
Photos: Want to be the coolest kid in class?

EARTH-FRIENDLY EATING: Whether it’s on the conscience of students or their parents, eco-friendly lunch gear should always be in style. And it’s cheaper in the long run. Trade the traditional brown paper bag and wasteful cardboard juice boxes for something that is as remarkable as it is reuseable. Lunchskins: reusable sandwich and snack bags, starting at $7.85 at www.lunchskins.com.
| August 29, 2012

Platypus collapsible 1-liter SoftBottle water bottle in tangerine, $8.95 at www.llbean.com.
L. L. Bean
| August 29, 2012

Thermos vehicle-shaped lunch boxes, $9.99 each at Target store locations.
| August 29, 2012

Kids Konserve nesting trio of stainless steel snack containers, $27 at www.kidskonserve.com.
| August 29, 2012

Skateboard print lunch box, $7.94 at Old Navy store locations.
Old Navy
| August 29, 2012

Gone are the days when a simple canvas Jansport or a monogrammed L.L. Bean was just enough (though we are rather nostalgic for the classics). Today’s kids have a plethora of snazzy backpacks to opt for this season. From funky to fuzzy to bejeweled (or all of the above), novelty book bags worth a second take have officially made our must-have list:
| August 29, 2012

'CONVERSATION STARTER' STATIONARY: While Lisa Frank stickers were our schoolyard currency of choice, Gen Z can stock up on a multitude of the quirky pencil box supplies that can turn everything from calculus to correspondence into an opportunity to showcase personal style. Girl Scout stationery set, $8.99 at www.modcloth.com.
| August 29, 2012

Delfonics for Top Hat marking clips, $12 per pack at www.madewell.com.
Asos.com
| August 29, 2012

The Curiosity Shop at Target stationery supplies, $5-$10 at Target stores on Sept. 9.
| August 29, 2012

Watermelon and strawberry mini notebooks and ham and cheese adhesive notes, $1-$1.99 at Staples store locations.
| August 29, 2012

Glam rocks scissors, stapler, notebooks, and folders, $2-$4 at Target store locations.
| August 29, 2012

Streekers Wild Weekend temporary hair colors (don’t worry, mom — it washes out!), $11.95 at Ulta in Natick and Everett.
| August 29, 2012

HEAD-TO-TOE HUES: Colors have been as vibrant as ever these past few seasons in fashion and this fall, so students can expect these happy hues to follow them straight to the classroom. Mini Boden slim fit corduroys in Violet and Beetroot, $30 each at www.bodenusa.com.
| August 29, 2012

Tony Hawk Skinny slouch-fit jeans in biking red, $44 at Kohl’s store locations.
| August 29, 2012