Cardigan Empire

Salt Lake City Fashion Stylist

Best Diaper Bags, Reviewed and Rated


anxious waiting in the emergency room between contractions

Baby O has arrived.  And I promise to share him, after I selflessly hoard him a few more days.  For now, all six pounds, twelve ounces of him are mine alone.  (I may allow his father a few minutes with him).

While you are anxiously wait on an introduction, I’ve assembled a supremely selective Diaper Bag review.  And yes I have actually handled, if not owned, each and every one of these pre-toilet totes.  


Best Clean Up
Skip Hop Versa Diaper Bag in Cream Links, $70 
Storage Capacity:  10, Organization: 9, Durability: 9, Prettiness: 8, Price: 6
Eleven well placed interior and exterior pockets keep beverages, wipes, and pacifiers safely segregated yet easily accessible.  The center can be zipped or unzipped to expand it’s carriage capacity.  It’s top strap can go over the shoulder or one may switch to additional side straps that shoulder the stroller.  And my favorite feature, not only can the lightweight vinyl be wiped down, but you can safely toss the entire bag into the washer to remove any spills or accidental encounters with public restroom floors.  


Most Durable
JJ Cole Satchel Diaper Bag, $70
Storage Capacity: 10, Organization: 10, Durability:10, Prettiness: 9, Price: 6
Seven small, medium, and largish pockets line the interior and perimeter, providing solace for the most OCD caretaker.   Additional functional indulgences include: deluxe changing pad and stroller clips.  But besides being easy to wipe clean it’s best feature is the sturdy canvas construction.  It holds up to heavy wear and toddler tugs without a complaint



Chief Man Bag
Fisher Price Fastfinder Messenger Diaper Bag, $45 (on sale for $32) 
Storage Capacity: 9, Organization: 10, Durability: 5, Handsomeness: 6, Price: 9

Desperately seeking affordable and gender neutral? Ready your virtual red pen. The messenger styling and discreet color palette invite fraternity within the brotherhood of XY chromosomes.  Be aware that durability is questionable.  If your Mister is going to be using this on a daily basis, you may want to look elsewhere.  The outer wipes container, while handy, can pop open leaving wipes vulnerable.  (Swap it out for a travel refill pack by Pampers instead).  And it doesn’t have straps to secure it to the stroller.  But for the price it offers a beefy orderly option.
Least Likely to be Assumed a Diaper Bag
Cocalo Mila Carry All Diaper Bag, $72 
Storage Capacity: 10, Organization: 10, Durability: 10, Prettiness: 10, Price: 6

Prolific pockets and generous extras, including a reusable shopping bag, deluxe changing pad and pacifier holder, make this a functional contender.  Yet it could also easily be mistaken for a traditional lady’s satchel.  Unlike your wee one, nothing on this bag is going to scream it’s clandestine cause.
Most Economical
Ecosusi Diaper Tote Bag, $24 
Storage Capacity:  7, Organization: 5, Durability: 5, Prettiness: 7, Price: 10

A void of exterior pockets and modestly capacity are overshadowed by the price of this thrifty option. It does include interior organization, straps for stroller use, and can easily accomodate your soon to be bulging pocketbook in addition to your infantile essentials.
And what do you use as a mobile changing table?

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PostPartum Mommy Makeover: Dressing for the Fourth Trimester

 

the pearl you grew cell by cell over 40 long weeks has finally emerged

Postpartum is puberty‘s cousin.  Both involve high doses of hormones, manic emotions, and awkward body fluctuations.


Amidst the sleep deprivation and oxytocin throes, remember this truth: you are a mother, and unequivocally a queen. Every scar on your body is an imprint of the life you have born. Wear each mark as a badge of honor.

Your pre-pregnancy trousers will not magically latch as you exit the hospital, but if you’re lucky your baby will.  And that tiny body should be your focus.  Postpartum like pregnancy is a process, and one that can be relished, if given fair opportunity and appropriate costume.

THE FIRST 40 DAYS

Immediately after giving birth, I declare that all mothers have the right to a 40 day spa like retreat with their newly born.  Yet even during your span of sanctuary, you have to get dressed in clean clothes, everyday. A floral chemise and lightweight robe, yoga leggings paired with a cozy hoodie, select your lounge-wear with care.  Well wishers are going to visit and you want to look presentable.

BEYOND 40 DAYS

Tops(how to nurse in normal clothes)

  • The beauty of a button-down lies in its adaptability.  Expose the serving saucers and enshroud the rest.  It need not buttondown to hip, a handful of buttons on a henley is plenty.
  • A criss-cross wrap top not only leaves your core under the covers, it will also allow you to unveil a single teet at a time.  Or opt for a draped cowlneck, the extra fabric cloaks you and your sweet suckling’s business.
  • A knit’s neckline may scoop, dive, or lunge but make sure it stretches to accommodate milk appointments. And you may desire to pair it with a nursing tank. Open neck jersey knits are especially graceful when ruched or ruffled as they cloak retreating remains of pregnancy.
  • Because a swing jacket is cut fuller and wider than your core, your center instantly looks smaller and flatter by comparison. A  fingertip-length hoodie cut straight or banded below the bust (at the empire) rather than along the hipline avoids the puffy snowman homage in favor of a long, lean silhouette.
 
Skirts & Dresses:
  • Skirts are guileless creatures on the whole.  An A-Line cut will simultaneously pardon and offer sequestered sanctuary to a soft center, an inflated thigh, a swollen bottom.  Elastic waistbands are of particular use as they will unquestionably follow the expansion and contraction of your own figure.
  • Wrap dresses offer similar loyalties.  As you abandon inches they can be tightened across your frame; they also outfit you as a gracious and efficient milkmaid.
  • Babies are clumsy creatures and sleep deprived mothers are equally messy, wash and wear is thus a requirement to avoid dry cleaning dependencies.   Jersey dresses with veils of ruching, ruffles, and other embellishments will offer a vague yet vivacious outline.
 
Pants:
  • When given a soft, delicious center, the waistband of denim should corset in the widest width with a mid-rise.  If the waistband is too low, muffin tops results.  Too high and you’ll resemble a kangaroo.
  • Drawstring trousers allow you to adjust sizes sans tailor.
Unders:
Accessories
  • A lightweight scarf can be tied to camouflage bust and belly simultaneously.
  • A wide stretchy belt worn at your widest borders can corset in the remains of birth.  Just don’t cinch it in too tight.
  • Just because you’ve had a baby, doesn’t mean you are one.  Select a diaper bag with plenty of organization and sophistication.

Don’t be shy to add your experience in the comments.  What’s your favorite postpartum indulgence?