What school bag for high school student?

[Withatraceofmisty]

This could be in the wrong place, but bear with me.

So, my DD (12) is starting high school in August and has already started angsting over the all Important school bag. She doesn't want to appear too try hard, but equally is veering away from a backpack (which i obviously think is far more practical. But then I eschewed practicality in favour of a low slung green canvas satchel from chelsea girl back in the day, so what do I know?)

Kids living nearby have the near ubiquitous longchamp le pliage, but they go to private school. My DD is going to local high school, and I've not really paid any attention to their school bag choices before.

Help, please! What are your pre-teens carting to and from school? Big enough for lap top and whatever odds and sods are required on daily basis.

I heard river island bags were very popular the past few years

They are shutting up 33 ish stores. Get in quick! www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr4wlw0w31ko

But surely OP it's a question for your DD rather than MN? Which bag or style does your DD like and which does she think will suit her needs most?

Nike backpacks are popular at ours.

Well she's anti backpack and likes the idea of a tote bag. But she wants to look part of the crowd...

Ì just wondered what other kids were using, but perhaps it varies from school to school.

Just get her to look at other people’s school bags on the transition day.

Go and see what all the girls are using….walk past the school at the end of the day.
i wouldnt worry too much in year 7. There is plenty of time to catch up, so to speak.

They've done their transition. Apparently they all had shoulder tote style bags.

She also wants a rara skirt... next it'll be pixie boots and fingerless lace gloves.

My two have black tote bags. They wouldn't be seen dead with backpacks.

Edit: years 10 and 8.

I think this is it. I should succumb to the inevitable snd admit defeat in the battle of the backpack.

Funny how it’s different in different areas - it’s all Vans or Nike backpacks here!

Like dialects 😂

Don't spend lots, whatever you get as depending on what others have she may change her mind by week 2.

Longchamps are popular all round, also urban outfitters or damson madder tote bags

My DD had a backpack for year 7. She hated it. Begged and begged for a tote. She loves it. Completely impractical but it's what all the other girls have.....

All Nike backpacks here. The compromise I made (with Nike at all, rather than something I approve of 🤣) was that it had to have a dedicated padded laptop section.

Jansport big student backpack. Sod the trends and go for practical.
Dd used hers all through high school, 6th form and now is on year two of Uni and it's going strong.

All dd and her friends have a longchamp pilage. 100% no backpacks. They are all very into fashion and appearance 😩 the look like clones!

Black tote bag central here at all the local high schools, generally unbranded

Surely they’re all ruining their posture with heavy tote bags? Their poor shoulders. Maybe I’m a stick in the mud but schools should make backpacks compulsory.

DD is in Year 7 and has a black tote bag from New Look as do most of the girls I’ve seen.

It does vary from school to school. Without looking like a weirdo you need to keep an eye out for what the other girls are using at the school she's going to.

My daughter is starting secondary after the summer and tells me EVERYONE has a plain black backpack. No colours, not patterns, nothing.

I've just googled Longchamp Pilage....£120! For those whose DDs have these...are they the real deal or do you just get a bag in the style of this?

That is such a lot of money (but then I do remember when she started primary spending a ridiculous amount of money probably not far off the Longchamp price in Smiggle buying matching school bags, pencil case, water bottle etc.....)

Both mine have the longchamp, different colours though. Started off with Nike backpacks but soon wanted these so got them for birthdays. They love them (esp with the jellycat bag charms on).
ETA - they are real ones. They were the main present and I know they will last years so they can put away or sell if they don’t want them.

When my now 13yo DD started 2 years ago we had a mix, I bought her a cheap black handbag from a charity shop, she also used my DHs very expensive branded backpack and over time we tried various styles & colours. She loves the black handbag now as that’s what most of her friends use, some still go practical backpack. She dose change them up, stolen some of my bags to try out.

Her current bag (no idea on brand) I again bought new from a charity shop, it’s massive and she loves it as she can fit so much in it. It’s a plain black tote bag, no obvious branding.

Im doing the same with DD11 this year, we’ve got a few to give her a selection to try. She’s leaning towards a handbag on day one to see what the others have. When she’s decides which way to go we will buy her a new bag she wants.

I know a few girls who all bough river Island bags for the start of high school, my DDs aren’t found of RI though.

PE kit goes in a canvas tote bag, we’ve got a few that are “cool” that get used.

It was all about Kanken at our school, in those earlier secondary school years ..