Getting good grades might be the ultimate goal for students but sustaining a certain degree of sartorial cool is a key back-to-school issue with one key dilemma - getting the backpack squared away.
The choice of this outfit-anchoring piece becomes momentous for students of all ages after the summer holidays.
Backpacks featuring a range of cartoon characters - from Peppa Pig to Frozen's Princess Anna and SpongeBob - have been decorating shop windows for weeks now as a choice becomes an urgent matter with the start of the school year in mid-September.
The average price for a backpack in Italy is around 60 to 70 euros.
The most expensive, like a prized Ferrari model, can retail for 100.
Models range according to age with the most functional doubling up as trolley bags to spare the back of young students who often have to carry full loads of books for their daily homework.
Overall, most models targeted for elementary school children are expandable to fit in as much school material as possible.
Decorations see classic cartoon and television heroes and heroines still reigning supreme this year across backpacks designed for a younger public.
For girls, Frozen's Princess Anna and Elsa are continuing to be best-sellers, along with Peppa Pig, Sophie the Princess, Barbie, Minnie, the Aristocrats, Trudy, Rapunzel, Rachel Hale, Tinkerbell, Violetta.
Hello Kitty and the seven fairies from the Winx Club also top the wish list of primary school girls.
For boys, the Minions - small, yellow cylindrical creatures from the third installment in the Despicable Me franchise - are very much in fashion, beating classics like Super Mario and SpongeBob.
Super heroes, however, retain a strong attraction, especially for first and second graders.
Best-sellers include Iron Man, Superman, Batman and the Ninja Turtles.
As boys get older, the appeal of soccer gains momentum with backpacks inspired by the team of choice - from Juve to Milan, Inter, Roma and Lazio.
Middle school girls are more attracted to brands with it-labels including Eastpack, Dimensione Danza and Freddy.
Their male peers opt for labels like Seven and Invicta or a backpack inspired by cars and motorcycles - including Fiat, Ducati and Ferrari.
Brand new Frecce Tricolori models paying homage to the Italian air force are also a hit this year.
Teenagers in high school tend to opt for unisex, plain versions to be filled with their thoughts and slogans written with art markers.
Backpacks by Eastpack, Adidas, Denny Rose, Fiat, Lambretta and Vespa are currently very on-trend.
And inside the backpack of choice, the school diary where students take note of homework and thoughts still sees a predominance of the 38-year-old Smemoranda.
This academic year, the 500-page diary includes the 'likes' and comments of over 100 contributors with an opening quote by comedian duo Gino & Michele for students starting the school year on the power of imagination over reality.
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