20 School Supplies You Couldn’t Wait to Show Off

Nostalgia hits hard when you think of those first days of school, strutting into class with your carefully curated arsenal of school supplies. These weren’t just tools for learning; they were a reflection of your style, status, and personality. From the ultra-trendy to the purely functional, these items made you the talk of the locker row—or at least gave you a moment of fame at your desk. Here’s a trip down memory lane with 20 school supplies that turned ordinary school days into your personal runway.

1. Lisa Frank Everything

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If rainbows, unicorns, and neon leopards had a party, it would look like Lisa Frank’s product line. These binders and folders were so bright they could have been mistaken for a disco ball. Owning even one of these instantly made you the trendiest kid in class. Lisa Frank was less about practicality and more about making a statement: “I have pizzazz, and I know it.”

2. Gel Pens in Every Color

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Not just a pen, but a vibe. Gel pens gave your notes flair, turning the dullest history lecture into a canvas of metallic and pastel art. You’d trade colors with friends like they were prized baseball cards. If your notes didn’t shimmer or sparkle, were you even trying?

3. Trapper Keeper

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The Trapper Keeper wasn’t just a binder; it was an experience. With its Velcro flap and endless customization options, it was the Swiss Army knife of school supplies. Owning one made organizing your homework feel like an elite secret agent mission. Plus, the sound of that Velcro ripping open? Pure power move.

4. Erasable Pens

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For those who wanted the sophistication of ink without the risk of permanent regret, erasable pens were life-changing. Sure, the ink was more like crayon, and the eraser kind of smeared everything, but that didn’t matter. Just owning one gave you a level of academic swagger unmatched by regular old pencils.

5. Scented Markers

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What genius decided markers should smell like fruit? They deserve a medal. These weren’t just markers; they were a sensory experience. Everyone sniffed the black one, hoping it was licorice but recoiling when it smelled like sad chemicals instead. Grape was always the crowd-pleaser.

6. Mechanical Pencils

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Regular pencils were for amateurs. A mechanical pencil, with its clicky mechanism and sleek design, made you feel like a sophisticated scholar. The real MVPs were the kids who had a stash of extra lead to share. Bonus points if your eraser was still intact by mid-semester.

7. Five-Star Notebooks

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When it came to notebooks, Five-Star was the Rolls-Royce. Their sturdy covers and durable rings screamed, “I take my studies—and my aesthetic—seriously.” You’d flip through those reinforced pages like you were signing an important contract. Cheaper notebooks just couldn’t compete.

8. Pencil Cases with Compartments

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A pencil case wasn’t just for pencils; it was a treasure chest. The more zippers and secret compartments, the cooler it was. Bonus points if it had a calculator built in, even if it barely worked. It wasn’t about function; it was about flexing.

9. Fuzzy Notebooks

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Fuzzy notebooks were impractical, but who cared? They were soft, fluffy, and made you feel like royalty every time you jotted down a reminder. Sure, they got dirty in record time, but for those first pristine weeks, they were iconic.

10. Novelty Erasers

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No one actually used these erasers to erase anything. Shaped like fruits, animals, or miniature sports equipment, they were collectibles more than tools. You’d trade them during recess, and losing one felt like a personal tragedy. They were your first taste of high-stakes trading.

11. Highlighters in Neon Colors

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Highlighting was the only acceptable form of graffiti in school. A set of neon highlighters made you feel like an academic artist. The real flex was the multi-colored clicker highlighter. Every note became a masterpiece under the bright glow of yellow, pink, and green.

12. Mini Stapler

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Tiny, adorable, and surprisingly functional, the mini stapler was a power move in any classroom. The sound of it clamping down on a pile of papers was music to your organized soul. If you had colored staples? Game over. You were the king or queen of desk supplies.

13. White-Out Tape

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Who needed erasers when you had White-Out tape? It was cleaner, faster, and came with the added drama of rolling it over your mistakes. Peeling off a messed-up strip and starting over felt oddly satisfying. Plus, it gave you a moment to pause and reevaluate your life choices.

14. Crayola 64-Count Box

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This wasn’t just a box of crayons; it was a cultural icon. The built-in sharpener in the back was a genius move, even if it left the crayons stubby and weirdly shaped. Opening that lid felt like unearthing buried treasure. No one dared ask to borrow your “Macaroni and Cheese” color.

15. Customized Binder Covers

Image Credit: Wenzhou Yiyu Stationery Co., Ltd.

If your binder wasn’t a collage of cut-out magazine clippings and doodles, you were doing it wrong. These covers were your chance to showcase your favorite bands, TV shows, or crushes. It was like Instagram before Instagram existed.

16. Calculator Watches

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Nothing screamed “I’m a math whiz” like a calculator watch. Sure, it wasn’t the most practical, but it was pure geek-chic. You’d pretend to use it for complex equations, but mostly you just showed it off during lunch. It was tech royalty in the analog age.

17. Accordion Folders

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These were like briefcases for middle schoolers. With a pocket for every subject, they made you feel ridiculously organized. The only downside? Keeping the accordion from exploding into chaos by December. But for those few golden weeks, you were on top of the world.

18. Bookmarks with Tassels

A bookmark with a tassel wasn’t just a placeholder; it was a status symbol. The tassel added flair, swishing around as you carried it. Bonus points if it was sparkly or had a motivational quote. Forget dog-earing your pages—this was next-level book etiquette.

19. Paper Mate Flair Pens

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These weren’t pens; they were an artist’s dream. The felt tips glided across the page, turning every sentence into a calligraphy masterpiece. Teachers used them for grading, but you used them to flex your superior penmanship. In your hands, even a grocery list looked like fine art.

20. Rolling Backpacks

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Controversial but unforgettable, rolling backpacks were either the peak of practicality or the ultimate nerd alert. You could spot one coming a mile away with its distinctive rumble. The lucky few who rocked them with confidence? They owned the hallways, one wheelie at a time.

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