I have been left traumatised from my school days , when everyone else were decked out in expensive trainers for P E - and little Bazile was left to suffer the ignominy of having to wear cheap nasty black pumps
Instead of banning pencil cases because one may trendier than another...why don't they have lessons on how to be respectful of each other. That's the problem...NOT designer gear.
I too agree with Pasta and parents here have a huge role to play - not only to teach children how to behave to others but how to ignore snide remarks if they come their way.
When I was teaching the first years used to go swimming on Friday mornings. They had to bring a carrier bag to carry their wet costumes and towels home. One boy forgot his carrier. His teacher kindly offered him one of hers. On seeing that it was a Netto bag he refused to go swimming rather than be seen with such a bag.