What phone?

[Marv]

whatever the 40-50yo male geeks here think is cool is highly likely not aligned to the world of a teenage girl

There's no need to be so hurtful with the way to distribute the truth, SJ

[Gavster]

I can't imagine a kid wanting anything other than an iPhone surely? Refurbed iPhone 14 off eBay seems to be about £400 from a decent reseller.

And I wanted some Reebok Pumps when I was at school as well, but had to make do with Gola.

I got what I was given!

I wanted hi-top Nikes and got Hi-Tec instead, I really wouldn't want anyone else to go through the same level of suffering

[Swervin_Mervin]

RIC - the answer is whatever iPhone her bestie has (as long It’s not a iPhone 87 super mega plus pro extra or whatever tf the top model is now).

Peer pressure and conformity is real, whatever the 40-50yo male geeks here think is cool is highly likely not aligned to the world of a teenage girl

Standing up to peer pressure is character building.

I can definitely sympathise with those in here that have had to endure lesser branded footwear. My dad's favourite place for taking us shoe shopping was a World of Wynsors type place.

As for phones - still on my Pixel 7Pro here with no issues whatsoever. Battery life still great.

[Mito Man]

RIC - the answer is whatever iPhone her bestie has (as long It’s not a iPhone 87 super mega plus pro extra or whatever tf the top model is now).

Peer pressure and conformity is real, whatever the 40-50yo male geeks here think is cool is highly likely not aligned to the world of a teenage girl

Standing up to peer pressure is character building.

The Tony Blair approach

[Ascender]

I can't imagine a kid wanting anything other than an iPhone surely? Refurbed iPhone 14 off eBay seems to be about £400 from a decent reseller.

And I wanted some Reebok Pumps when I was at school as well, but had to make do with Gola.

I got what I was given!

First mention of Gola I can remember in about 40 years. Literally forgotten they were ever a thing!

I was clearly a spoilt brat, I got the Reebok Pumps.

[Gavster]

As long as it wasn't Pony, anything but Pony.

[mik]

had to make do with Gola.

I remember getting a pair of Gola trainers with white soles when I was about 14.

It was winter and I was out with friends- there was about 20cm of snow and everyone was out sledging, so - of course - we were all in our trainers.

Mine were almost new - so grips were barely worn - but as my mates ran up and down the snowy hill without significant issue, I could barely stand, let alone climb a slope. I suspect the white soles may actually have been soap. I seem to remember climbing the hill on hands & knees.

I'd like to think they were the Michelin Cup 2's of the trainer world, but I think they were crap in warm weather too, so more like the LingLong Ditchfinder 2 of the trainer world.

Had the piss ripped out of me for ages due to this incident.

[Beany]

I can't imagine a kid wanting anything other than an iPhone surely? Refurbed iPhone 14 off eBay seems to be about £400 from a decent reseller.

And I wanted some Reebok Pumps when I was at school as well, but had to make do with Gola.

I got what I was given!

First mention of Gola I can remember in about 40 years. Literally forgotten they were ever a thing!

I was clearly a spoilt brat, I got the Reebok Pumps.

I had Golas with a fake pumps. I definitely had Ponys too. Growing up dirt poor was not fun

[Swervin_Mervin]

I had a pair of Simod at a fairly critical age. Then one day one of the quickest runners in our year had forgotten his trainers so asked to borrow mine. Much piss ripping later he realised he had little other choice. He went and set a new lap record for the school's annual x-country race

[Brannen]

I do remember a lot of the brands that you used to get bullied for as a teenager, seem to be popular brands more recently. I remember having a pair of Fila trainers, and they weren't popular at all. Fast forward to more recent times, and they seem to be at least acceptable to wear.

I'm still not sure I could bring myself to buy anything that used to mean getting the piss ripped out of you.

[Swervin_Mervin]

I do remember a lot of the brands that you used to get bullied for as a teenager, seem to be popular brands more recently. I remember having a pair of Fila trainers, and they weren't popular at all. Fast forward to more recent times, and they seem to be at least acceptable to wear.

I'm still not sure I could bring myself to buy anything that used to mean getting the piss ripped out of you.

Huh? In 1993/94 Fila were the absolute kings You'd practically been made if you had a pair.

[Rich B]

I do remember a lot of the brands that you used to get bullied for as a teenager, seem to be popular brands more recently. I remember having a pair of Fila trainers, and they weren't popular at all. Fast forward to more recent times, and they seem to be at least acceptable to wear.

I'm still not sure I could bring myself to buy anything that used to mean getting the piss ripped out of you.

Huh? In 1993/94 Fila were the absolute kings You'd practically been made if you had a pair.

Some of these brands had a fairly limited run though - THE coolest brand one year, then you’re basically an outcast wearing them the next year.

[Brannen]

Fila were not cool when I started senior school in 99/00. At least at my school, they were seen as similar to Donnay etc. The sort of cheaper stuff that was sold in Sports Direct at the time was enough to be ripped apart. Had to appear more "premium" from other shops to avoid the comments. It's funny how stuff just falls out of favour.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Fila were not cool when I started senior school in 99/00. At least at my school, they were seen as similar to Donnay etc. The sort of cheaper stuff that was sold in Sports Direct at the time was enough to be ripped apart. Had to appear more "premium" from other shops to avoid the comments. It's funny how stuff just falls out of favour.

Showing my age then - as I was finishing uni in 99/00 If you weren't wearing Fruit of the Loom and Fila in '93/'94 you were no one.

After that it was Caterpillar.

[DeskJockey]

In high school (93-96) it was Diesel jeans, Caterpillar boots, Polo by RL t-shirts and jumpers, the jackets with the logo with ducks on for the boys, and same except optional Harley-Davidson leggings and boots for the girls.

For the girls there was also a Pandora charm bracelet/necklace requirement.

[240PP]

I do remember a lot of the brands that you used to get bullied for as a teenager, seem to be popular brands more recently. I remember having a pair of Fila trainers, and they weren't popular at all. Fast forward to more recent times, and they seem to be at least acceptable to wear.

I'm still not sure I could bring myself to buy anything that used to mean getting the piss ripped out of you.

Huh? In 1993/94 Fila were the absolute kings You'd practically been made if you had a pair.

Yeah I remember a couple of people at school having the Fila logo shaved into their head

[Swervin_Mervin]

I do remember a lot of the brands that you used to get bullied for as a teenager, seem to be popular brands more recently. I remember having a pair of Fila trainers, and they weren't popular at all. Fast forward to more recent times, and they seem to be at least acceptable to wear.

I'm still not sure I could bring myself to buy anything that used to mean getting the piss ripped out of you.

Huh? In 1993/94 Fila were the absolute kings You'd practically been made if you had a pair.

Yeah I remember a couple of people at school having the Fila logo shaved into their head

[duncs500]

Do 11 year olds have smartphones these days then? Think my niece is 10 and there's no way my sister would dream of giving her one any time soon. Haven't heard she's been getting bullied about it, thought they were banned in schools anyway?

[JonMad]

Some in my son's class do and he's just turned 9 (year 4).
They are in theory not allowed to use the phones in school time. My daughter's pretty good at sticking to the rules, fortunately. I'm sure it's a massive headache and waste of time for the teachers, a bit like trying to enforce proper school uniform, which they also seem to spend silly amounts of time on.

[DeskJockey]

Yes, 9-10yos are getting them. Our eldest got his for doing the 11+, that was a theme at our school, but some had them from Y4.

I think it is madness, but the peer pressure is significant, and now he's in secondary he needs a smartphone as all assignments, schedules, etc. are delivered through the school app.

His is as locked down as I can make it, but there's still far too much that we can't control. He's good with it, and knows we check his messages/activity, but some of his peers clearly have access to media unsuitable for their age and that's scary.