The Best 10 Bags To Carry Your School Stuff In That Aren’t Backpacks

Take a look at these bags to carry your school stuff in that are fashionable and practical! You don't need backpacks when you have these!

I don’t know about you, but up until I started college I picked out a new school bag every year. Sometimes they were traditional backpacks and sometimes they were not. I feel like everyone nowadays, especially college students, only carry around backpacks. There’s certainly nothing wrong with backpacks, but they just get a little boring after a while, no? Some of you may disagree and be completely content with carrying around your backpack and that is totally fine – you do you, girl. But for those of you that agree with me and want to change things up a bit, here are a few ideas for bags to carry your school stuff in!

1. Tote Bags

Tote bags can be a great alternative to backpacks – they’re large enough to fit all your stuff, but are typically more trendy than a traditional backpack. You can find tote bags pretty much anywhere, but just in case you need a little direction, Vera Bradley offers a plethora of different patterns so you’re sure to find one you love, and they also usually offer a back to school sale. This is one of the trendy bags to carry your school stuff in.

2. Laptop Bags

These bags are perfect for college students. As their title suggests, they fit your laptop nice and secure in a little side pocket, and they also have room for your books. These are also offered at Vera Bradley in a wide variety of patterns and colors.

3. Shoulder Bags

While these are typically seen as pocketbooks, if you buy one large enough, they can double as a school bag. You can fit all your school supplies in them, as well as your personal items that you’d typically carry around in your pocketbook. So now instead of carrying around a backpack and a pocketbook, you can just carry around your shoulder bag. These can be found almost anywhere – Vera Bradley, Michael Kors, Coach, TJ Maxx, Macy’s, etc.

4. Messenger Bags

Messenger bags were the popular school bag to have back when I was in elementary and middle school. That doesn’t mean, however, that they can’t make a come back. They can be found anywhere you’d buy a regular backpack, they fit just as much stuff, and they come in a plethora of different designs and colors. Make a statement and bring back the messenger back this Fall. This is one of the trendy bags to carry your school stuff in.

5. Diaper Bags

I know what you’re thinking, but just hear me out. When you think about it, any bag can be used as a school bag. Plus, most diaper bags really don’t look any different from what would be considered a typical pocketbook. They hold a lot of stuff and they even have side compartments for you to carry around a water bottle and snacks to keep you energized throughout the day. Don’t knock it till you try it.

6. Beach Bags

If you just can’t let go of summer, consider using a beach bag this school year. They’re typically pretty large, so they will fit all of your supplies, and they also usually come in fun patterns and colors. Keep summer alive all school year long by replacing your backpack with a beach bag. This is one of the trendy bags to carry your school stuff in.

7. Duffel Bags

If you have a large amount of school supplies to carry around and participate in a sport or go to the gym or work after class, a duffel bag would make the perfect school bag for you. Not only will it fit all of your school supplies, but it will also easily fit the change of clothes you’ll need if you have some place to be right after class. Vera Bradley usually has the best (and cutest) duffel bags.

8. Satchel Bags

These bags are typically seen in Michael Kors and are often used as pocketbooks, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t also be used as a school bag. They’re a decent size, so there should be no problem fitting all of your school supplies, and they’re also incredibly fashionable. It’s a win-win situation.This is one of the trendy bags to carry your school stuff in.