Is this too ‘babyish’ for secondary school?

[Snacktastic]

My DD is starting secondary school in September. We were browsing backpacks over the weekend. She’s absolutely loves this Jansport one. (Photo attached but may take a moment to approve). Is it going to be too young for secondary/ will she be teased for having a flowery bag?
Most of the secondary children I’ve seen have black backpacks, I’ve seen Nike etc which I’ve suggested but she doesn’t want plain black. If this is too young for secondary, I may have to tell her a white lie and that the uniform policy says it has to be a block colour!

Practical hat on here - it’ll be filthy very quickly!

Of course, but is the right time to hammer home that message week 1 of secondary school which is already a massive change for an 11 yr old going from a big fish in a small pond to the smallest fish in a big pond. The answer will depend on the kid, the school and the other kids attending it.

My daughter had a flowery backpack in year 7 no one said a bad word about it!

I love it, is not childish is real floral pattern. If you DD likes flowers that bag is great.

My son's secondary school only allows plain dark coloured bags! Most of the girls seem to carry black tote bags. My son carries a plain black backpack. I'm guessing your daughter's new school has no restrictions? I think it's a lovely backpack, but I suspect she may decided on something plainer, once she's been at secondary for a while. The colour is very light, and it will get dirty quickly, which would put me off buying it.

I would just give the kids a set amount of money and say go buy your stuff, at this age, because what we think is very different to how they think, and that way they are making decisions themselves (obviously I know some children have additional needs, but I would always let them choose within reason-as in if a child didn't realise you can't have a school bag with swear words printed all over it).

She’s going to want a hand bag. Just get her a plain black handbag.

I’m in my late 30’s and I’d happily buy it and use it myself, I don’t think it’s babyish at all. Flowers are pretty.

I think you're right to think about this is it can be such a sensitive time. I am totally in favour of individuality and not being a sheep but an 11/12yo in the first year of secondary often doesn't see it that way.

My DD had a pastel bag she loved but quickly dumped it in favour of a cheap plain black one, and kept the pretty one for home use. Now 4 years into high school she still only wants an ultra-plain, non-branded black backpack. (This is despite being quite rebellious in her look generally, she's not a conformist - but the bag must be plain black!)

But as PPs have said it depends on the school - flowery and pretty could be the big trend, or you might find she's a trendsetter.

If you can afford it and she loves it, I'd say get it but have the option of getting a plain one. That sounds indulgent but you can always use the flowery one out of school, and plain ones aren't expensive.

Either way though I don't think that bag is "young" it's quite grown-up pretty IMO.

If it's what she wants I'd get it for her. And if she finds its not cool and causes her distress I'd get her another, and not be hard on her. It's a good quality bag and will be used for day trips, sleepovers etc. It might be in occasional use for the next 20 years. I'm bag shopping with DD for exactly the same purpose next week so I'm reading with interest

This.

My daughter is just finishing year 7 and 100% does not want a handbag. It’s not her ‘aesthetic’.

The child will know what she wants more than an adult on Mumsnet but I would buy it and offer to get a cheaper one at half term if she then changes her mind.

If shes confident enough to carry it off then absolutely get it. My eldest started off with the super dry in black and floral (which was the in brand at the time) and then we graduated to the black vans one by S3/4.

My.youngest has went straight to black with no shits given on brand as long as it fits her entire bedroom in the side pockets 🤣🤣

The girls all have Tote handbags. I have experience of girls at 4 different schools including comp, grammar and private. It’s literally been the same everywhere.

Of course she’s free to take a rucksack but only on mums net do people make tote bags a problem.

All the girls in my school have huge handbags.
They walk around with scrunchies in their hair and leggings on like middle aged mums!

Always makes me laugh

That would stand out a lot at DDs’ school. They do use backpacks not totes (thank god) but plain and dull colours. Better for dirt too.

I agree with the suggestion to use any existing bag for the first week and then ask what she wants after she’s seen what everyone has.

I‘m intrigued by the idea of teenage girls bringing tote bags to school - I’m not in the UK, and here all secondary school kids use backpacks, in a range of colours and patterns. The one in the OP would not raise any eyebrows whatsoever.

‘Intrigued’ 😂😂😂😂

It’s just a large bag with a zip that they put their books and lunch in.

At that age they want to fit in and not be noticed and not be different, a plain black Nike or Adidas is the safest bet!

They have all sorts at our school. Its fine!

not totes (thank god)

🤣🤣🤣 Jeez

They tend to be these or Michael Korrs at our school.

Picture didn’t add

Its so nice to have a different one so when all the bags get piled up for PE or trips etc, you can find your one easily, unlike those who all get the same one in the same 3 colours!

So long as she knows what she likes and doesnt feel the need to follow the crowd (sheep) then she'll be fine and should have the bag she wants!

I'm a secondary school teacher and find students are getting better at expressing themselves slowly, but surely!

Dd year 7, all have black, all brands- Nike usually! Yes it wod stand out. Wait until end of july, she will have had her transitio days at school so can see what everyone else has, thats what we did. Hence black Nike backpack and black Nike trainers!