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10 Stylish (& Storage-Friendly) Alternatives to Diaper Bags

By Candace Davison

| May. 5, 2022

Additional reporting by: Brianna Lapolla

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Did you bring the snacks? Extra diapers? Enough wet wipes to bathe you and your kid in if all hell breaks loose? Sure, your daily carry might look a smidge different than it used to, but that doesn’t mean you have to relinquish all style for utility. Here, ten fashionable handbags spacious enough for hauling your essentials.

AMAZON

1. The Surprisingly Roomy Mini Backpack

Why We Love It: dirt- and water-resistant, weighs less than ½ pound, includes three pockets, available in several colors and patterns

Gen Z may be raving about Fjallraven’s backpacks on Tiktok, but in-the-know moms have been swearing by the mini size long before the app’s launch. It’s just the right size to stow diapers vertically, and you can comfortably fit four, a pack of wipes, a snack, a bottle, and your phone, keys, wallet and gloss without straining to zip it up.

$58 AT AMAZON

Nordstrom

2. The Canvas Tote + Packing Cube Combo

Why We Love It: The tote’s available in four sizes and two depths, extra sturdy construction, packing cubes make transitioning to other bags easy

A thick canvas tote is the kind of go-anywhere bag every mom can use, whether she’s toting groceries, commuting from work or planning a full day out. But that massive compartment can equate to a lot of rummaging, which is why several editors say they pair their bags with a set of travel organizers: one for diaper needs, one for snacks, one for, well, whatever else you want to keep contained.

Buy the Bag ($40)

Buy the Cubes ($25)

Nordstrom

3. THE CONVERTIBLE BACKPACK

Why We Love It: water-resistant, includes changing pad, multiple pockets

OK, so this one is technically a diaper bag. But it looks nothing like the clunky bags that scream “I have milk in here!” The straps convert it from a backpack into a crossbody or shoulder bag, and it has tons of interior pockets for things like bottles, snacks and diapers.

BUY IT ($189)

Kate Spade

4. The Tidy CROSSBODY

Why We Love It: pebbled leather construction, three pockets, adjustable strap

Congratulations, Mom: You survived potty training! You’re also starting to tote less on each outing, which means you deserve to treat yourself to a stunning little bag that’s compact yet loaded with organizational options. At seven and a half inches wide, this Kate Spade number is just wide enough to hold your phone, keys and tissues, but where it really excels is its three pockets and six card slots. Sometimes less really is more—particularly when everything is in its place.

BUY IT ($186)

Nordstrom

5. THE ZIP-TOP LEATHER TOTE

Why We Love It: adjustable shoulder strap, zip top to prevent spills, includes an interior smartphone pocket

Loved by moms and non-moms, this tote one-ups all your previous work bags with a convenient shoulder strap. Plus, it’s made with real leather, so it will last long after your diaper bag-carrying days are behind you.

BUY IT ($195)

Telfar/StockX

6. The “It” Bag

Why We Love It: made of vegan leather, available in several colors, structured shape helps you look polished (no matter what you’re hauling)

Dubbed the “Bushwick Birkin,” Telfar bags have become a status symbol for Brooklynites and celebrities alike, and for good reason: They look sleek, they’re roomy and they’re structured. The shopping bag styles sell out just as quickly as they’re dropped—look out for the bubblegum pink launch on May 5—but you can often snag one secondhand via resale sites like ebay, Poshmark and StockX.

BUY IT (PRICES VARY)

7. The Belt Bag

Why We Love It: keeps hands free, compact size, includes changing pad, vegan leather construction

You already spend enough time hunched over a screen—give your shoulders a break (and free up your arms a little) with a belt bag. Kibou’s hybrid diaper bag won in our inaugural Happy Kid Awards for its minimalist design, and we stand by its Mary Poppins-like ability to hold everything from Band-Aids to diapers and wipes in one 11-inch pouch. (Plus, the fold-out changing pad, while small, is great for last-minute changes.)

BUY IT ($83)

Nordstrom

8. The Insulated Backpack

Why We Love It: Includes insulated bottom pouch and bottle holder, large enough to hold breast pump, adjustable shoulder straps

The mod, color-block details make this a diaper bag you’ll actually want to carry; the roomy, insulated bottle pocket and bottom half make it one you won’t want to leave the house without, especially in those baby’s-perpetually-hungry first few months.

BUY IT ($149)

Tory Burch

9. The Bucket Bag

Why We Love It: top handle and crossbody carrying options, ultrasoft microsuede interior, contains two pockets

You’ve crossed over to the phase where your nights and weekends are dominated by your kid’s games, practices and clubs. You deserve a roomy bucket bag that’s just large enough to hold an emotional support water bottle, snacks, a tablet and a good book, so you can avoid bouts of hanger (and, let’s be real) boredom, in case that Saturday morning practice runs long.

BUY IT ($548)

MZ Wallace

10. THE QUILTED SATCHEL

Why We Love It: easy to clean, nylon/leather construction, includes removable pouch and key clip

We get it: Messes are inevitable. And if it feels like everything you own these days is splattered with something (paint! Spaghetti! Slime!), this is your saving grace. The quilted nylon is easy to wipe down when things get wild. Oh, and it comes with a removable interior pouch (which is also easily washable), so you can transfer items from bag to bag without triple-checking that you have your kid’s favorite binky.

BUY IT ($245)

10 Stylish (& Storage-Friendly) Alternatives to Diaper Bags

1. The Surprisingly Roomy Mini Backpack

2. The Canvas Tote + Packing Cube Combo

3. THE CONVERTIBLE BACKPACK

4. The Tidy CROSSBODY

5. THE ZIP-TOP LEATHER TOTE

6. The “It” Bag

7. The Belt Bag

8. The Insulated Backpack

9. The Bucket Bag

10. THE QUILTED SATCHEL

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10 Stylish (& Storage-Friendly) Alternatives to Diaper Bags

1. The Surprisingly Roomy Mini Backpack

2. The Canvas Tote + Packing Cube Combo

3. THE CONVERTIBLE BACKPACK

4. The Tidy CROSSBODY

5. THE ZIP-TOP LEATHER TOTE

6. The “It” Bag

7. The Belt Bag

8. The Insulated Backpack

9. The Bucket Bag

10. THE QUILTED SATCHEL

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