Return to the life of the mind with these stylish accessories and ease the transition from beach lolling to serious study.

From primary school to secondary; from university to a career in teaching: everyone knows the familiar jolt of anxiety before the big September return to school. There are many things to recommend the early autumn, from the welcome breeze to the first fluttering of crisp browning leaves to ravishing rashes of russet and gold creeping across the landscape. But back to school jitters can often bring both excitement and trepidation at once. In our experience, the best way to calm the nerves it is to kit yourself out with really good accessories, from bags to pencil cases. There is, after all, nothing that puts us in the mood for a studious spell like some really excellent stationery.

The Pencil Cases


A good pencil case is a thing of joy – even if it will end up with scribbled notes emblazoned across it by the end of the year. We love this stylish trio.

Metier

Pencil Case, £250

The Conran Shop

24-Cartridge Pencil Case Yellow, £49

Midori

Soft Pen Case, £9




The Rucksacks


We’re suckers for a good bag – but none inspires us to fill the capacity with improving volumes like a backpack does. These are the ones getting us excited for making our big back to school entrance.

Ucon Acrobatics

Lotus Hajo Mini Rolltop Backpack 14 Polyester, Polyurethane Orange, NOW £49

Sandqvist

Antonia Twill, £199

Sticky Lemon

Backpack Large | Envelope Collection, €64.95




The Notebooks


Keep up in class courtesy of these pretty notebooks. Being studious doesn’t mean slacking in the style stakes.

Papier

Colourblock, £23

Liberty London

Ianthe Handmade B5 Embroidered Journal, £15.99

Choosing & Keeping

Hardback ‘Composition Ledger’ Notebook, Baby Pink Spine, £35





The Pens & Pencils


They say that the pen is mightier than the sword. Record your musings for posterity with these glorious weapons of choice.

Papier

The Papier Pen, £9.99

Present & Correct

Two Tone Ballpoint, £6.50

Napa Dori

Classic Pencil Set Of 12, £11




The Extras


What good, we ask you, is a fancy pencil case if it is not filled with satisfying stationery? We love these items the most.

Present & Correct

Analog Rubber Stamps, £7.50

Objects of Use

White Koh-I-Noor Logo Eraser, £1

Present & Correct

Team Demi Office Set, £24



By Nancy Alsop
September 2022

Nancy Alsop

Editor

Nancy is a magpie for the best in design and culture.

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