Back-to-school style: the best backpacks and handbags to buy right now
- Posted by
- Moya Crockett
- Published

Much of the UK might be experiencing a last-minute heatwave, but don’t be fooled. The final August bank holiday is almost upon us, and you know what that means: autumn is coming.
But if the thought of putting away the tanning oil and vest tops for another year is enough to make you experience a minor existential crisis, don’t be downhearted. Early autumn is great! Cold weather won’t properly set in for a while yet, we can start wearing jumpers and ankle boots again, and – best of all – there’s that exciting, start-of-term nip in the air.
We might not be at school anymore, but there’s something about that clean-slate September feeling that still makes us feel like we need to dash out to the shops and stock up on new stationary, smart shoes, and a sturdy bag that can withstand carrying all our junk for the year ahead.
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 20 of the best back-to-school bags currently in the shops – from high street to high end. Happy shopping.
Black leather leopard shopper
£80, River Island
Re-Kanken red backpack
£65, Fjallraven at Urban Outfitters
Bazar leather tote
£755, Balenciaga at Net-a-Porter
Leather bucket bag
£59.99, Zara
Portrait backpack
Pimlico grab bag
£199, Hobbs
Nylon backpack
£32, Topshop
Midi Zurich bag in navy
£475, Millu Millu
Dark green chain satchel
£22.99, New Look
Piper backpack
£189, Fossil
Transport satchel
£158.82, Madewell
Cutwork backpack
£25.99, Pull & Bear
Adeline handheld bag
£45, Accessorize
Mira tote in teal
£110, Auraque
Grey contrasting bag
£19.99, Mango
Florence minimal backpack
£59, Fiorelli at Asos
Louie open-top tote
£195, Reiss
Tan mix mini curve tote bag
£22, Dorothy Perkins
Slouch khaki shopper bag
£35, Marks and Spencer
Fluffy black leather backpack with pom pom
£150, Grafea