Are designer totes really the norm for university bags now

[Fourpaw]

I have just entered the unexpected world of pain that is helping my daughter to buy a bag for uni. It needs to hold laptop, water bottle etc. I had no idea that backpacks are totally out and that girls seem to be carrying very expensive designer totes? Is this true? Help!

Define designer Tote?

They probably aren't rocking round with Chanel or Miu Miu but Longchamp / Anine Bing I see a lot of the older teens walking round with.

Why does your adult daughter need your help to choose a bag?

University isn't like school. She can carry whatever kind of bag she likes. Loads of students will use backpacks, some will use designer totes, some will be lugging stuff round in a random reusable cotton bag from a charity shop. There's no rule. University students are adults and dress in a vast range of different styles. Some will be in jeans and plain hoodies day in, day out. Some will be very into fashion and designers. Some will dress in quirky vintage / second-hand stuff. Some will be goths. She isn't going to get shunned or look out of place because of her choice of bag, so she should just choose what she likes and can afford. I don't really see why you'd even be involved in this.

Dd1 (finished uni last year) took from memory a black bag she got from H&M for college, sort of puffer style. She replaced it with a tweed or it might have been a carpet bag at some point, bought from her uni city’s local charity shops, both over one shoulder bags.
dd2 (still at uni) has a tote bag from our local lido, bought a few years back when they campaigned to save it.
So neither on the cutting edge of fashion nor designer, they are both into being quite sustainable and aren’t into designer.

My son took his bag from sixthform. He likes fasion but really wasn't interested in the latest bag/brand. I bought him something better when he graduated and got his first job.

From the uni students I see any sort of bag goes. So just let her choose whatever bag she likes.

Definitely not designer. Fjallraven still seems to be popular here. Lots of the oversized sling bags like the ones they sell at urban outfitters.

My DD goes to Durham and uses a crossbody saddle bag she got on Vinted. I don’t recall seeing any one style the students use

How would you daughter know if she's not there yet?!

There are an enormous mix - I would say yes a lot of designer stuff is worn mainly by our overseas students (masters mostly) who are bloody loaded. Otherwise it's a really hodge podge, certainly won't be shunned without one!

I can't agree with designer totes being 'in' for students at all. If she is keen on fitting in she might as well
wait until she gets there.

Mine uses a Trader Joe’s tote bag - it’s very in, and fits a lot but only a few $ and we’re lucky to have family in the US who gifted. You can get them on eBay etc.

No

I think mine started off with her long champ bag from sixth form and now has a 90s vintage coach bag. Maybe give her some money if you want to buy her something and she can get it after sussing things out.

I had no idea that backpacks are totally out and that girls seem to be carrying very expensive designer totes?

Oh aye, are they now?! 😆I’d tell her to get something off eBay and when asked by the fashion-conscious she can look superior and tell them it’s vintage.

Mine also has a trader joes canvas bag that seems in favour.

My daughter currently uses an Adanola quilted style bag. Her big sister nicked my old battered longchamp and used that, three years ago. It’s horses for courses. No rules or regulations. I am sure she can choose her own bag, within her own budget.

My DD, now entering her third year of uni, has never owned a designer bag in her life. She doesn't seem scarred from the lack, and has managed to make friends despite her lack of designer gear.

I'm an academic. Today I've seen everything from ancient backpacks, canvas slogan totes, corporate-looking laptop bags, handbags, H and M bags, string bags, Hello Kitty crossbody bags etc. Certainly all female undergraduates are not tottering about with designer totes, no.

Well if she wants an expensive designer ‘tote’ she can pay for it herself, give what you’d planned and she can make up the rest. I live in a uni town and couldn’t tell you what bags are carried I have boys so they don’t care just a cheapo rucksack does tbh. She’d be better using something she had already till she actually starts and can see what people actually use and if they are big enough etc

Cohorts at universities are extremely diverse. It's also much more about developing your own personal style than following a crowd...or is was 25 years ago when I was there!

No need for everyone to be so arsey to a mum looking for some insight, people

Nope

Thousands of girls go to university and they are all different, there isn't one style of bag that they all (or even a majority of them) use.

I wouldn't stump out for a new bag, why can't she use the same one she had in 6th form? If she wants a designer one instead, she will have to buy one herself out of her maintenance money or earnings if she has a part time job, it's a good lesson to learn!

Seriously, there is no ‘in or ‘out’ . University is not school.
There will be all manner of bags. Carried by all manner of students.

I am a (mature) student currently and there are lots of Longchamp bags on campus that I have noticed!

I had coach or Kate spade bags when I was a student but I don’t think they are particularly fashionable now!

DC1 just uses the rucksack she used for school