Find my perfect bag, version 478... the diaper bag edition

March 25, 2013 3:47 PM

For the last 2.5 years I have been daily using and abusing the same amazing black nylon messenger-style diaper bag, and it's finally beginning to tear and fray apart. I want to find something simple, stylish, and utilitarian to replace it. Difficulty: cheap-ish.

The original one was $50 at Babies'R'Us, but all the ones they have now are either cheaper fabric, cutesy/impractical, or - if the quality is decent - they are huge and elaborate and look like they'd be more appropriate for a camping trip then schlepping around a city. It doesn't have to be branded as a diaper bag, but it does have to fit diapers and other necessities for toting around a two-year-old and a six-month-old baby.



What I am looking for is:

- Chic, minimalist styling. Will be carried by a 30-year-old SAHM who usually wears jeans, simple dresses, and a lot of neutral colors. This means no baby prints or flowers or animals or bright colors or paisley, but I also don't want something that looks like a camping bag, as stated above. A simple, classy nylon bag in black or dark gray with silver hardware would be ideal... I like this but it only comes in hot pink.

- A thicker strap that goes over the shoulder and won't break easily. Cross-body is nice, but not required... what I hate is bags with teeny handles that you have to hold in your actual hand. I have a baby and a toddler... I have no free hands dammit.

- Washable (or wipe-able). Self-explanatory.

- The more pockets and organization the better. A big pocket for diapers; little pockets for phones, kindle, snacks and whatnot.

- Not a backpack.

- Cheap?! Under $100, but the cheaper the better. I could conceivably go up for something absolutely amazing, but I don't intend to have more children ...so this isn't a really-really-long-term-investment piece. If it lasts me for a year or so of daily usage I will be thrilled, especially if it looks cool enough to carry as a normal bag when I don't have kids with me.


Really, I'm pretty flexible on everything except durability and looking decent. If you have a bag that you love, that hold up and looks cool and doesn't break the bank, please let me know what it is! Again it doesn't have to be a diaper bag, messenger bags or purses in a washable fabric are ok too.

Thanks!

posted by celtalitha to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (12 answers total)

You might enjoy bags from DiaperDude.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 3:51 PM on March 25, 2013 [1 favorite]

You could look at the Lug bags.
posted by DMelanogaster at 3:57 PM on March 25, 2013

This Derek Alexander thing?
posted by Iris Gambol at 3:59 PM on March 25, 2013

I have a DiaperDude bag (mine has Yellow Submarine graphics on it, which makes me very happy). I actually use it as a camera bag, and I drag it around with me everywhere. They have a bunch of styles, I have a messenger bag, it has enough little pockets for me, for pens, lenses, camera accesories, my ipad and regular purse stuff. I've had it a year and it still looks new. My travel coffee cup busted open inside it, my camera was safe in a different pocket, it only got my wallet and stuff wet, but the bag cleaned up fine. I haven't had a kid in diapers for almost 9 years, but I love this bag, it doesn't look like a diaper bag at all (this is my bag, although I paid less for it).
posted by upatree at 4:26 PM on March 25, 2013

Have a look at these Skip Hop bags.
posted by ghost dance beat at 5:04 PM on March 25, 2013

Agree on Lug bags.
posted by atomicstone at 5:34 PM on March 25, 2013

I have a good-sized bag from Tippythai that has hauled a punishing weight with no seeming strain to the construction. Not a lot of pockets, so I put one of those purse organizers in it that you can buy for cheap on eBay. I guess I don't know about long-term durability (only had it about 6 months), but so far so good.
posted by lakeroon at 6:50 PM on March 25, 2013

I carry this bag from LL Bean (in black) to work every day and I think it would work well for what you want. The quality is great.
posted by coolsara at 6:51 PM on March 25, 2013

I like a purse organizer inserted into whatever bag suits your fancy. Mine was a Trader Joe's bag for a while. Learned this trick as my diaper dude bag fell apart.
posted by cestmoi15 at 6:51 PM on March 25, 2013

We use an Eddie Bauer diaper bag, and it's held up phenomenally well for over 4 years. I think it was about $40 or so. I did a quick Google search and there is a variety of colors/styles to choose from. Ours is a nice, chocolate brown color, with lots of insulated pockets inside, and several zippered pockets as well. We love it.
posted by Happydaz at 8:47 PM on March 25, 2013

I've owned this SkipHop model for 2.5 years and it meets all your criteria:
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3088213

Lots of pockets, reasonable size, wipes down well, adjustable long strap (and also stroller clips!), and it is really well constructed. i actually even just put it through the washing machine (on delicate) for the first time since I've owned it and it came out looking good as new!
posted by sanitycheck at 9:31 PM on March 25, 2013

My diaper bag is a Bail Out Bag from County Comm. It's manufactured for police and military use, but I found it made an excellent diaper bag. I have it in black. It has a ton of pockets, though they are mostly on the outside. The "ammo clip" pockets are the perfect size for a sippy cup, or a bottle if you're bottle feeding.
posted by KathrynT at 2:50 PM on March 26, 2013