DD will be 13 in the autumn and is about to start year 8. She doesn't really know what shoes and bag will be "right", so I'd like to ask for some advice on her behalf.
Shoes: She has size 8 feet, usually wears trousers, doesn't like chunky shoes, and the school has a fairly strict policy: must be all black with no embellishments, must have a leather-like finish (i.e., no canvas, no suede, no patent), and they can't look like trainers, boots or DMs. She had Clarks Scala brogues last year, and regretted the choice ("ugly"). She doesn't want Mary Janes (they don't look right with trousers). We may go for the Clarks lace up unisex shoes, but if anyone can provide inspiration for anything else, we would be very grateful.
Bag: She had a plain black (school policy) backpack last year, but now wants a fabric tote bag. I would rather she had something that would provide its contents with some protection from the weather, but she is more concerned about fitting in... Are tote bags really the done thing this year?
I know that some people will just say that I should simply tell her what to wear/carry, but I am trying to encourage her to assert herself so would like to give her options to choose from as a starting point. (And I have horrible memories of seriously ugly brown brogues from starting high school at 11!)