Like I wrote yesterday, diaper bags are akin to bridesmaid dresses:
You can go for one that won’t break the bank. It may be cute and look great in photos; however, it will not be a dress you’d love to wear again. Or, you can go for broke. You’ll feel more elegant and actually get compliments on what a great bridesmaid dress you are wearing; but, it will be called what it is: A bridesmaid dress. There’s just no hiding it and, after the champagne and dancing, you’ll tuck it away in the back of your closet to collect dust like an old AYSO trophy.
It’s all the worse for a diaper bag because its purpose is much less glamorous than ushering the bride down the aisle. Instead, you’ll probably spill the baby’s milk in it, throw in clothes the kid barfed all over (or worse), and tuck in a dirty diaper if you are stuck in a tough spot with no trash can nearby. Yet, isn’t that all the more reason to have a glamorous-looking bag? One that you’ll love to use over and over again? Yes, I say, most definitely yes!
After much obsessing and research, these are my reviews of cute styles:
PPB’s are super popular and have several clever patterns to choose from, however, most are backpacks. Having just finished grad school, I don’t want to wear a backpack. Practical, yes. The are even rather cute. I just don’t waaaaannnaaaa!
PPB does have other styles of which my favorite is the Touring Tote ($145). It feels like it could withstand being thrown into the ocean and, who knows, that might just happen since we live right along the coast. Plus, isn’t this pattern cute? It’s called “Siesta in Sevilla,” which I love because anyone who has been to Sevilla knows they will never ever give up their siesta no matter how the world around them changes!
The Deal on Petunia Pickle Bottom:
Sing up at www.zulily.com today to get your PPB for about a 40% discount! If you invite friends, you get another $15 off on your purchase. (Thanks, Gillian, for the heads up on this deal!).
I thought I had found the bag when I came across the timi and leslie collections. Their canvas collection is very similar to PPB, but they also have several styles in their convertible collection that are tres chic. Then I saw them at the mall and realized that they are absolutely HUGE! Geez, are we packing for an outing or Armageddon?
The Charlie measures 14.75″H x 17″x4.74″D and 8.5 handle drop. ($150)
The Hannah is also very large and measures 14″H x 16″W x 6″D and 11″ handle drop. ($155). It’s pretty cute with all those rings and doesn’t feel as big as the Charlie, but I wonder how big it will feel after you stuff it full of baby gear.
I would honestly purchase either one if they were about 2 -3 inches smaller all the way around.
Skip Hop
My sister swears by these. No, she doesn’t have any kids; however, she nannied all through college and still does some babysitting on the side because she looooves babies. No, you can’t have her number! She’s all mine post 01-2012! Anyway, she’s tried out everyone’s gear and votes for a Skip Hop.
I like the Versa ($70). It looks more “diaper baggy” in person, but the price is pretty.
I also like the Studio ($90).
Gorgeous and elegant, behold the Maria Chocolate in “buttery” Italian Leather. For $600 you, too, can know what it feels like to carry around milk you’ve pumped out of your boobs a la cow and crap-filled diapers in the ultimate style. It’s enough to forget you have to wear leak pads in your bra and give validation to that 4th degree tear or C-section. Wait! Whaaaat! Your child is supposed to be your validation. Oh, yeah! Go splash your face with ice water and get a hold of yourself woman!
Still….
I mean, really! You could get the same style of bag in a totally hip pattern and color. For example, the Maria Tangerine is one of their waxed canvas bags with Italian Ruat Leather and a mere $400. Phew!
The Deal on Mia Bossi: 20% off September sale on all bags!
If this messenger bag doesn’t say, “I’m an adorable mom with an even more adorable baby,” I don’t know what does! It’s the “I just embrace this whole mommy thing” kind of bag that’s cute, useful, and only $116. I dare you to try to tell me you don’t kind of want one.
Um, have I mentioned my obsession with all things patent leather? Why, yes, I have! So, of course my current crush is this bag from Coach.
I just can’t stop looking at the Alex Stitched Patent Leather Baby Bag. It’s on the smaller side of diaper bags and looks the most like a purse. I haven’t seen it yet in person, so I hope it’s not like that online date I went on where the guy ended up being 2 inches shorter than me. I’m 5’3″, so ’twas very disappointing. He also had some mommy issues, but that’s a story for another time. Anyway, my point is that you don’t know what it’s like until you “meet” it in person. Unfortunately, they aren’t exactly in high demand – shocker! So, I’ll have to see if they can order in one to the store just to look check out.
Oh, the price? Uh, yeah, about that. It’s no more than what I paid for my most expensive bridesmaid dress this past summer and that’s all I’m going to say about that! If I end up getting it, I’ll take a photo with one of the brides getting married down at the La Jolla Cove and call it as valid as the silk dress chilling out in the back of my closet. She is probably lonely and would like a used diaper bag to keep her company. I may even wear her again just because she matches this diaper bag so well. See, it’s a win-win!
Claire - Petunia Pickle Bottoms are my favorite diaper bags. And I own more of them than I would like to admit… I think Paul has just accepted it as one of those things that he will never understand but will just have to live with!
danielle - you should check out MZ wallace. I like those the best.
Aimee - Wow, those are gorgeous!
Aimee - There are plenty of things I don’t understand about Paul, so I think you’re just evening it out ;) (He needs to use smaller words for one! haha!)
Hilary Miniad - Aimee,
The Coach bag could also be used as a purse! How genius! A diaper bag that is also a purse! Nobody will be able to tell the difference! Just buy a matching coach wallet and your set! One diaper bag and one nice purse! Can’t tell you how many times I forgot my diaper bag at home but never forgot my purse!! Love the Coach bag!!
Love, Hil
Cari - I always wanted one of these…but a bit out of my price range.
http://www.1154lill.com/Gift+Ideas/Gifts+for+New+Moms/SUSAN-+Summer+Nights.axd?cid=534&page_no=2
My vote? Go for the most practical. :o) When you just HAVE to have that Starbucks and there is no drive through for miles and no Seth available for delivery service you’ll want something you can fling over your shoulder (and have it stay put) while you tote baby over one hip. Leave diaper bag in car you might say? What if the line is a few people longer than planned and baby starts fussing (not that your princess would do that to you pre-coffee…but ya know) reach into that securely attached diaper bag and whip out…toy, binkie, cheerio. Wew! Quiet for a minute. Then you hear the sound you are all too familiar with, yikes!…reach into that bag and pull out a burp cloth just in time to catch Baby’s spit up before it hits the floor. Saved again. Remember baby is on hip in one arm. You are fumbling to pay for that much much needed coffee with the other. :o) Can that really happen in a 5 minute time span? Yes Ma’am it can! Mommyhood is the best thing ever! And I love reading your blog. So I can’t wait for all the baby ones to come! :o)
Aimee - Oh those are cute, Cari! So wait, the baby spits up BEFORE my morning coffee? No one told me this would happen! What! ;) Also, I think women need a third arm for the first year of babyhood!
Alex - All this angst over a diaper bag. What will you do when you have to break down and get that uber practical mommymobile . . . the dreaded minivan! Yikes!
Aimee - Never! Lippert says she loves her minivan. I can see why, but I wont’ give in yet!