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The Diaper Bag

I’ve received a lot of questions about diaper bags, and what I’ve been using. I finally got the chance to take some pictures of my most frequently used bags for baby – and, since he’s now three months old, I feel like enough time has passed that I have some experience about what truly works for me as a baby/diaper bag.

The first thing to note here is that I did not buy a dedicated, actual “diaper” bag. I actually think these are really cool, and have bought a few as shower gifts (usually the Skip Hop Duo), but I’ve spent such a scary amount on my bags that I think it’d be truly wasteful not to try to incorporate some of my existing ones into the baby rotation. Below are the ones that I’ve been using most, since Baby Feather came on the scene!

PS – I’m wearing the Everlane Street Shoes here, in gray. If you’re new to the brand, you can also use my referral if you’d like.

Diaper Bags

First up – The Hermes Garden Party.

Diaper Bag Garden Party On

I love the Garden Party style from Hermes. The all leather versions are great work and casual totes, but I have a soft spot for the canvas and leather combinations. They’re just so light and easy!

Mine has definitely been a go to – it holds a ton, and can be hand held or go on the shoulder. The one drawback is that it’s just an open tote – no pockets, or anything else. But most of my baby stuff is in two pouches, which I easily throw into whatever bag I’m using for the day. The most important pouch? My Skip Hop mini changer – it holds diapers, wipes, an extra onesie and a bib. Basically everything I need for a quick trip out with baby. Here, you can see how much space it takes up in my bag.

Garden Party Skip Hop

Second is my most frequently used diaper bag/tote currently – the Daily Battle, by Faure le Page.

Diaper Bag Daily Battle On

I first discovered Faure le Page a few years ago while walking doing some shopping nearby (it’s quite close to Goyard, Chanel, Hermes…you get the drift!). It had the most cool window display (there was a knight outfit!) and I had to go inside. I loved the classic “house” print that was used on many of the accessories and bags, and bought a few accessories. Last year, I added the Daily Battle above, in Medium, after I found out I was pregnant. It was just an excuse really to pick up a tote, but it’s been so useful ever since! I love my Daily Battle – the strap is adjustable, and the inside fits my diaper pouches easily, along with all the other essentials I need. I’ve never found it to be lacking space, and the tote is super light.

Faure le Page currently doesn’t have an online presence or a boutique in the USA, but you can order by contacting them through their email: boutique@faurelepage.com

The final tote that I use, is one that likely needs no introduction – the Longchamp Le Pliage.

Diaper Bag Le Pliage On

The Le Pliage is such a useful bag, and yes – I’ve also been using it as a diaper bag too! I love that it has a zip top and the fact that it’s super soft and flexible. That means that I can easily stuff it underneath the stroller when I need to, or toss it into the trunk without items falling out.

Those three just about cover the major diaper totes in my arsenal. There is, however, one other bag that I’ve considered indispensable in the past few months – this little Balenciaga Hip crossbody.

Balenciaga Hip on

I love this little bag, and it perfectly stores my essentials – a wallet, sunglass pouch, iPhone, keys, and a lipstick. The leather is quite flexible too, and I can easily fit it into any of the three totes I mentioned earlier. I usually wear it on my body, but I can also tuck it into my bigger bag as well. Having it allows me to keep my essentials on me and easy to reach, and also makes it easy for me to transport them from tote to tote.

Balenciaga Hip

I’d highly recommend this little Balenciaga Hip to anyone looking for a small crossbody bag for the essentials – including new mamas!

I hope this post was informative to some of you out there looking for diaper bag options, and for those just plain interested in great totes and mini crossbody options (I know there’s been a few questions about Faure le Page, for example!). Please also share what you used for a diaper bag – I’d love to know!

33 Comments

  • Reply
    tata
    November 9, 2015 at 9:13 am

    i’ve been waiting for this post!!! i love your bag selections. but more than anything. i love your shoes! i was contemplating ordering the same one but now i’m convinced that i need one!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      November 9, 2015 at 9:35 pm

      I think you’ll really like them. BTW, I ordered my regular size, I didn’t go up as Everlane advised, and I was fine.

  • Reply
    Jane
    November 9, 2015 at 9:47 am

    My diaper bag days are long gone, but I admit that I still use a Skip/Hop tote when I travel with my children because of all the compartments! It fits everything in separate spaces, including a couple of shawls for chilly kidlets, and helps me feel very organized on a plane. I also always love the LL Bean boat and totes with a zip top or without and remember using them as diaper totes, beach bags, pre-school bags etc.

    This is such a beautiful time in your life, and I wish you all the best! Cherish it because these days fly by faster than you could imagine!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      November 9, 2015 at 9:39 pm

      Thanks Jane! And great tip on the LL Bean totes – I love mine too!

  • Reply
    Robin
    November 9, 2015 at 10:23 am

    I have two skip hop bags I got from my shower, which are good for longer trips- like to grandma’s.

    For everyday use I bought an MZWallace bag over the summer. Style is Willow I think. Fits all of my stuff and the skiphop mini changer you mentioned. I can also tighten the crossbody strap and hang it from the stroller easily.

    Great post… I am a 2 months behind you and love reading these!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      November 9, 2015 at 9:42 pm

      MZ Wallace makes lovely bags, thanks for sharing your experience with them.

  • Reply
    Vanessa
    November 9, 2015 at 10:42 am

    Hi Katherine,

    Where’s your red wallet from?

    • Reply
      sanita
      November 9, 2015 at 10:58 am

      Im 100% certain its HERMES

  • Reply
    Philip
    November 9, 2015 at 11:34 am

    That pouch with glasses is so cute! I need to ask where you got it 🙂

    • Reply
      Katherine
      November 9, 2015 at 9:42 pm

      I bought it in Japan at some random shop…so sorry I can’t be more helpful!

  • Reply
    Trang
    November 9, 2015 at 1:26 pm

    Twinses on the denim garden party. Don’t you just love how light it is? One thing, is yours a 36mm or a larger size? If it’s the 36, then you must be extra extra tiny! Also, we love Lesportsac’s Ryan bag for full day outings and a smaller crossbody version that was sold only in Hawaii.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      November 9, 2015 at 9:43 pm

      It is the 36 🙂 I love Lesportsac as well.

  • Reply
    Iris
    November 9, 2015 at 6:11 pm

    Love this post! love the everlane sneakers!!!!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      November 9, 2015 at 9:43 pm

      Thanks, I love them too!

  • Reply
    riquita
    November 9, 2015 at 7:02 pm

    Congratulations on Baby Feather’s 3 month birthday! Someone on the Purseforum inquired about the Faure le page Daily Battle as a diaper bag. I referenced this blog post, Katherine. I hope that’s ok.
    Also, can you please do a review on your Hermes silk’in wallet? Thanks!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      November 9, 2015 at 9:43 pm

      Thank you! And of course you can link….I adore the wallet, will try to do a review of some of my wallets soon.

  • Reply
    Falnangel
    November 9, 2015 at 9:18 pm

    Great post, as usual! I wish I had thought about incorporating my existing bags as diaper bags when I had my son. I bought a designer diaper bag. I did use it but it’s no more useful than some of my existing totes, but I learned that after the fact. Glad you figure that out early and in style. 🙂 My son is 2 now, so I just use a Lululemon backpack since he often requires hands-free chasing sessions. The Lululemon workout backpacks are perfect due to multiple pockets and a waterproof pouch intended for sweaty gym clothes which I use for soiled baby clothes.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      November 9, 2015 at 9:43 pm

      Thank you for sharing your experience…I’ve admired those Lulu backpacks in the past and may have to cave 🙂

  • Reply
    Shirlyn
    November 9, 2015 at 9:37 pm

    Great totes that can function as diaper bags! I currently use an Agnes B big canvas tote that I had neglected for quite a while before I had my baby, and it is having so many uses. It is unisex, so my husband can help carry the bag too. I have the Le Pliage bag in black canvas and leather as a work bag, but it totally can function as a diaper bag too.

    Thanks for introducing Faure Le Page – it has a gorgeous print like goyard!

    https://sartorialisttoujours.wordpress.com/

  • Reply
    Mercy
    November 9, 2015 at 10:25 pm

    Thank you for this great blog, finally someone has posted something about nappy bags. I will be travelling overseas soon with my baby and I want a hip bag to put his stuff. Do you think Burberry nova check tote is good enough? I have one but couldn’t find time to use it and I think this article has helped me figure out 🙂 Also, I’ve been seeing Faure Le Page bags everywhere but didn’t know the name, so thank you for spilling the beans for me :). Ciao!

    http://www.busyandfab.com

    • Reply
      Katherine
      November 11, 2015 at 7:00 pm

      I think any tote is good enough really especially for a diaper bag…get what makes you feel good 🙂

  • Reply
    Mila
    November 10, 2015 at 7:44 am

    Hi Katherine! Thank you for the post. It was very useful 🙂
    Are you wearing the gap dress? I notice its pretty loose on you. are you wearing xs or s?
    thank you

    • Reply
      Katherine
      November 11, 2015 at 7:04 pm

      Yes! I’m wearing XS, not petite just regular.

  • Reply
    Sukhi
    November 10, 2015 at 8:12 am

    Thanks for this post and thanks to riquita for the referral from Purse Forum!

    I’m pretty set on getting the Daily Battle as a diaper bag (this is baby #3 and you would think I would have it down by now). But since third time is the charm, I’ve decided on a bag that is multi-functional which I can later use for work/errands, etc… I”m debating between the medium and large for the Daily Battle but hard to decide without being able to see them in person! Did you try out the large?

    Besides the skip hop diaper changer (which has been a lifesaver), what other inserts have you found useful?

    P.S. Thanks for the link to the shoes!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      November 11, 2015 at 8:52 pm

      I only have the Skip Hop insert and haven’t tried others, unfortunately. I never tried out the large but the Medium seems plenty big to me…but if you love big bags I might give the large a try?

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    November 12, 2015 at 2:13 pm

    https://www.patemm.com/ You should check out the pantemm changing pad. It’s great for when baby gets bigger and you want that extra cover on surfaces. Has some ability to tuck things into pockets.

    Love your blog!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      November 13, 2015 at 6:30 am

      Thanks for the recommendation, looks awesome!

  • Reply
    TheFashionableTeacher
    November 12, 2015 at 3:08 pm

    With both of my kids, I just used a regular diaper bag as I don’t like totes. I liked the built-in organization of a dedicated diaper bag. For my oldest, I used two-a black one for my husband from Target and a plastic Winnie-the-Pooh one. I liked the plastic one because you could just wipe it down. I also had something similar to your Skip Hop changer. For the second kid I used a hard shell Baby Bjorn bag. Best. Diaper. Bag. Ever. I don’t even know if they still make it because my youngest is 11. I liked it because it was built to be opened with one hand.
    Like you, I carried a separate purse for myself. I could never do the whole diaper bag/handbag combo.
    Did you ever look at the Prada diaper bag? I heard it was nice.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      November 13, 2015 at 6:31 am

      I love the Winnie the Pooh description! One of my favorites 🙂 I didn’t look at the Prada but I love Prada nylon and I’m sure its very nice!

  • Reply
    sherry @ save. spend. splurge.
    November 15, 2015 at 10:34 am

    The Longchamp Pliage, hands down.

  • Reply
    Revanche
    November 17, 2015 at 2:24 pm

    We bought the Skip Hop for PiC to carry and I caught myself nosing around for a new, bigger tote, but I realized I was just looking for an excuse and refrained. We used the Skip Hop a ton in the first 5 months and have now relaxed enough to just use the smaller insulated bag from the Skip Hop and a “quick pack” of diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes when we go out on day trips or errands. I’m still keeping an eye out for a good sale on the Longchamp Pliage, though I love the look of your Daily Battle. A darn shame they don’t have an online presence yet, I don’t like to buy sight unseen.

  • Reply
    A. Shiling
    March 13, 2016 at 9:35 pm

    Hello,

    Would it be to much bother if I can please get the dimension of your ” Faure Le Page”, Daily Battle Tote in Medium….???

    I am looking to purchase one from Paris via email, which is quite difficult for me as I like to see them in person. If measuring would be too much trouble, which as a mom of five I get busy! I have several Long Champs (who doesn’t ), I have large and medium size. As well as the Goyard GM (which is large but fits so much). I just don’t want to look like I’m about to board a plane. Which would you say is closest in size to your med FLP????

    Thank you so very much this’ll help me decide.
    Love your hip yet very classical style . Again Ty and Cheers! Mon Cheri 777

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