Longchamp tote bags have become a common sight this school year, with students across multiple grades using them instead of traditional backpacks. While some students say the bags are more convenient and stylish, others question whether they are practical enough for everyday school use. The trend has grown over the past year, largely influenced by social media and other students at school.
Most students agreed that the shift started sometime last year.
“Towards the end of first semester junior year was when I first noticed the trend,” Elsie Trilling ‘26 said. “Now, I see more people with these bags than I see people with backpacks,” she said.
Stella Scanlon ‘29, who does not use a Longchamp bag, also said she has seen an increase. “Especially some of the freshman girls are also starting to do it too,” she said.
Social media plays a role in the popularity of the bags. Multiple students mentioned TikTok as the main place where they saw them.
Elle Faerber ‘28 said she feels like the bags “wouldn’t have become as trendy if it wasn’t for TikTok or even Instagram ads.”
Graham Faust ‘26 agreed. He said “social media has all influence over this.” Students described seeing people online styling the bags as part of outfits, which made them want to try it for themselves.
“I believe it was two years ago when Michelle Jing, who goes to Ladue, started carrying it at school and I thought that it was cute,” Lexie Kummant ‘26 said. Kummant said she started bringing the bag to school during the winter term of her sophomore year. “I remember I was very intimidated since I was trying something new,” she said. “People would laugh when you try new things.” However, she said that quickly changed as more students began to adopt the trend.
Other students also pointed to Kummant as an early influence.
“I started noticing the trend from last year, one of my close friends, Lexie Kummant, was the one who started bringing that type of bag to school,” Edia O’Basuyi ‘26 said. At first, she did not think much of it, but then more students started using them. “Ever since then, I feel like it’s really gotten big,” she said.
Students who use Longchamp bags said convenience and style are the main reasons they prefer them.
“Also it’s just easier to throw everything in and out without dealing with a bunch of zippers,” Faerber said.
“At first, I got the bag to travel because I didn’t like bringing my backpack, because it was annoying, and this was easier since it made stuff accessible,” Trilling said. She eventually started using it at school as well and completely stopped using a backpack.
“It’s also really simple so it’s really adorable. I don’t even know where my backpack is,” she said.
Durability was another reason some students liked the bags.
“I bang my bag around and throw it everywhere, and it’s holding up pretty well,” Faerber said.
“Also, I had my bag for so long and it has held up pretty well so I believe that it’s worth the price,” Trilling said.
Even though many students like the bags, others said they are not practical for school. “My backpack holds everything better, and it’s just easier to carry a bunch of things,” Scanlon said.
“I think backpacks are more efficient and effective than Longchamp bags for everyday school use,” Faust said.
Comfort is also a concern for some students. O’Basuyi said she avoids using the bags because they only go over one shoulder.
“I just feel like it would cause more physical issues than a normal backpack and a backpack is just more comfortable and I feel like it’s more reliable,” she said.
Students also had mixed opinions about the price of the bag. Longchamp bags usually cost around $150, which some students think is reasonable, while others do not.
“The price is worth it because the bag lasts a long time and compares well to other brands,” Faerber said.
“We, as consumers, are paying for the brand and for the aesthetic. We’re not paying for the quality of the bag or anything, or not just the quality,” Kummant said.
Other students disagreed. When asked if it was worth the price, Scanlon said “Oh my gosh, no.”
Faust also said he does not think the bags should cost that much for how they are used. “Personally, I don’t think they should be around $200 for the use that people get out of them,” he said.
When asked about the future of the trend, students gave different answers. Some believe it will continue, especially as students get older.
“I think the trend will continue as kids get to college, they will not want the backpack, and they’ll want the cool, Longchamp bag,” Faust said.
Trilling also said she thinks the trend will last.
“I’ve seen it on almost every single college visit I’ve been on,” she said.
Others think the trend will fade or change.
“I feel like it’s temporary and don’t feel like every grade level is going to keep doing that. I also feel like it’s starting to see it kind of die down or level off,” Scanlon said.
O’Basuyi compared it to older trends, like the VSCO style, which was popular for a while and then faded.
“The trend will last for a while and then maybe a new kind of bag will come in and everyone’s gonna get it. I believe most things like that are always like trends that are constantly coming in and going out,” she said.
Students also had different opinions on whether the bags say anything about a person. “Carrying a Longchamp might mean that they follow trends and are more active on social media,” Faerber said.
“It might also mean that they are more preppy or like to hop on trends more,” O’Basuyi said. “And they fit a certain image like they want to be the ‘it girl’,” she said.
However, “I think it’s primarily about personal preference and doesn’t really speak to someone’s character,” Kummant added.
The future of the trend is unpredictable. O’Basuyi questions the future of the bags: “how much longer until the Longchamp bags are taken over by another brand? A couple of months or a year max?”
