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).