Old school cool (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Old school cool

7:00am Saturday 8th September 2012 in Lifestyle

Channel the back to school mood with preppy accessories for adults. Lisa Haynes rounds up 10 of the best.

By Lisa Haynes

The bell is about to ring for the start of a new term. But who cares if your actual school days are a very distant memory? You can still be top of the class with this season's preppy look that show you mean business for work or play.

Old-school rucksacks and satchels are having a fashion moment, but if you want to channel new cool, dress up your technology gadgets with stylish covers to stand out from the crowd.

Make sure you're top of the style class this season.

:: Teacher tote

Functional but fashionable is the lesson to be learned from preppy chic. Accessorize's autumnal collection of satchels and totes should ensure you're head and shoulders above the rest, from £22 (0844 811 0068/www.accessorize.com).

:: Class-y colours

Who says satchels have to be bland? Inject some cheer into your everyday uniform with Fiorelli's bright and beautiful Lorenzo colour block satchel, £59 at House of Fraser (020 7003 4000/www.houseoffraser.co.uk).

:: Laptop lesson

Go wild in fashion's print playground with statement leopard. Show your laptop some love with Kurt Geiger's Leo laptop sleeve, £45 (www.kurtgeiger.com).

:: Tan tactics

Leather plus tan plus structured bag equals good fashion mathematics. Ted Baker's Moro large leather frame bag will survive season after season, £269 (0845 130 4278/www.tedbaker.com).

:: Lulu library

Bookworms rejoice. Browse all the stylish titles that made the cut on the cover of Lulu Guinness's black library large Ethel tote, £245 (0843 208 0177/www.luluguinness.com).

:: Clutch equation

Save your pocket money with a multifunctional product. Mary Portas's Pouchette bag gets a gold star for doubling up as an iPad case for work and pretty clutch for play, £59 at House of Fraser (020 7003 4000/www.houseoffraser.co.uk).

:: Satchel chic

The Cambridge Satchel Company has given the classic satchel a detention and reworked the style with neons, pastels and brights, like eye-popping purple, £74. You can even personalise your bag with your initials, for £5 per letter (www.cambridgesatchel.co.uk).

:: Style swot

Trick passers-by into thinking your super-sized bag is stuffed with mind-expanding books. Try Sofie D'Hoore's Fez bag for size, £437 at Fenwick stores nationwide.

:: Techno reader

If your Kindle has become your best pal, make it stand out amidst your handbag jumble. Topshop's bright geo print e-reader case should make reading resumption easier, £15 (www.topshop.com).

:: Organised prefect

Do your homework pre-splurge and ensure your bag has pockets aplenty. Aubrey's Belmont tote handbag has two internal pockets and five internal compartments for all your essentials, £195 at John Lewis (0845 6049 049/www.johnlewis.com).

Get the look

Jessica Biel adds a modern edge to her white dress with neon heels. Step into Kurt Geiger for their similar pair of KG Carey pink courts, £120 (www.kurtgeiger.com).

Buy it now

Mama-to-be Fearne Cotton goes Geisha glamorous for her eighth collection for Very.co.uk. Key pieces include a kimono-inspired dress, asymmetric jumpsuit and jumper dress. Available now, prices range from £12-£99 (0844 822 2321/www.very.co.uk).

Fashion flash

:: In the genes

When it comes to staples, jeans come top of the clothes pile. Almost half (42%) of women wear jeans at least five times a week, according to Marks & Spencer research. Most women have between four and five pairs of jeans in their wardrobe they wear regularly. The survey marks the launch of the new Body Shape Denim for M&S Woman, which focuses on shape rather than size to achieve perfect fit jeans. Three styles for pear, hourglass and apple are launching on September 5, available in three leg lengths, priced £25 each (www.marksandspencer.com).

:: Recessionista alert

International Fashion Week season is approaching but you can do designer style on a budget at McArthurGlen's first Designer Outlet Fashion Month. Sign up for a 10% privilege card throughout September at your local UK McArthurGlen Designer Outlet at www.mcarthurglen.com/dofm. Take your confirmation email to the customer service desk and you'll bag a free designer Holly Fulton shopper while stocks last.