<p>Timbuk2 makes a variety of bags, backpacks, messenger bags, etc. They can be customized with graphics and colors. They are extremely sturdy. My daughter has had one for 2+ years now and we always chuckle when we see them on any campus we visit.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.timbuk2.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.timbuk2.com/</a></p>
<p>Sybbie, thanks. I just love the look. I have a small one - bought in Paris a few years ago - and they are so sturdy! Thanks. I'll try Saks.</p>
<p>I think the question really does vary according to school and personality. My D would be mortified to buy something because of name brand (I'll confess I'm such a rube that I havent heard of most of the brands mentioned here). But while in school (Wesleyan) she lived out of backpacks, usually worn to a frazzle and repaired with copious applications of duct tape.</p>
<p>apparently
I would not pay over $150. for something to haul books and with that it better last a lifetime
The northface is worth the money- I bought it for books but also for day hikes and I am irritated that D has usurped it for her books and won't give it back
the newer styles don't have pockets in the same configuration
I admit I am not a big bag person- I take as little as possible
my cellphone- my palm pilot in its case which doubles as a wallet- a haircomb which doubles as a "comb/barette" smashbox lipgloss ( just so you know I can be trendy), a couple pens... maybe some midol
thats it ( however I do have a milk crate in my jeep that I hold various notebooks that I need according to what meeting I am going to)- but a canvas tote suffices to carry them- I would feel really pretentious if I drug out my michael green briefcase( he used to design for coach)- besides I would probably set it down in a puddle :eek:</p>
<p>I do like stuff from ebags once in a while especially Tignanello which to me looks like some of these more expensive brand- I am saving up for my face lift when I hit 60, I can't carry a bag that costs more than what I have in my wallet!</p>
<p>In Claremont, Timbuk2 Messengers are in (you can design your own online, buy a premade one, or buy a giftcard) as are North Face backpacks. I have a Timbuk2 and I love it (and got it before I came to school - had no idea they were popular!) They are also very practical and stylish without being over-the-top expensive.</p>
<p>Yes, we are addicted to purses. Both of my girls got this from me. I know the first step is to admit it. </p>
<p>I have gotten a couple of little Vera's on ebay for good prices.</p>
<p>My daughter picked a pattern that they liked and the aunties went in together and gave her a tote for Christmas. The aunties loved it--and plan on giving her other items for b-days, etc.</p>
<p>Check out ck bradley, and also l.l. bean has a design your own tote section now.</p>
<p>I have the L.L. Bean Heatwave Messenger Bag for my books - actually, I can fit a lot in it and very rarely do I have to actually carry anything in my arms. Right now, I have three huge textbooks in it, along with two workbooks and a couple of notebooks. I've been pretty happy with it. Mine's a lavender color, but apparently that color's been discontinued. The only really "girly" colors they have are Jade and Powder Blue, I guess...</p>
<p>njmom - I read this entire thread and all I could think about was your comment "her mom just died of cancer in December". I had a hard time concentrating on the other posts after that. How sad. I think it's nice that YOU are concerned and want to do something especially nice for her.</p>
<p>I agree with Sybbie -- I go to Barnard, and most students here have bags from either Longchamp or Herve Chapelier. Very, very few students have backpacks.</p>
<p>Something you might consider is a nice leather portfolio, the kind you put a 8 1/2 by 11 notepad in. Its not something used everyday, but for interviews, presentations, meetings, etc, its such a nice thing to have. It is professional and can last a long time. Office supply stores have them, they come in all kinds of leather, can hold a calculator, business cards, pen....she is just starting for college, but its something she can have forever..and would fit in a large tote or backpack, or could be used for special stuff</p>
<p>Another item might be a fridge for her dorm...or take her shopping for bed linens...</p>
<p>I really like the longchamp bags...love the stripe thing on the ones on the website. I would love to get one of those as a gift...definately consider those!</p>
<p>I wouldn't choose a backpack - or other kind of bag -- for a person. It's one of those things where everyone has their own quirky preferences and needs - and it is very likely that you could spend good money, and get profuse thanks from a very sweet and appreciative girl - who tosses the bag in the closet and refuses to use it because it is (not sturdy enough / not big enough to fit all her books / so big that it is unweildy / ugly / uncomfortable / take your pick). This is especially true of you are are looking for "fashionable" - which often is a matter of opinion, and even more often is not practical. (The "fashionable" messenger bag my daughter wanted turned out to be too small to carry a normal sized binder - not much use to a school kid, though it is very cute)</p>
<p>You should either get her a gift certificate at a store that she can use on her own (Target, ebags, etc.) or else take her shopping and tell her that you will buy the bag she picks out. Given the fact that she recently lost her mom, if she lives near you, then I think the best gift you could give her would be your time spent shopping together.</p>
<p>calmom has hit the nail on the head. My daughter (like her mom, I admit it) is a bag freak. She has now had 3 book bags this year: started with the messenger type bag, went to a knit bag and now does the Vera Bradley thing (as does the rest of her preppy campus). It very much depends on the campus.</p>
<p>Shop together - what a wonderful present that would be. That would probably mean more to her than anything. All I can think of is that poor girl - getting ready to go to college with no mother to help her. My eyes fill with tears as I think about it. Being there to help her would be a blessing.</p>
<p>I agree with calmom. For all the recommendations of those preppie bags, my d. and her friends or any of the college students I work with wouldn't be caught dead with one of those. It takes all kinds but the gift certificate or shopping trip will ensure she gets something SHE likes, which is after all, the point. . . .</p>
<p>Ha. I was just going to say. Forget Mini's "preppie index" or Pell Grants or any of that stuff. USNEWS should just publish stats on the percentage of students carrying French designer book bags!</p>
<p>Interesteddad- I was thinking the same thing. My D is having a hard time with her final choice. She would definitely pick the school with the fewest designer bags.</p>
<p>When my D and I went to NYC over Christmas, she commented on the number of street vendors selling fake Prada bags, saying that she would have loved to have one in high school. I said I'd had no idea that Prada was trendy at her school. She said "oh that was a long time ago, even the irony of a fake Prada for $30 doesn't appeal to me now."</p>
<p>Cutting edge chic:
Pierre Deux Totes the dark colors are the "in" ones
navy, black..
<a href="http://www.pierredeux.com/boutique/showproduct.cfm?id=2836&catid=97&subid=158&menuoption=0%5B/url%5D">http://www.pierredeux.com/boutique/showproduct.cfm?id=2836&catid=97&subid=158&menuoption=0</a></p>
<p>Whichever you choose, consider having her initials professionally embroidered on it.</p>
<p>my 14 yr old went to NYC last spring and bought a fake Prada bag- unfortunately the zipper broke before they got back to her hostel, but she still likes it ( they also went into PRADA so they would know what to look for- still can't get over how much a keychain went for)</p>
<p>re bookbags
I did not even bring up the topic- but I was at a meeting last night and was chatting with parents of seniors
One mothers' D was going to be going to Villanova and when I mentioned that a friend had attended Bucknell( both penn) she commented" oh yes the girls there all have the same designer bag ( but in different colors for every day of the week)- turned her daughter off a little so she chose Villanova instead ;)</p>
<p>To comment on how different Reed is from schools where the dress is more formal- my daughters friend who brought nylons and heels with her as a freshman- stuck out.
Now I notice more girls wearing heels but I don't look close enough to see if they are wearing nylons.
oh
but if you want to get something really special but isn't quite as personal as picking out their backpack for them
<a href="http://www.neighborhoodies.com%5B/url%5D">www.neighborhoodies.com</a> has sweatshirts & tees that you can design yourself and are great quality</p>