Photo courtesy of Rangeview News
Across the United States and here at JCHS, high school seniors are wearing kiddie backpacks for their last school year. School fashion has been an outlet of expression for students for years. Trendy bookbags in the 21st century have been under brands such as Sprayground, Jansport, and Nike. But when bright, cartoon-themed or game-themed bags come into the demographic for high school seniors specifically, one may question why and when did these backpacks become “in,” and what exactly is being expressed.
Many seniors were aware of the trend even before this year and had the urge to participate from beforehand. “They were sold out everywhere,” Shares Mollie Fileti, a senior here at JCHS. She had wanted to get a kiddie backpack of her own, but the trend proved so popular that they were sold out across multiple stores, like Target. Instead, she nominated a blue Jansport to be her trusty bookbag for her last year of high school. Regarding her choice, she said, “It has a lot of pockets, and I’m not too sure that kiddie backpacks have the same.”
Jansports are highly functional and more typical for high school students to buy. Usually, backpacks made for adolescent children may be fit for smaller bodies, aesthetically outdated or immature, and perhaps impractical for a busy high school senior. So, what makes kiddie backpacks win over brands like Jansport?
Mya Cornet answers that, “[the backpacks] are super unique, and they bring you back to your childhood even as you’re stepping into adulthood.” A participant in the trend, Mya sports a fun kiddie backpack for her last year here at JCHS. She believes that the kindergarten-esque backwear are not only different from typical backpacks, but they also hold a sentimental tie back to her childhood. It may be less common than a Jansport or Nike Elite, but these backpacks kindly remind Mya to “not take things too seriously and enjoy being a kid,” she shares.
Users on TikTok claim that sporting childish bookbags as seniors has been a thing since the early 2000’s. (Viator Voice) But it’s undeniable that the graduating class of 2025 has made waves with the recent high level of participation. Mya’s take on the trend’s recent popularity: “I saw a few people using those bags here and there, but overall, I think this year it’s become a huge trend.” Wearing kiddie backpacks has brought a lot of young and soon-to-be adults together, and while the class of 2025 may not be the first graduating class to participate, the spike in popularity is notable, and mostly owed to social media.
So while it may appear silly for 17 and 18 year-olds to spend their money on cute and colorful book bags made for children, students agree that it’s mainly to express gratitude and remind them of their youth. If you happen to see one of these kiddie backpacks freckling the halls here at JCHS, it could serve as a reminder for you, too, to hold onto your childhood even as life gets more serious.
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Sources:
Senior backpacks: a new and creative trend
Seniors Are Wearing Kids’ Backpacks To School This Year For A New Trend and We Are Loving It.
