Trumansmom-re: nine west messenger bag

[kathsmom]

Have you used it IRL yet? What did you think of it? I am still on the diaper bag quest and will not rest until all possible contenders have been tested!! LOL. DH is thinks I am crazy, but I have already narrowed down my field of competitors, but want to give the messenger bag a chance too. May I ask why you decided to try this bag? Were you not happy with the Avent bag? Or did you need a larger bag for longer outings?

TIA!

Toni - mom to Katherine (5/19/96) and Andrew (9/23/02)

[Nina31]

Hi Toni!
I'm curious as to which diaper bags you tried but didn't like, and why you returned them. Even though I've actively stopped searching, I always keep my eyes out for a possible perfect one!

Nina

[kathsmom]

Hi, Nina!

Here is a list of the diaper bags I bought and returned:

1. Eddie Bauer medium sized diaper bag in royal blue from BRU - returned because it was a lint magnet and I didn't like the way it hung on my hip (it stuck out too much).

2. Babies Alley black microfiber backpack from BRU - the straps did not fit right on my shoulders, and I just didn't like the way I would have to pack it.

3. Black backpack by Sportbaby from BRU - returned because it did not open wide enough at the top to access the contents.

4. Avent carryall/babybag from BRU - I really liked this bag a lot, but because I wasn't sure of what I wanted and because of the 90 day return policy, I returned it. I may go back and get it - they had 1 left at BRU, but it was missing the Thinsulate cooler.

5. Eddie Bauer overnight active diaper backpack from BRU - Loved the way it looked and the material, but the straps were a little uncomfortable and it stuck out so much on my back that I was afraid I was going to knock people over with it!!

6. Activ-Pak by Baby Trend from BRU - loved the room, pockets and organization. It was comfortable too, but once again, it stuck out so much from my back.

7. Lands' End do-it-all - the new version. I like this a lot, but feel that it may be too big for everyday use, and it does not fit well in the basket of my stroller (PP Venezia). I have not returned it yet.

8. Lands' End Little Tripper - the one just phased out. I like this a lot too, but there is no room for bottles and I have to have a bottle cooler, because DS doesn't tolerate powdered formula, so I have to use RTF or concentrate. DH wants to keep this one for short trips and carry an insulated cooler separately.

9. Gap backpack (I bought it because of what you wrote about it and thought I would try it out). We really like this. I like the backpack, but DH likes the handle to make it a tote. Unfortunately, I could not find one that had the D-rings, but maybe if I look at a couple of more stores, I might find one.

DH wants to keep the Little Tripper and the Gap backpack. I am going to load up the Gap bag and see if it fits in my stroller basket.

I am going to look at the Belly Basics Mommy Tote and backpack at Nordstroms. The sales lady called and told me she had ordered some from another store since they were out of both when I went in. She has both of the bags and prefers the backpack to the Mommy Tote.

HTH and let me know if you find "the perfect diaper bag"!

Toni - mom to Katherine (5/19/96) and Andrew (9/23/02)

[Nina31]

Hi Toni!
Wow! That is a lot of bags. But at least you were able to return them. I don't know if you're interested in a backpack style or not but I keep looking at the Eddie Bauer backpack that's sold at the EB stores and the EB website. It's similar to the Activpak but it's a bit smaller and nicer looking. I have no idea how much it would stick out. But if you're at a mall with an EB store it doesn't hurt to take a look!

Nina

[LisaS]

I too, searched high and low for the perfect, practical diaper bag last year before my now 10 month old DD was born. However, I couldn't find any that I thought were both stylish and functional and my husband wouldn't be vehemently opposed to carrying if necessary. So, instead, I bought the greatest thing called "Everything but the Bag" from Babystyle.com (by a company called Mommy's Little Helper). It is everything you need to turn an ordinary bag into a diaper bag -- changing mat, bottle bag/insulator, great pouch for diapers, wipes, etc and an extra little sack -- all in black nylon.

The best things about the "Everything but the Bag" are:
a) its only $30
b) you can use it in any bag you want -- now that my DD is 10 months, I don't need as many things for her on a quick outing as I used to so I put the changing pad and diaper pouch in my regular large size bag -- I have friends who have turned their Louis Vuittons and Fendis into diaper bags b/c of this.

That said, I put all these items into a Prada messenger bag and have what I think is the perfect diaper bag for every day use. To me, a diaper bag is more of an accessory that hangs from your stroller than somthing you carry. So, the most important thing was that the straps would fit around the handles of the carriage/stroller. I have a Kolcraft Universal Car seat carrier, a large proper carriage (Emmaljunga baby classic) and a Maclaren Techno. A messenger-style bag was the only one that would fit around the Kolcraft and Emmaljunga. It has worked out phenomenally well. It has 2 front small pockets that are perfect for bottles/sippy cups or baby food jars; a large inside compartment that is roomy enough to hold a change of clothing, a few bibs/burp cloths, assorted toys/books; a small inside zipper compartment perfect for wallet, keys, cell phone, mommy stuff and then a compartment in the back that easily fits the "everything but the bag" pouch for diaper/wipes.

The prada messenger bag is pricey -- I think around $350, but that's what the Kate Spades are going for these days and that's a pretty fair price for a designer bag. That said, you don't need to buy Prada -- it just happens to be a great size/ good compartments,looks nice and the fabric wears so well and it has been spit up on, etc, and looks brand new after almost 1 year of hard wear.

The only downside of it, besides the price, is that its not large enough to fit everything you need for travel -- which we do a lot of. So, I used a Harve Chapelier tote that I already had -- they're cute and come in two-tones(can get it at bloomies, saks, barneys, any major upscale dept store) and use that for travel. Since I only travel with my Maclaren, it hangs easily from one handlebar of that (but you need to get the tip-me-not stroller weights so it doesn't tip over from the weight of the bag). It also fits nicely into the large basket of the Kolcraft universal car seat carrier.

The Baby Bjorn bag is supposed to be great -- it seems a bit small to me, but people rave about it b/c it has so many compartments. The other bag that lots of people like, for travel, is the Lands End diaper bag -- it may not be the best looking, but it fits everything you need for a plane ride.

About backpacks -- they're better for toddlers on trips to the playground than for little babies -- but otherwise, they don't fit on strollers all that well and you have to take it off your back every time you need something -- a bit of a pain if you ask me. I have several mommy friends who bought them initially and found it inconvenient so replaced them with totes. Now that their babies are older, they use the backpacks when they go to the playground and need 2 hands free to chase a running toddler at the park.

Hope this helps. Good luck and happy diaper bag shopping,

[trumansmom]

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner - Truman and I were off on a business trip, so the bag has officially been put to the test. And it got about a C! It's not nearly as big as it looks. I love the fact that it has compartments for all of my things, but if I pack that area, and then pack all of Truman's stuff, the flap doesn't velcro shut. All in all, it's just kind of bulky.

We have to go on two more trips this month, and I'm going to probably go back to my Avent bag. So far it's working best for me. Keep in mind, that Truman is rapidly approaching his first birthday(EGAD!! How did that happen?!), so my needs may be different from yours. One of the things that I love about the Avent bag is the little bottle carrier inside. It's designed to carry Avent sized bottles, but works great for carrying jars of food as well. It's not huge, but it still seems to have plenty of room. The changing pad is kind of small though, but that's not as important to me as it used to be.

And I tried the plain tote bag and just using all the pieces from other bags along the way as well! But I think I like the Avent Bag best for function and appearance. My Land's End bag held a lot, and was really great when he was tiny. I may give it another shot to see how it rates now. If only it were a bit more attractive!

Now I'm sleepy and rambling. But I hope I've helped a little!

Good luck!

[queenmama77]

I don't really have anything to add to this, I just wanted to comment on the name Truman! That'll be my second boy's middle name (Charles Truman), God willing!

I like different names, obviously. Plus, The Truman Show is my #2 favorite movie of all time! :)

[trumansmom]

Thanks! It was literally a last minute decision. It had been discussed and dismissed earlier in the pregnancy, but when he was born and the doctor asked me his name, Truman just popped out! Thank goodness my husband was agreeable!!

Good luck with #2! And I love your son's name as well. It's so substantial!

[kathsmom]

Hi, Trumansmom!

Thank you for the review of the Nine West Messenger bag. I had been wanting to go to TJ Maxx to see if they had any there for me to look at, but you have saved me a trip!! I looked for any Nine West diaper bags at Dillard's department store, but they didn't have any - do you know if they have discontinued making diaper bags? I do see them on ebay quite a bit. I agree about the Avent bag being stylish and functional. I wish I would have kept mine, since they only have 1 left at BRU and it was missing the Thinsulate bottle pouch and looked like it had been handled quite a bit. I was going to buy one from Baby Depot, but the Avent bag was 59.95 there!! It is 29.99-39.99 in stores or on the web.

LisaS,

I had seen the "Everything but the Bag" items on babystyle.com. I thought it was a great idea. I still may order this and find a tote bag to carry - they have some cute handmade ones on ebay. I am glad that you gave me a review of this, because I really hate ordering things and having to send them back (return postage will kill you!!).

Nina,

I tried the Gap backpack this weekend and it worked quite well for us as an "all day out" bag. It was comfortable to wear over just one shoulder or both. I did have to carry the insulated cooler for DS's bottles separately, but I have been able to fit it in the bag when it is not stuffed with diapers, clothes, burp cloths, etc. It held quite a bit of stuff without feeling too heavy. How are you liking your Gap backpack? I still want the Avent carryall/babybag, as well as some cute handmade totebags people sell on ebay. I could use the Everything but the Bag items that LisaS suggested with the tote bag. I am keeping the Gap backpack and will let you know if I send the Little Tripper packing along with the Do-It-All.

Thank you ladies for posting all of this helpful information. When DD was a baby, I was not this obsessive about diaper bags, because we did not have the internet or any stores in our small town that carried anything for babies. Now with the internet and living in a metropolitan area, I have almost too many choices and too much information!! Sometimes ignorance IS bliss!!

Toni - mom to Katherine (5/19/96) and Andrew (9/23/02)

[Nina31]

Hi Toni,
The gap backpack is working out well for me too. I love all the pockets- it keeps everything organized. I like the fact that it doesn't stick out behind my back as much as the Activpack. So far, so good!

Nina

[trumansmom]

Have you looked at Motherhood Maternity for an Avent bag? That's where I found mine. I think it was $39.

And you might want to check out the newer Land's End bags. THey've changed the design and don't look nearly as clunky as before.

Good luck!

[skates94]

I have the combi backpack from babystyle. Very comfortable, fits everything, and has 2 bottle compartments.