Best Diaper Bag from $150-$400? Need help!

[jennycolman5]

I need to buy a diaper bag for a present. I can spend between $150-$400 or so....The ones I know of are:

Petunia Picklebottom
Kate Spade
Flourville

Are there any others in this price range? I am looking for something very stylish yet also good usability. The Kate Spade's seem like a blank tote with a few pockets....? I really need something that has gotten really good reviews/ratings etc...Anything in this price range will work. Do you know of any others out there?

Thanks for your help!!!!!

[megtell]

I have actually been quite pleased with the bags from this site:

http://urbanfibers.com/

She does custom bags that are just beautiful. My cousin had a Kate Spade and it didn't hold up as well as I would have wanted it to.

[Chelsey333]

My Kate Spade is 2 years old and it does not look as nice anymore. It has become very floppy looking.

[Emmas Mom]

Sorry, I don't have any other recommendations for you but....can I be your friend?! :D lol I think I'd just about die if any of my friends spent that much for a diaper bag as a gift for me! ;)

[jk3]

I would recommend looking into the Fleurville Mothership. It's a versatile bag + comes in many cool fabrics. It's approximately $150 but if you need to spend more you can get a coordinating wrist bag or Escape Pod to go with it. Check out the Fleurville site: www.fleurville.com. Hope this helps.

Jenn
DS 6/03

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030603/2/5/1/-5/.png

[annabellesmom]

I love my new alpha from fleuriville. It isn't quite as expensive as the range you were looking for but you could stock it with all sorts of fun stuff. Like a really cool small baby blanket for travel, a few toys and maybe even a hotsling (they fold up nicely and you should be able to find one to compliment the bag you pick). I know I would have been psyched to get a gift like that.

[houseof3boys]

You know, I would rather have a few diaper bags that add up to this than one! I love being able to switch my bags for fashion and function. :)

[bluej]

That's a great idea Debbi! Yeah, I'd love a quick errand size bag, an all day outting bag, a dress up diaper bag...we all know the possibilities are endless!

[MamaKath]

What about one of the higher end favorites with some accessories? Or a couple diaper bags that suit different purposes, stocked to the hilt with the things a new mom might need? Diaper bags are my least favorite gift to pick out since taste is often so personal on them, lol. Just check out the thread of bag collections and you will see many of the more popular bags in very varying styles and collections.

My thoughts are the Fleurvilles, a Loom bag, Chester Handbags, Oi Oi bags, Ella bags, Whimsical Wears (also refered to as WW bags on the boards; wonderfully, lovingly handmade) which are all excellent and beautiful bags and have many accessories available. Something in addition might be a SkipHop which serves as a diaper messenger bag, as well as a stroller bag. So something like a Whimsical Wears backpack with accessories plus a SkipHop might be a good start depending on your friend's needs and taste. :-)

I agree though, you are certainly a very nice friend! ;-)Have fun shopping!!!!!

http://www.fleurville.com
http://www.chesterhandbags.com
http://www.ella-bags.com/
http://whimsicalwears.com/info.html
http://www.loomlife.com/index.htm
http://www.oioi.com.au/
http://www.skiphop.com/flash/

[audys]

My Kate Spade is also becoming floppy and things fall out of it all the time. To be honest, I'm now using the Lands End Diaper backpack to keep my hands free and I love it!

Audrey, mother to Graham born Feb, 2004

http://lilypie.com/baby1/050210/3/15/1/+10/.png (http://lilypie.com)

[ShaniB123]

I'll just mention 2 brands that no one else has mentioned yet.

I think the Talene Reilly bags are beautiful. You can see them at:

http://store.yahoo.com/talenereilly/babybag.html

I also think the Timi & Leslie bags are really nice. You can see them at:

http://www.tuttibella.com/timi-and-leslie-diaper-bags.html

Still, my favorite, in terms of looks, is the Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack. People seem to love the functionality of the Fleurville Mothership, but the fabrics are not everyone's taste, and the bag is so large that it looks kind of strange on petite people.

Good luck!

First due in CA in October

[Sampaguita]

I'm visiting in Chicago & stopped in at Bloomingdales today. I picked up a bag that I thought would be great for work...so many outer pockets, only to discover that it's a diaper bag. I fell in love with it...but not the price. If I remember correctly (I dismissed it immediately from my mind), it was about $200? I have to go back in tomorrow to return something before I leave town, so I'll stop & take a look. I didn't recognize the designer but it is definitely one I have not heard talk of on the boards.

I looked on the Bloomies website, but it's not shown there. I'll let you know tomorrow.

ETA: http://new.brownson5th.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BO5&Product_Code=OiOi+Large+Leather+Tote

OiOi's Leather tote...don't know how practical or how it stands up to the test...maybe some others have already had experience with it?

[writeleigh]

I have an angelo Isaac diaper bag that I adore. I always get tons of compliments on it too (and have had many a mother ask me where I got it).

http://www.naturallullabies.com/Accessories.htm

[Sampaguita]

I stopped back in at Bloomies & found a couple of things.

The ones I saw are by Dante Beatrix. They are pretty roomy & the outside seems functional. I wasn't too crazy about the zippered top nor that the inside is one big space. There is a key loop & a couple of small zippered compartments on the inside. It comes with a changing pad & small zippered bag. The best part were the roomy, accessible pockets on the outside - 3 in the front & 2 on the sides.

They range in price from $198-245.

http://newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/shopping/columns/bestbets/bb040426_5_125.jpg
http://dantebeatrix.com/shop/item/images/baby_bag_gr_sm.jpg

ETA: http://store1.yimg.com/I/babygeared-shop_1806_309059

Bloomies had them in one pattern that looks similar to the pink stripe Fleurville MS (just posted above) and in black w/blue trim & black w/pink trim. The leather handles are adjustable.

www.dantebeatrix.com

They also had a Burberry diaper bag for $495. IMHO, it's a lot of money for essentially a plain tote. It was of course made from the Burberry fabric but it had no real great functionality as far as being a great diaper bag. They only thing that made it "seem" like a diaper bag was that it came with a changing pad. Nothing fancy. Certainly not worth almost $500 unless you're a Burberry fan.

Saw a Coach diaper bag but it seemed kind of heavy to me.

HTH!

[lampes]

On a serious note, http://bellablumaternity.com has great bags in your price range. The OiOi bags are very stylish.

On a kind of fun note, there is the Louis Vuitton diaper bag, $ 1,120.00

http://images.eluxury.com/assets_server/product/10461142/p10461142_ph_hero.jpg

and the Gucci ($750)

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/products/mn/S4-05JY_mn.jpg

The Prada diaper bag ($820) (couldn't locate picture).

[momma2kate]

I own a Kate Spade and HATE it....It has only been used once or twice. You can tell it was designed by someone without children. Mine is the zippered top. So, from the research I've done and the recommendations here:

Fleurville
Petunia Pickle Bottom (although not practical for spills as it is fabric)

Good luck and keep us posted!

Angie

Kate: 7/29/98
Wilson: 5/6/04

[newmominaugust]

A lot of my friends back in NYC have the Coach diaper bag. Although I don't know how functional it really is.


Zynnia
Anthony Joseph 8/14/04

http://lilypie.com/baby1/050814/3/15/0/-5/.png (http://lilypie.com)

[2lovingkids]

My sister just recently bought me a Timi & Leslie backpack and I adore it. This is such a functional bag. It got me through airline travel and all sorts of outings. She found this one at www.emmyandally.com and they have some other nice bags as well (but not as spendy as what you are looking for).

In my search for the perfect diaper bag I also found a site www.amymichellebags.com
I've never seen these bags in person, but they look really nice and are in the price range you are looking for.

You'll have to let us know what you buy! Good Luck!

[SteelerFan]

My friend has a beautiful Coach diaper bag that is as heavy as a small child packed! The look is wonderful, but she said it's heavy and the shoulder strap hurts. I was dreaming of buying one until I lugged hers around for an hour! I have a Blue Chocolate Mothership and I *LOVE* it--it's a great big bag and it's pretty, too! The new fall line has some beautiful new fabrics that I'm drooling over--I'm trying not to buy another as I have 3 allready and my son is only 5 1/2 weeks old (and I'm trying to buy and hide a 2 red hens bag! LOL!)

Amy

[Jeanmick]

Just a thought...a diaper bag is such a personal decision. Would you consider giving her a gift certificate, refer her to several websites of recommended diaper bags and then have her choose which one she wants?

[bubbaray]

As a complete bag addict, with pre-baby purses in all prices ranges from Louis Vuitton down to REI-style cordura bags, I would highly recommend getting your friend TWO bags. I recommend a Skip Hop, and perhaps something from the Fleurville line or a Petunia PickleBottom if she likes brocade. The Skip Hops are GREAT -- I can't say enough about that bag. I would take it over a LV or Burberry or Coach bag any day! But it is nice to have something a little dressier too.

I think you could get a couple of bags and have your friend nicely set up to start her own collection!! :)

Make sure that where ever you buy the bags, she can return or exchange them too -- get gift receipts if possible.

Melissa
Mom to Maya http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/binky.gif & Dog Mom to Bubba http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/dog.gif

http://www.babysfirstsite.org/newtickers/ticker/11089.birthday.png

[Sia Anderson]

Yep I’m a freak that loves bags. I have many, but my Petunia and Coach are my top two. Two totally different bags. I love the Petunia for my special days and evenings and my Coach is good for all around. Those are my two votes.

[cimberdog]

My vote if for the Fleurville Mothership, along with a wrist bag.

Whenever I do baby shower gifts, I do baskets with all sorts of goodies in them, so you could get the diaper bag and then stock it with all sorts of fun stuff! Maybe a Miracle Blanket for swaddling, some Mylicon for gas, bottles (if she has those on her registry), sippy cups for later, a super soft chenille blanket (toddler size) with satin edges, or a smaller taggie blanket, soft baby book, pacifiers (if she's planning on using them), and how about a Sister Song CD? http://www.sistersong.com/

If you don't know the baby name yet, you can get a generic one for her. Sam listens to this every night before bed and starts begging for it as soon as our evening rituals start.

[Sampaguita]

What did you decide on?

[AbbieF]

If you aren't on overload already check out the diaper bags by JL Bamboo: http://www.ljbamboo.com/cgi-bin/ljbamboo/handbags/baby1.html
I had never heard of them until a friend of mine purchased the pink suede one. They have a lot of different colors and fabric types to choose from. The bag comes with shoulder straps, a long style strap to use as a messenger bag , and removeable bamboo handles that allow you to carry it like a clutch or a suitcase. She loves it and it really is beautiful!
Good Luck!

Abbie
Mom to Maddie 4/17/04

[2lovingkids]

We have to hear... what did you decide on?