Another one with the Vera Bradley bag. A black and white style. I hadn't even started thinking about diaper bags when I received it as a Mother's Day gift from my parents. My sister-in-law loved hers. I also registered for a neutral messenger style bag for DH. He wasn't a fan of the Vera print, but he has no issues holding my purse for me occasionally, so I think he'll get over it if he has to use the Vera
With DS1 I used a Skip Hop duo in French Stripe for almost the whole first year. I was so sick of carrying the same bag at that point, so now I use this backpack one off Amazon: I will say I love that the backpack is totally hands-free and easier to manage while also carrying a kid. It isn't as easy to sling across the handlebar of some strollers, though.
The one that I have been drooling over for months is the Little Unicorn Rotunda bag, but I just can't justify buying a third (and more expensive) bag yet.
We have this one - I've always liked Timbuk2 bags for their durability and ours has been beaten and holds up great. I also love tons of pockets, plus H doesn't mind wearing it. It's not dressy at all but I've noticed that if I've been getting dressed up then I usually don't have a baby with me, so I just switch to one of my nice bags. I also don't feel the need to get a different/bigger bag now that we'll have 2.
I love my Skip Hop Duo and Skip Hop Crossbody Diaper Clutch (easy for quick outings when you dont need to take a lot with you). I also LOOOOOOOOVE my JuJuBe Be Right Back Backpack. It's probably my fave now that my son is older.
I had a Petunia Picklebottom City Carry All and absolutely hated it. It's just so chunky and big. The Skip Hop Duo is probably the best bang for your buck and you can usually find a print on sale.
Married to DH for 6 years (together for 16) DS born 12.13.14 DD born 10.15.16 BFP 1.24.18, MC 3.13.18 BFP 4.25.19, EDD 12.31.19
I've had that Timi and Leslie Diaper bag for DD, and actually still use it. She's 2.5. It's been very good to me and it's super cute.
But it now I'm thinking about getting a backpack style one this time, because I want as many free hands and arms as possible. I've been eyeing a Fawn Design one. https://fawndesign.com/products/fawn-design-brown-1
I had a basic gracco one that I hated. I ended up with a 21 medium zip up tote that my sister had embroidered for us (at the time I was cloth diapering and toting around allergy-free formula so it needed to be big). After a year or so I downgraded to a toddler sized backpack that at 2, DS loves carrying
This time I'll pull out the 21 tote (we use it still for long or overnights) and keep DS with his backpack. It's all easy to organize with all the pockets and big enough for toys, food, all my stuff etc since I gave up purses.
Also my darling husband proudly toted around a Vera Bradley tote for a while. We never considered getting him a manly bag because I wasn't keeping two bags packed.
We got the Columbia diaper backpack. We figure with two kids we will need the hands. Plus I have neck and shoulder problems that are aggravated by shoulder bags. I like that we can use this well past the diaper stage too. And bonus it was 40% so we got it for $40.
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I got this Kate Spade one (I think the model is Kennedy Park). The regular price is really steep but they go on sale literally all the time. I picked mine up for just under $150. It comes with a changing pad like the Vera one and has tons of pockets. I also wanted something that would double as a purse, and agree that I'd rather pay a little more for something nice that I love!
i also got a Vera, and then learned the ones from the refular stores have a coated liner but the outlets don't. kinda sucks bc I liked another print better but coated liner is clutch.
@mrskratt - I love that Fawn designs bag - I just can't imagine it would fit everything! Do you have a changing pad that packs down small enough? And do you know if their bags are on backorder long?
As a soon to be 2U2 mom- I'm just getting a backpack with as many compartments as I can find. The one I have now already carries LOs, my stuff, DD and DS's tag-along stuff, and it would work out better on my back. At this point, I'm at "Screw aesthetics. Give me functionality."
I'm going with a backpack style. I had a traditional style bag with DD and hated it. Sometimes you need 2 hands and the over the shoulder bags would slide down, swing around and otherwise be a PITA.
I'm currently carrying a Kavu rope bag. When my son was a baby, I had a used Carter's bag and a Thirty One bag. Y'all are making me feel like I need to get my shit together with these fancy bags.
I have a 31 bag that I've been using since my second was a baby.. it must be discontinued because I tried to look in the catalog and can't find it.. buuut, it's spacious, cute, and does the job.
I replaced my JJ Cole bag with this skip hop bag and I've been completely satisfied. My husband doesn't like carrying a diaper bag but he still uses it.
This is the one we registered for. I thought about using a 31 bag, but I wanted something I could close the top on. I hate when I bend over and stuff falls out of my bag.
Sorry I can't tell how big that picture will be since I'm on my phone, but this is the Kate Spade baby bag I got this time around. To be honest, I don't love the Dalmatians at the bottom but I got an INSANELY good deal on the bag (website sale someone else mentioned). So I'll live with the dogs (it does remind me of 101 Dalmatians).
But I will second what others have said about backpacks: when we go on vacation or on a day trip (Disney, zoo, beach, etc) I just take the grey Victoria's Secret backpack I have. It has a ton of pockets and it is just way easier.
@mrskratt - I love that Fawn designs bag - I just can't imagine it would fit everything! Do you have a changing pad that packs down small enough? And do you know if their bags are on backorder long?
You know, I'm not sure how long they are on back order for. I just love that design, but was going to poke around to see if there's anything else similar in style! I think other colors are in stock though. I have a changing pad from my Timi and Leslie bag and it folds up exptremely small, so I was just going to use that!
I was gonna go with a 31 bag but I got nervous bc I needed more pockets (or that's what I used to justify the Vera...)
That's a valid point. That's why I stopped using mine. I'm not much of a diaper bag user though. I always end up just putting their stuff in my bag, hence why the Kavu bag is working for me now. But since I'm going to have a lot more to carry soon, I may need to start.
@kelliot09 I have a giant purse and I could probably carry the baby and her stuff in it, but the lack of pockets has me going insane. the good thing w the Vera is it looks like a giant purse. my husband may just use his backpack that he uses as a carry on. the amount of times he will be taking her somewhere besides daycare alone will probably be far less frequent than me, at least at the beginning. (he works late hours at a car dealership)
Here is the link to the Diaper Bag Addicts BST group. Lots of Fawn bags. Also, the Target Oh Joy Diaper Bags are always sold out, but you can find them NWT in this group.
This is the timi & leslie bag I registered for on amazon. It was the only one I found that looked super versatile to me, that I can just use all the time and will go with anything. I would pick it as a regular bag too! I tend to just buy one neutral bag and use it to death for years.
When I went to take this picture, I discovered that someone ordered it off our registry! Yay!!
This is the one I am registered for. Do you think diaper bags are a "you get what you pay for" item? I never thought about spending $150 on a diaper bag, and this one is just $50 but seemed roomy enough to hold the twins things. Should I look for something that hangs better over a stroller handle? Spend more? Oh the things...
@sjo_thetwins being able to hang it or fit in in the stroller has been really helpful for me. They do sell hooks or clips that you can use to hang your diaper bag if you can't fit it on the handlebar or in the storage bin.
@sjo_thetwins My diaper bag with DS was $40 from Babies R Us. It's definitely showing some wear, but he turned 2 in December. I'd say $40 for 2.5 years of every day use is great.
I am ready for a new one, but that has a lot to do with aesthetics... ;-)
Re: Which diaper bag did you choose?
I also registered for a neutral messenger style bag for DH. He wasn't a fan of the Vera print, but he has no issues holding my purse for me occasionally, so I think he'll get over it if he has to use the Vera
BFP: 8/20/2018 - EDD 5/4/2019
LOVING these Kate Spade bags. I have a Skip Hop for DS, but it's wearing out...
And I'm thinking to wait for a Kate spade sale for mine!
I had a Petunia Picklebottom City Carry All and absolutely hated it. It's just so chunky and big. The Skip Hop Duo is probably the best bang for your buck and you can usually find a print on sale.
Married to DH for 6 years (together for 16)
DS born 12.13.14
DD born 10.15.16
BFP 1.24.18, MC 3.13.18
This is my dream diaper bag from Lily Jade
But it now I'm thinking about getting a backpack style one this time, because I want as many free hands and arms as possible. I've been eyeing a Fawn Design one.
https://fawndesign.com/products/fawn-design-brown-1
Fell in love: Dec 2005 // Married: Feb 9, 2013
Little Miss Rosalie Harper--Born Jan 9th, 2014
This time I'll pull out the 21 tote (we use it still for long or overnights) and keep DS with his backpack. It's all easy to organize with all the pockets and big enough for toys, food, all my stuff etc since I gave up purses.
BFP: February 2016 EDD: October 17, 2016
BFP: February 2016 EDD: October 17, 2016
i also got a Vera, and then learned the ones from the refular stores have a coated liner but the outlets don't. kinda sucks bc I liked another print better but coated liner is clutch.
Baby #2: Grayson EDD 10/22/16
But I will second what others have said about backpacks: when we go on vacation or on a day trip (Disney, zoo, beach, etc) I just take the grey Victoria's Secret backpack I have. It has a ton of pockets and it is just way easier.
I have a changing pad from my Timi and Leslie bag and it folds up exptremely small, so I was just going to use that!
Fell in love: Dec 2005 // Married: Feb 9, 2013
Little Miss Rosalie Harper--Born Jan 9th, 2014
Here is the link to the Diaper Bag Addicts BST group. Lots of Fawn bags. Also, the Target Oh Joy Diaper Bags are always sold out, but you can find them NWT in this group.
Me: 28 DH: 27
I offered to get FI a more manly option and he said he didn't mind carrying this one around. Well ok!
This is the timi & leslie bag I registered for on amazon. It was the only one I found that looked super versatile to me, that I can just use all the time and will go with anything. I would pick it as a regular bag too! I tend to just buy one neutral bag and use it to death for years.
When I went to take this picture, I discovered that someone ordered it off our registry! Yay!!
It's a boy!
I am ready for a new one, but that has a lot to do with aesthetics... ;-)