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.

Let her choose if possible. They feel very judged at that age. She wont realise how much stuff she may have to carry and how convenient her locker is. It's probably worth considering putting the decision on hold until she's started.

New look black faux leather handbag style are the most popular but DD has just swapped to Nike backpack as she has a lot to carry.

@Ketryne I agree, I completely messed my neck up lugging my laptop and associated junk round in a tote bag when I was commuting round in my early 20s, it still causes me issues now, in my 40s!

I agree, tote bags are not great for weight distribution, especially with chromebook to lug about.

But I also think being one of the crowd is important at this age, and if that means making crappy decisions based on appearances, so be it. Arghh.

Here it’s boys have adidas or vans black packs the girls have cord / corduroy tote bags

Check Vinted for the Longchamp bag. I got one for £30 recently.

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/6553681365-longchamp-le-pliage-tote-bag-travel-bag-nylon-handbag-large-black

Longchamp pliage for my two as well. One going into sixth form in sept and one in year 7. They have black and navy so they can't mix them up.

@Doublebubblegum dd has a real one. They are pretty indestructible. They are a lot of money but she’s had hers since midway through year 7. She’s going into y10 in September and will still be using it.

Honestly, I don't think it matters that much so dont stress about it . I think year 7 dd had a leather backpack. Then a smaller black tote the next year and now has a longchamp pliage. If you like the longchamp you can get a dupe on Hacoo for less than a tenner. Dds friend has one and they're really good quality.

Can I please ask which size Longchamp people have? My daughter is also about to start year 7 but she’s quite petite so was wondering whether medium or large would be best? Apparently they are very popular at her school but lots also have a New Look tote or just plain black ones from Amazon.

My DD is also starting this year so I have been taking note. Every single girl in our area has a black large tote bag with thin straps xx

Buy a backpack but with the thought that you may well be using it yourself in future once it is inevitably rejected.

Black backpack - north face, berghaus, Nike

And does anyone have a link to a Hacoo le pliage please

So this is the le pliage. I'm not paying £120 for a school bag, but don't mind a similar style...

Le Pliage Original L Tote bag Navy - Recycled canvas | Longchamp GB https://share.google/UiEThGqtgwhwtNi8f

Just get it from Hacoo OP. When we compared dds one to her friends Hacoo one we could find any difference, the quality was really good.

Just type in longchamps bag and loads come up. Check the reviews before buying

My DD is only allowed a backpack.

@ProbablyOnlySellOnei would say definitely go large (that’s what my dd has) DDs is always bulging but maybe that’s just her!

Personally if I didn’t want to spend that much I would just get a black leather tote. Don’t buy fake.

I am having the same problem atm did you find out which one is the 'in' bag ?

@Zo11 after all that fuss we ended up with a plain black backpack. No branding, no accessories - just plain black.

That said, some of her cohort have ted Baker or Nike bags, so it does seem fairly varied. I've realised that schools in different areas have different trends. It can literally vary by a few miles. I was worried about the short black skirt and knee high black socks, but the trendy kids in a nearby high school wear frilly ankle socks with black patent ankle boots 😂

Real deal here. Daughters friend has a primark one that looks similar. It’s not just used for school though.

thet aren’t that good for fitting files in though my daughter found so I’ve just ordered her a bigger black tote - not long champ as the next size up was too big.

I misread the title as “high flying school student” and wondered what intelligence had to do with type of bag 🤦🏼‍♀️😂

Have you driven past the school previously when it’s open? Have you got an idea of what types of bags students use? Not because you should copy but because dependent on school and lockers and books and processes it’s usually to do practicality! (Oh I see you have and they use totes!)

If she wants a tote I’d make sure it’s durable and waterproof. It zips at the top for when it rains.

River island do do good bags and those who attend the “tote carrying school” here often use New look or next as that’s what’s in town and they all go out together and buy the same!