills pens/pencil case to go with. Rucksacks big no-no among most of the girls. Girls often have 2 of the above mentioned bags - 1 for PE and one for books etc.

Avoid Paul's Boutique. There's a certain type of student that has them and I would steer clear. (That is not meant nastily at all and big disclaimer that this is just my school which is in the sticks and therefore probably a bit behind...)

Just remembered that battered vintage satchels quite popular as well.

She wouldn't have a clue who jack wills is!!! We are in the sticks too. And, not an affluent area.

My DCs have addidas messenger bags which is the ultimate in cool here for boys and girls.

But they are small. Very small. You struggle to get an a4 folder in it.

But they don't care cos it's cool

As a girl coming to the end of her high school days i suggest a large, plain, STRONG bag as a first. In their first few weeks they will probably end up carrying all of their books around with them, until they realise they don't need half of them. If you decide you don't want to get a bag, you could always buy stationary and a pencil case!! All very handy

If you can pick up a Longchamp Le Pliage fake, it's a lifesaver. Got me through uni, it's ridiculously strong and it doesn't date.

Most of the ones here are nike, roxy, adidas backpacks.

I'm not going to start the whole fake bag row again as it's been done on MN already. Put please do not get a fake Le Pliage (especially when they are not really that expensive in the first place but mainly because profits from fake designer bags are used to fund the most horrendous things).

Ive spoke to her and none of these suggestions are any good as she needs something that is very big. Apparently they dont have lockers and have to carry their own coats and everything around with them all day

So, she is going to find one and I will give her the money for it.