Christmas wishlist: 5 diaper bags that don’t look like one

Christmas is just around the corner. The holiday cheer is everywhere, getting more and more contagious with each passing day. Everyone seems to be making or checking their lists of gifts they either want to give or receive. If you’re a mom, chances are your list is filled with items intended for your kids — baby clothes, toys, and the works.

But just because you’re a mother doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the season of receiving gifts for yourself. You can buy yourself or ask for a present that you actually want without feeling that it should’ve gone to the baby instead. Considering that it’s usually us mothers who will use a lot of these items for our baby, we can actually indulge ourselves with items that we can share with the baby.  After all, items like UV sterilisers or diaper bags don’t necessarily have to come in bright or pastel colours, right?

It’s been quite a few months since I’ve been obsessing about these particular models of diaper bags. One of the things I love about them is that they look like the kind of bags I will buy and use before I got pregnant. They look hip and sophisticated on the outside, and yet still have all the compartments you’ll need to organise your baby stuff. They’re perfect for working moms, who can’t avoid bringing their babies to the office or outside meetings.

And if there’s anything I would like to get this Christmas, it would definitely be one of these 5 diaper bags that don’t look like one.

 

Jujube

Photo by Jujube Asia

I tend to carry a lot of stuff, and with the baby’s arrival, I expect to carry more. And because I’m not a fan of carrying multiple bags at once, this Forever Backpack Noir Rose Gold is perfect for me. Measuring an impressive 16 inches tall and 11.5 inches wide, this classic black Jujube bag definitely has the space to hold all the things — laptop, notebooks, and chargers — I would need for my freelance assignment together with my baby’s necessities.

Made out vegan leather, it’s surprisingly light and has 4 gusseted pockets, quick-reach phone pocket with insulated compartments to keep my breastmilk bottles warm.

Jujube’s Forever Backpack Noir Rose Gold, US$180

 

Fawn Design

Photo by Fawn Design

Believe it or not, this Fawn Design’s Original bag in Honey is not made out of genuine leather. It’s actually made out of wipeable faux leather material that makes cleaning a lot easier. Accented with gold zippers and custom hardware, this 13 by 15-inch bag features simple and classy design that can be used anytime — for work, a weekend out with the fambam, or simply strolling the mall with the little one. This bag is so gorgeous it’s also perfect to be your next #OOTD bag!

It also boasts a total of 12 compartments — 6 pockets outside, and 6 others inside including a zipper pocket. There’s also a keychain hook on the inside. With adjustable 32-inch straps, it can be worn in two ways — as a backpack or messenger bag. Now’s that for style versatility?

Fawn Design Original in Honey, US$169

 

Ryla

Photo by Ryla

I’m in love with this Ryla Ready bag, which comes in that rich, limited edition brown colour. It’s not as a big as the two previous ones (I love big bags!), measuring 11 inches by 14 inches. But its simple and straight-forward design with a front-zipped and two side pockets outside makes it an instant classic. Made out of faux leather, it doesn’t easily fold that makes its nylon-lined interior easy to access.

There are also two bottle holders inside, three interior pockets including a zipped compartment that can separate your personal items such as notebooks, wallets, and keys.

Ryla Ready in Fall Brown, US$139

 

Skip Hop

You would never be embarrassed walking into a meeting with this. Crafted in lux vegan leather, this sleek grey Skip Hop diaper bag also offers two classy looks. Thanks to a convertible strap, which can go as long as 58 inches, it can be worn as a backpack or as a cross-body messenger bag. Very clean, elegant, and functional right?

Measuring 18 inches x 6.5 inches x 14.5 inches, it definitely has a large main compartment that is secured with zipper. It even comes with a tassel charm that hangs from its front flap, which also serves as second closure for the main compartment. Aside from its two insulated side bottle pockets, I also liked that this bag comes with an easy-to-grab top handle, which can easily be strapped to a stroller in case your shoulder gets tired from carrying the weight.

Skip Hop’s Greenwich Convertible Backpack, US$100

 

 

Milk & Co.

Photo by Milk & Co

The only luxury item in the list, I picked this Milk & Co because unlike other designer diaper bags out there, its Delux Limited bag has impressive 12 compartments. This mix of open and zipped-up top and internal compartments (including 4 large bottle pockets) allows the bag to hold and segregate your personal stuff from your baby’s necessities with ease. I also love that it’s designed to hold its shape, making it stable as I rummage through all the stuff inside even on the go. Yes, I can already picture myself with this (LOL)!

It also comes with a removable internal pouch and key tags, machine washable changing mat, and adjustable leather straps.

Milk & Co’s Delux Limited in Betty Blush, AU$449.99