A shopping quest! Bag for uni/ work

[Glitterkitten24]

Hello,
I’m a mid 30s, mum for 2 who is about to embark on my Pgde to become a teacher.
I’ll be spending the next year equal part at university at lectures and on placement in schools.

I am not a trendy wee 17 year old who can pull off a backpack for uni (unless it was a smarter, leather one) but anticipate having to cart lots of paperwork/folders/tablet about with me.

I’m looking for leather, probably black or a colour (not tan or brown, not really my colours). Thickish straps as I’ll have lots in it and don’t want it cutting into my shoulder: breaking. Not toooo expensive- I have a birthday coming up so could use birthday money but I since I’ll not be earning this year I don’t want to break the bank. Ideally about £100 but up to maybe £200.

Any takers? Please help me, I’m choosing to focus all my nerves about completing this course on finding a bag instead! 😂

I'm much older than you and use a Superdry backpack, which is sturdy and just the right size. Much better for your back and shoulders than a bag.

Superwork by kipling

slippery what do you wear on your feet with that backpack? Trainers?

Generally Fly MES boots or DMs. I work with lots of quite young funky people so don't feel out of place.

Also Google Anvanda - they're on Kickstarter and their bags look great.

Try Knomo. Strong, stylish and takes a lot .

You say that the papers/tablet will be bulky or heavy. Leather can be pretty heavy. If you value your shoulder and neck go for something lighter. I'm sure MN can come up with good smart ideas, but between looking smart/fashionable and avoiding pain in the future I'd rather not be in pain. (I speak from experience as I have a disability that means strain on shoulder is more likely.)

Love the bags and backpacks on here.
www.gandyslondon.com
And the company is a charity so helps to justify the spend! ( tho a lot less expensive than you planned)

Choices www.gandyslondon.com/women/bags-backpacks.html

I did my pgce in my mid thirties! 😃 still adore my job seven years later!

Bear in mind you’re going to end up lugging at least one, more often two, leaver arch files around with you... most students end up with one of those big jute shopping bags or a ‘bag for life’ type thing... NOT glamorous!

The other thing is that schools don’t have Great facilities so your bag will often end up on the floor under a dusty desk... if I were you I’d buy a massive big bag for not much money now and then spend a good amount as a reward for you to yourself when you pass the course and get your first job. You’ll definitely have earnt it by then!

Good luck

I just bought one of these for lugging marking around, would prob fit two lever arch files

and something roomy like this for all your snacks/pens/tissues/hand sanitizer/ paracetamol/ more snacks etc etc

Thanks all, lots to check out!

knitknack what are the chances! Thanks for those thoughts from someone whose done it, will consider a shopper for all my extra stuff I’ll end up carrying about!

singa exactly I definitely need something comfortable that I can carry heavy loads in. I wonder if a backpack would be better for uni, and just use a smart bag for placements. Hmm....

Love those Knitknack - do you think you could shove them in the machine? I use jute bags but looking to upgrade!

this is roomy from Cotswolds

They have Fjallraven Kanken on offer too

Agree to buy something functional now and treat yourself for placement/completing

Chrisand I bought my marking bag in the brown colour and yes, I think it will go in the machine... that’s a good point! Bags take a heavy trashing at school don’t they? I have my own office now, for on other role, and even so they still get thrown around as I whizz around at a million miles an hour!,

I use a rucksack that also has wheels. Oh and I'm over 50.

Cambridge satchel company have new of sale at the moment
this green] is lovely

I love this folio bag

and it comes in gorgeous green

and there s a backpack option
Check out their sale section

I have this. I have it in brown and in black. It holds loads. Also a teacher. (Husband bought this for me starting probation year.) the more bashed it gets the better it looks.

I would get something like an Osprey rucksack or cheaper version. I have one with a laptop sleeve and different compartments which is great. I know any loose bits of paper won’t get crumpled as put them in laptop sleeve along with laptop if I take that. I’m super organised so I know exactly where my keys are, pencil case, etc in all the different pockets rather than stuff been lost down the bottom of a big ripucksack. Super comfy.

DD has one like that strawberry !

She used it all sixth form then hit a back pack for uni, but now in her third year she's fished it out again and is using it every day. Good fir files and her p,acement uniform and lunch etc

I always sound like a broken record but Fossil do good totes.
Example

I also like Scaramanga.

I have it in brown as well. In fact I love it in brown.

baubles loving the Cambridge Satchel bags! I've been looking for a red bag and think I may have found the perfect one on their website. Luckily I work in London so can go to the store and have a look just to make sure it's right for me, but thanks for the heads up!