Girls, I seriously need help finding a diaper bag. I so don't want to be a frumpy mom with a nylon bag. I've searched hi and low and I can't find any that are even remotely stylish. Even the ones on the NM & saks websites aren't my style.
I'm thinking about getting the MJ Venetia or something similar (and cooler? - i.e. Tod's, Jimmy Choo?) to use but my question is
a) is this bag even still "cool" or is there a better alternative out there, and
b) would it even work as a diaper bag? I have no idea!
Thanks in advance for ANY suggestions you might have!
I think it would probably be a little small. I can barely fit all my normal everyday crap in mine and I feel like I don't carry ALL that much- a checkbook wallet, umbrella, hard sunglass case, keys, and sometimes I'll throw a sandwuch and yogurt in it on the way to work. probably wouln't fit too many diapers.
Are you a mom yet? Do you have previous diaper bag experience? (who'da thought I would ever as that question?)
Just thinking about what I hear from mom's all the time about worrying more about practicality then being cute or whatever. I would imagine a diaper bag has certain features that mom's consider important because they create convience. Thats why I asked if you have diaper bag experience because then you would know what you need.
I have this bag for a gym bag. They sell it at baby boutiques and I think it's fashionable, but it's plastic.
I would so get this bag for a diaper bag. Look at the inside pictures and you'll see tons of pockets/compartments. It's nylon, but it has leather accents and it's soooo beautiful. And by lovely Kate Spade.
okay, you're not going to be a "frumpy mom" just because you have a nylon bag! i know, i hate nylon too, but i broke down and got one. why? because you can wipe them up easily and they are lightweight. you are going to be cramming this thing full of heavy, sometimes leaky bottles, snacks, toys, books in addition to diapers, wipes, rash cream etc. and an MJ is heavy enough empty... and with baby on the other arm it's quite a load. and these items are going to SPILL all over the bag inside and out. you will trash the diaper bag and if the diaper bag is not made of nylon or other wipeable material it's going to be ruined very quickly.
this is the nylon semi-stylish diaper bag i have from babystyle.com. i carry it ONLY when necessary... i leave it in the car a LOT and carry my regular bag with the bare baby/kid necessities that i will need until i can get back to the car/location that holds diaper bag quite often. i guess what i'm saying is this, you don't have to give up your kick-ass real bag for a diaper bag... you can have both. i just don't recommend using them one and the same.
good luck on your search. babystyle.com has some other cute ones. i also saw a couple of gymbags on girlshop that i thought could be used as diaper bags as well.
hm, I don't think I would use an expensive designer purse as a diaper bag. it just seems... I don't know, like sacrilegous or something. I really like the striped one that Drew posted. Here's some more cute ones from ebags:
also, try some of the weekend or carry-on bags on eBags. they always has discount codes too. just do a search for them.
Le Redoute has some cute weekend and tote bags you can use too:
i have had the kate spade medium shopper tote for six year (some high school and college) and it looks great. it's easy to wipe off, etc... i bought a herve chapelier bag for when i would go to the shore, and that also works great because you can wash it. if you want something more designer, maybe the gucci horsebit tote.
__________________
"i tell you one lesson I learned
If you want to be something in life, You ain't gonna get it unless, You give a little bit of sacrifice, Oohh, sometimes before you smile you got to cry.." -The Roots
Thansk, girls. Okay, maybe I'll give up on the MJ idea. Hotcocoa--your idea makes a lot of sens and you all have convinced me that I should try to find a stylish and pratical diaper bag. I am going to do what you suggested and still take my regular handbag with me, leaving the diap. bag in the car, etc. I was totally thinking that I would have to give up my stylish handbags. Also, I could go with yours with this idea, thanks for posting. How do you like the practicality of it?
Drew--I'm not a huge KS fan, but I kind of like the black ad pink one you posted, thanks.
Bean--thanks for posting the ebags, those are cute.
karina--why do you not like that type of bag and what do you prefer?
Monica--I have seen and kind of like the second, non-logo Coach bag you posted, thanks!
When you are lugging around a stroller or holding your baby, it's very difficult to do it with a heavy shoulder bag. Trust me - a cute messenger bag or backpack is the way to go!
Buzz by Jane Fox has bags that are meant to be diaper bags that are really cute. Not sure if there are any on the website right now but when I was searching for another Jane Fox bag on ebay a while ago, they had diaper bags. HTH
__________________
Bad taste is like a nice dash of paprika. We all could use more of it. It's no taste I'm against. -Diana Vreeland
Have you considered a Longchamp bag? You can design your own with the size, handle length, colors and even have your initials. If I had a baby I would get one of these and a matching Lexus SUV to tote him around in. That's beyond the point...
Wow--thanks for the additional opinions. You guys have given me some great ideas. I love the Longchamp idea and Dot, those Jack Gomme bags are awesome! Thank you so much for suggesting them! I will also check out jane fox and le sport sac. When I narrow it down, I'll post again for opinions. I'm so glad there's hope!
ETA--If anyone has any other ideas, please keep 'em coming!
You need it to be big and soft, not boxy like the ones at babies r us, for squeezing by people or objects with baby in tote, and one with too many compartments is useless for me because I end up tossing everything in the same place anyway while distracted getting baby ready. I carry a small purse, which I just toss in on top of everything in my bag, rather than have my diaper bag double as a purse.
Mine is a striped canvas shoulder bag with thin straps, so it's easy enough to carry while also carrying the baby. It does not fall off my shoulder, which is a concern with traditional diaper bags. But when walking I usually put my bag underneath the stroller, because it does get heavy if I have packed for a long day. If you are going to be toting bottles or packages of wipes, that adds weight too.
Karina is right, a backpack or messenger is probably better, but I would also say that you might want to have two different kinds of bags, one for little trips to run errands, one for big all day trips to grandma's house. Some girls who already carry big purses can just throw in a handful of diapers when going out because they already keep extra wipes and a clean outfit in their car.
oh yeah, and when I was pregnant I didn't think any diaper bags were my style either. don't limit yourself to bags you considered stylish only for childless people because you will think differently when you are packing up all the things you need for a day out with baby.
-- Edited by lorelei at 09:20, 2005-03-24
__________________
"Go either very cheap or very expensive. It's the middle ground that is fashion nowhere." ~ Karl Lagerfeld