As much as she may lament the end of summer, a true HuffPost Style-ite never feels sad when heading back to school[1] -- after all, what better setting is there to show off a cool new school bag?


Since schools today require heavy textbooks (and laptops), stylish schleppers prefer double-strapped bags to the smart-looking satchels of yore, as backpacks can bear more weight and are better for your back. But how did we get from these small carryalls to the patterned nylon (sometimes wheeled, even) monstrosities today? Let's take a spine-friendly walk down memory lane, all the way from the neat streets of the 1930s to Princess Isabella's first day of school[2] this year. Look out for more studious royals along the way!


1930s:


Schoolkids didn't even have bags yet -- just leather straps that held their books together.


1930


1940s:


In this decade, we start to see rad plaids and the modern backpack silhouette.


1940


1940


1950s:


One-strap styles become popular, as do leather backpacks and patterned lunchboxes (because even sandwiches need style help sometimes).


1950


1950


1955


1955


1955


1957


1959


1960s:


Many modern purses take cues from this era, during which we see more leather bags with short handles.


1960


1962


1965


1967


1970s:


The satchel reigns supreme.


1970


1971


1981


1980s:


Graphic novelty bags gain traction. Royals pledge their allegiance to Thomas the Tank Engine.


1986


Prince William, 1986

1987


Prince Harry, 1987

1989


Prince William and Prince Harry, 1989

1990s:


Hello, nylon!


1990


1993


1997


2000s:


Millennials require airport-ready backpacks that can maneuver themselves -- a symptom of how heavy our oversized backpacks have become.


2000


2006


2010s:


Patterns and name-brands like Jansport are in vogue. Keychains (like the Kipling monkey below) are still going strong.


2010


Princess Isabella, 2010

2010


2013


Princess Isabella, 2013

2013


2013


These bags are quite literally too cool for school:



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  • Leiber Dandelion Suede Gator Handbag


    Cost: $15,000




  • Nancy Gonzalez Porousus Bag


    Cost: $30,000




  • Fendi Selleria


    Cost: $38,000




  • Gadino Bag by Hilde Palladino


    Cost: $38,470




  • LV Tribute Patchwork Bag


    Cost: $42,000




  • Damien Hirst & The Row


    Cost: $50,000




  • Judith Leiber Precious Rose Bag


    Cost: $92,000




  • Hermes Matte Crocodile Birkin Bag


    Cost: $129,000




  • Lana Marks Cleopatra Bag


    Cost: $250,000




  • Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag


    Cost: $261,000





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