In the Bag

Posted on January 20, 2011, in Momorandums, with 0 Comments

After a fairly long hiatus from baby showers, we recently attended one that was, as it turned out, a serious POWER shower – filled with accomplished women celebrating a celebrated friend who is becoming a mother for the first time, in her forties. Amidst the Everest-size mountain of gifts was one especially elegant package, which when unwrapped revealed a highly covetable silver bowling bag… that happened to be a diaper bag. As such, it elicited more “oohs” than almost anything… because fundamentally, sophisticated women do not want to abdicate that characteristic, in exchange for the joy of motherhood.

That bag happened to be a rare find from the UK, but it inspired the self-invented challenge of finding the ultimate non-diaper bag diaper bags (i.e. the kind you might carry long after the Pampers are gone, perhaps as a laptop bag instead). Here is what we found:

The 3 Diaper Bags We Would Carry, Without Diapers

This Nest Mercer patent and suede bag is the kind we would carry as a work tote; only the baby-friendly zip-out lining, compartments and changing pad would give away it’s intended function. The extra-long detachable strap is well-suited to stroller slinging. We love the gold hardware accents and Tiffany-blue liners.

Available for $386 at endless.com

Mia Bossi couture diaper bags debuted a few years ago with the very insight we observed above of having “function meet fabulous to allow urban mommies to keep their savvy style without losing any practicality.” Our favorite is their signature Caryn Tangerine bag, made with their signature dotted waxed canvas and finished with gold brushed hardware. Extras include a machine washable faux fur changing pad (of course), two exterior and two interior bottle holders, a baby wipe holder and tons of pockets.

Available for $480 at miabossi.com

Perfect for spring, this leatherette Studded Tote diaper bag in a sunny yellow made us smile. The faux leather finish is wipeable, and deep external and internal pockets are elasticized. Like our other picks, this bag’s fun, fashionable styling belies its diaper bag functionality, including a water-resistant nylon lining and accessories like a padded microfiber changing mat and insulated bottle holder. Antique brass hardware adds to its appeal.