Would you use this diaper bag as a purse? - YouLookFab Forum

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Would you use this diaper bag as a purse?

Raisin

Veteran

So, even though I have a 15 month old, I actually never got myself a baby bag. Reason being that the ones I liked were all huge, like the size of a duffle bag, and I didn't feel like I wanted to lug that around. I have a gym bag and I thought if I really need that size, then I can use that.

So now the bags I liked put out what they call an "after baby bag" this year. It's a lot smaller but still has all the nice compartments. Maybe you Aussie ladies know the brand, it's Il Tutto, and I love the little "evil bear" that is the signature add on.

Now I have to admit, this is probably a case of I didn't really "need" this until I saw it, but I like the purse so much and still have a year or 2 of carrying around diapers, wipes, snacks, etc, that I'm wondering if I could use it as a diaper bag/purse and a purse later. It's a bit expensive, so I want to make sure I use it. It's made of really nice leather. I like the grey color, though it comes in tan and orange to.

So, is it a practical buy or a waste of money at this point? Photo 1 shows the color I would get.

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25 replies

Latest reply was from

Beth

Veteran

It would never cross my mind that this was a baby bag. It'd be really practical no matter the purpose and the color is versatile. Two thumbs up from me:)

unfrumped

Veteran

It does read as a casual satchel, kind of so not sure I'd wear it for high fashion, but this is coming from someone who has no bag sense. But, it does read as diaper-only at all, so would seem good for MOTG just running around with normal purse-stuff--with kids, on errands and such--if you are not the tiny-bag person but carry stuff with you for measuring, matching, waiting in line, water bottle, tablet or all of that type of stuff. I just mean the compartments read more gear-ish but the leather upgrades it for sure.

Anonymous

I like it, I would never have guessed it I be a baby bag. I think you will get lots of use out of it!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Me, too, never would have guessed! I think go for it, unless you have seen any "regular" bags that are functional enough for baby stuff and that you like better.

Sheila

Veteran

It looks very smart. The two zip pockets on the end read "gear bag" to me but I think it is stylish enough to pass for a purse. I know you love the little bear but it does tend toward casual rather than dressy. I was not familiar with the brand, so this is my first impression.

MsMary

Veteran

I like lt and it seems perfect for your needs!

Pawprints

Setting aside the need/cost question, I like the bag and would carry it. Especially if it was bigger. I take a big bag. I nickname either Diaper Bag or The Monster. And I don't have kids.

The only diaper bag sign to me is the bear, but it doesn't negate the this-is-a-purse look. You can always snip the bear off and tuck it inside as your bear buddy if you like. I would do that if it was my bag. The script branding pushes it toward either casual or diaper bag and is the only thing that would give me pause personally, but I wouldn't think anything of it if I saw someone else carry it. I'm not a big bag-watcher though. I don't look around thinking Oh, that's a ___Brand Name unless its in-your-face obvious, in which case I'm glad I'm not carrying it. Though I appreciate a beautiful bag and would be glad to have a more lux one, don't slap LVs all over mine please. I like to carry myself rather than a corporate billboard.

Anyway. I think this is really cute and has a casual but not necessarily gear feel. If it makes you happy and it passes the use/budget test I think it's fine.

Vickie KY

I like it.Vickie

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I like it too. I would take the bear off, but I take all those extraneous hanging things off my bags anyway.

Mochi

Veteran

I agree. Remove the teddy bear, and yes.

rachylou

Veteran

Here's my thing: I think it looks heavy.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Nice casual bag! Just make sure it's big enough to hold all your stuff. My Kate Spade baby bag is fairly big but not enough for three kids' worth of snacks, clothes, diapers/wipes, toys, hats, sunscreen, jackets, etc. I do have a big Jujube Be Prepared but DH complains it's so huge. (More like BeHemoth, lol!) I'm an overpacked, though, maybe you aren't!

K. Period.

Veteran

I like it, but before buying it, I'd ask myself: am I buying this because it fits a need that I had or thought I had or because it is better than anything else I've seen? I'm not sure that gets to the point of my question very well. Hmm.

What I see when I look at this bag is a nice bag that works well for kiddo stuff. There are lots of other bags out there that are roomy enough and have compartments that would work in the same way. This one just happens to be marketed to moms. That doesn't make it more functional than another bag, though. A huge nylon tote and a few gallon size ziplock bags will do all that this will and more.

I bought the mandatory baby bag with my first kiddo (cheapo Lands End one because I'd been warned) and I used it for a few months. I liked it a lot, but it was a diaper bag not a fashion bag that I loved. Then I transitioned to one of my biggest leather tote bags and just carried that around. I got a lot more joy out of using the big bag that I'd bought because I loved it than a baby bag, even though I liked the baby bag just fine. I didn't even break out the baby bag for my second kid. I went straight to my big purses. So, for me, personally, I wouldn't buy this baby bag. I would instead look for a great bag that you love that will accommodate all the kiddo stuff and use this as an opportunity to justify buying it. (But that's me!)

Janet

(website)

Veteran

K makes a great point. I have found that the more compartments a bag has, the more frustrating I find it. For me, it adds weight and complexity. But I have pared down what I carry, I have to be careful of weight on my shoulders, and I don't have kids. YMMV of course. But it's good food for thought to consider what your true needs are for a bag as you move forward. Perhaps a tote is a good solution, and there are some fantastic-looking and lightweight totes out there that accommodate a lot of stuff!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like it. And if you think it will work, I am pretty sure it would be a useful item. It does not read "diaper bag."

I have to share a story with you. At a workshop I attended recently, we listened to "user stories" about women who were trying to buy laptop bags. "Cute" laptop bags, not ugly ones.

Cute laptop bags are scarcer than hen's teeth, so most women opt for a big tote instead.

So one of them fell in love with a Marc Jacobs bag or something, and was almost ready to buy it but then couldn't track it down in the largest size (which she needed). And then, lo and behold, she found a DIAPER bag that would suit her purposes, and managed to get it on sale.

So you see. You are not alone.

I thought it was super-resourceful of her.

Day Vies

Veteran

If it's cute and holds everything in an organized way I see no reason not to.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I think you should get it if you have a deep and abiding love for the bag when you see it. Otherwise... I'd look at getting a really cute, oversized purse or totebag.

Conversely, I don't have a baby, but I'm seriously looking at a black leather Nest diaper bag, to be my dance bag/carry-on bag for trips. I found out about them on a post about travel packing.

Thistle

Veteran

Would never think diaper bag when I saw it except for the teddy bear. Take that off, and you are set!

Raisin

Veteran

Thanks for all the replies! I'm still sort of on the fence. You see, I do not actually own any bigger purses, so when we go out, I usually take my own purse which holds my wallet, keys, phone and some lip balm and really that's it. Some of my slightly bigger ones I can fit one diaper and wipes in. But I'm not an over-packer, so I like that! When I need to bring a bit more for the baby, I usually use a little bag from a store, you know like the sturdier kind like a Lululemon bag or something, and then just throw it under the stroller. So it's not like I can't get along without a baby bag, but at the same time, I kinda like the cute ones, and so I'm sort of shopping around for one now.

I also really like the little bear on the purse, but it wouldn't be a purse I'd be taking out to dinner or something (unless it was dinner with the baby!) it's more so a purse that would hang on the back of my stroller and I guess look a little nicer than an old store bag.

But still...I ask myself....do I really need one?

Irene

Veteran

I didn't even know diaper bags existed (I thought I would just use a big bag?). This looks more than fine. Enjoy!

Deborah

Veteran

I do know the brand and I like your thinking. If you are sure you will use it, go for it. There are some very cool baby bags around and even now I occasionally consider the purchase of one to use as a work bag:)

LoveSarahDub

(website)

Janet makes a great point about the tote, and I have to agree. My son is 10 months old, so a diaper bag is still an every day essential for me. I knew even before he was born that I'm just not the typical diaper bag kind of girl, but I didn't want something that looked good but accomplished nothing. I found a black nylon Kenneth Cole Reaction tote with all-over black 'letters' stitchingthat was and still is perfect! It still has the side pockets just like a typical diaper bag, but just inside pockets you'd find in most handbags. It's durable, lightweight, holds all the essentials but still looks great.

I'm a crazy-large handbag fanatic, so sometimes if we're just making a quick trip I just put the basics right in my handbag. Other times I fill one of my casual clutches with what I need and slip it in the diaper bag. I've even brought my huge purse AND the diaper bag, but I know I'm probably the only one weird enough to think this is normal MOTG behavior

All in all, if you like the bag, get it! But if you're trying to convince yourself it's perfect because it's like a diaper bag, there are probably a few more options that work just as well if not better

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I remember my friend in your same profession having a large bag he used to use for work, and I second Deborah into thinking this bag may work for you at work as well, after the kiddies have outgrown a need for a diaper bag

Raisin

Veteran

Annnnd....the purse has been ordered. I think I'm way over thinking this. Just like I do every purchase. But it came down to I'd like to have a proper purse/bag to tote baby gear in instead of an old store sack, and this one is the perfect size/shape and I like it better than the other baby bags I've seen. That sentence is too long, lol!

Anonymous

I think you made the right decision. I've noticed that dads are often the ones who carry the diaper bag and look happier with something neutral than a gaudy pink or baby blue bag.