25 School Bags That Aren't Backpacks But Still Have Room For All Your Stuff
And just like that, I'm suddenly very excited for the first day of school.
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1. A faux leather reversible bag that pulls together any outfit you throw on so you can hit the snooze button three more times and still make it to your morning class on time. It also comes with a wristlet to hold the essentials you know will get lost at the bottom of this cavernous bag.
Promising review: "Okay so I’m 25 and I bought this bag when I was like 14/15 to use for school and I USED it for school. I mean I lugged huge books and other random stuff in it for YEARS. Fast forward to today and I now use it as a diaper bag for my 10-month-old! It had some wear and tear from the years of use so I was actually looking to replace it but then gave up and just ordered the same bag again but in a different color and I am so happy I did!!! It’s a great book bag, work bag, everyday tote, AND diaper bag!" —csienk
Get it from Nordstrom for $49 (also available in cognac).
2. A leopard-print bag so you can still get ~wild~ for your early-morning classes.
Get it from Baggu for $34 (available in 13 colors).
3. An oversized tote with a motivational message to remind you that tacos are on the way — now all you have to do is make it through the school day.
Get it from Amazon for $20 (available in six prints).
4. A water-resistant Longchamp tote that can keep your laptop and important school notes dry when you're caught in a surprise storm.
Promising review: "I bought my first ever Longchamp Le Pliage tote when I was in high school in 2008. I used it for school then, traveled around with it, moved countries (and continents) with it on my shoulder, used it in the sun, rain and snow... I mean everywhere, with any conditions, and this bag NEVER failed me. It's so insanely durable, practical, fits everywhere once you fold it, slightly waterproof (even though it's not meant to be), and just makes you look good." —Toteofalifetime
Get it from Nordstrom for $145 (available in four colors).
5. A professional laptop bag so you look put together even if you're running on five hours of sleep (someone point me in the direction of coffee, pls).
We recommend adding a shoulder pad strap for extra comfort.
Promising review: "I am a middle school teacher who bought this bag to carry to and from school, and it fits my Chromebook, several file folders full of papers, charging cord, water bottle, pens/pencils, phone, notebooks, and textbooks nicely!" —Maria C
Get it from Amazon for $40.99+ (available in three colors).
6. A roomy everyday bag that'll look as good in the classroom as it does outside it.
Get it from Nordstrom for $45.
7. A slouchy bucket bag with four outer pockets so your essentials — like snacks to refuel between classes — will always be within your reach.
Promising review: "I love that this bag is the perfect size to hold everything I need during the day including my calendar book, journal, wallet, phone, and papers that I will need throughout the day. I also love the inside bag to stow some power bars, a phone charger, hair ties, and lip gloss. Outside pocket is convenient for the things I need easy access to like my phone and keys. It sits easily on my shoulder. AND I love that this is not leather. No guilt, just love!" —JustmeinNC
Get it from Anthropologie for $78 (available in four colors).
8. A state-themed tote bag to remember all the things you love about home, whether you're going to school in a different state or you just have a lot of hometown pride.
Get it from Uncommon Goods for $45 (available in all 50 states).
9. A vegan leather tote that's all business — the perfect finishing touch for any career fair outfit. The gold feet and hardware are a classy addition, plus it comes with a removable mini bag that'll help you keep the contents of your purse organized.
10. An expensive-looking convertible faux leather tote with chic gold hardware that's an instant upgrade from the ratty school bag you've been using for the last few years.
11. A pebbled leather tote to house all your textbooks, notebooks, pens, pencils, water bottle, and jacket.
Promising review: "I bought this bag to use for school and I LOVE it! It is so cute and classy. It is the perfect size and holds all of my books, pens, and other essentials for class. I love the tassel detail. This bag looks so much more expensive than it really is, and I get compliments on it all the time." —Beth
Get it from Amazon for $11.42+ (available in 42 colors).
12. An adorable faux-leather satchel with room for a 14-inch laptop and a few notebooks.
Promising review: "Looks great. Very elegant. Reviewers were spot on about the strong new bag smell inside but the smell is already better and I may use baking soda small bags later to get rid of it faster, but it is very nice and fits my MacBook among all my other stuff, including the current huge book I'm reading for school." —JJ
Get it from Amazon for $45.99+ (available in two sizes and five colors).
13. A vintage satchel for the people who need room for extra pens, pencils, notebooks, and binders because you can never be too prepared.
Promising review: "I use this bag for traveling to and from on the train and it fits my MacBook Air and school work perfectly, while being a stylish and comfortable bag to have on your shoulder. It has survived lots of traveling without falling apart or getting scratched." —Genevieve
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in four colors).
14. A shoulder bag with heavy duty zippers and deep pockets to protect your homework
15. A spacious shopper that allows for easy access to all your books, pens, and pencils.
Get it from H&M for $24.99 (available in three colors)
16. A waterproof nylon shoulder bag for busy teachers who want a single tote that can accomodate all their graded papers plus a lunch box.
Promising review: "I'm a teacher and use it for taking my things to/from school. The pockets on the side are large enough to hold my 32-ounce Nalgene water bottle, and the three zipper compartments (large one in front, smaller in the back and on inside) are enough to hold my belongings without me putting excess in. I can fit my laptop, seven classes worth of papers, and my lunch (disclaimer: my lunchbox is slim, so it's pretty easy to fit), alongside miscellaneous other items." —Kate
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in 32 colors).
17. A 3-in-1 tote bag with two removable mini pouches for things like stationery and writing tools. Carry this bag by its handles or use the detachable shoulder strap depending on how many textbooks you have to lug around that day.
Get it from Anthropologie for $88 (available in five colors).
18. A Madewell leather tote that's the perfect #treatyoself gift because this school year is going to be a long one...oh so very long...
19. A ginormous canvas tote so you can have your very own Mary Poppins bag. It has room for all the leftovers you'll inevitably have to sneak out of the dining hall.
Get it from Baggu for $62 (available in five colors).
20. A structured bag with tassels that practically screams, "I'm an adult." (No one has to know that the only thing in your fridge rn is pizza rolls because you haven't bought groceries since your parents moved you into the dorms.)
Get it from Anthropologie for $88 (available in three colors).
21. A canvas tote bag for busy students who need a bag that's going to work as hard as they do.
Get it from Nordstrom for $40 (available in four colors).
22. A drawstring tote you can wear on your shoulder or comfortably grab by the handles. This splurge-worthy leather bag will last you through all of college if you take care of it.
23. A hobo bag with half a dozen compartments to keep your classwork separated.
24. An expandable bag that can hold up to 25 pounds of textbooks, notebooks, planners, and all the other random crap in our school bags — and it shrinks back down to normal size so you can easily store it.
Get it from Uncommon Goods for $40.
25. A monogramed bag so you'll avoid that awkward moment when you and three other people realize you've bought the same school bag.
Get it from Nordstrom for $57.50.
26. A foldable tote bag you can tuck into itself for easy storage — a space-saving solution in cramped dorm rooms.
Promising review: "Really nice bag/backpack, and the price is so very reasonable. It is a beautiful yellow, good size to haul most anything, and can quickly convert into a backpack so you are hands-free. Great design." —Homesteadcat
Get it from Nordstrom for $28 (available in 13 colors).
27. A sturdy patterned tote that won't break in the hallway while you're on the way to your next class, leaving you to run after loose papers and pencils (because that's never happened to me before hahahaha).
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 12 colors).
28. A shiny tortoiseshell carrier with plenty of room for your laptop, books, agenda, pencil case, sweater, water bottle, coffee maker, hopes, and dreams, etc.
Get it from Asos for $48.
29. A durable leather crossbody satchel to use this school year...and the next one...and the one after that.
Promising review: "So this lovely bag just arrived today and my daughter absolutely LOVES it! She will be using it as a satchel for school to replace carrying a backpack. It has lots of inside compartments, and the outside compartments latch securely. We love the genuine leather smell and love the rich brown color." —M.C.
Get it from Amazon for $49.99.
It's never too early to start preparing for back-to-school season!
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Check out these stories if you're already counting down the days until school starts:
— 28 School Supplies Under $10 That Are Actually Worth Your Money
— 25 Back-To-School Products You'll Want To Buy Even If You're Not In School
— 42 Practical Dorm Essentials You Absolutely Won't Regret
— 31 Things That'll Make Your Dorm Feel Like It's A Home Away From Home
Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed's gift guides!
