A working mom never knows for sure what the day holds. You may expect to spend the morning at a board meeting and the afternoon writing a memo, only to get a call at noon to pick up a sick child. So it's handy to have your kid-care essentials right at your desk – and now designers are making diaper bags that you can bring to work without drawing stares.
JP Lizzy's Cate diaper bag combines classic beauty with functionality. It's a delight to carry and use, with a trim shape and ample interior space for baby gear or work papers. This bag would draw compliments in the boardroom, yet holds all the basics.
Style: Adorably Chic With a Beautiful Silhouette
This bag is quite simply a gorgeous accessory. I felt utterly chic carrying it. My sister-in-law fell in love with it too, even though she doesn't have kids.
The quilted microfiber is pleasant to the touch and easy to clean. The metal accents are a lovely complement to the bag's diamond pattern.
I definitely would use this bag for myself after I no longer needed a diaper bag. It was my favorite for style and price. All the line's other colors appear to be work appropriate too.
Functionality: Compact Size and Large Pockets
The Cate is so neat and tidy that it's surprising to find so much interior space. I like having a small bag because it keeps me from carrying unneeded items back and forth to work. Still, the two zippered pockets are big enough that I had to dig a bit for small items. I would've preferred one or two smaller pockets for easily locating Purell or my wallet.
The size is perfect for a dual-purpose bag – you'll have to take only the essentials, but they all will fit. It's a bit heavier than the Amy Michelle Gladiola, even empty, so it's fortunate the straps are the right length and quite comfortable.
Features: the Basics Do the Trick
- Changing pad: A bit small, but nice to have in its own stylish, flip-open side pocket.
- Bottle holder: Not insulated, just two adjustable interior pockets. One sippy cup with handles wouldn’t fit, although larger cups without handles did.
- Stroller attachments: The shoulder straps are detachable so you can fasten them around the stroller handle. The downside is that they can come unsnapped inadvertently, like when I tugged the bag out from the backseat of the car. It's annoying to reattach them because you have to unzip the whole bag to press the snaps in place.
- Mom's space: Trim, clean exterior pocket with a zipper. I would've liked more small pockets so my keys and cell phone didn't jostle around with my wallet, sunglasses, tampons, and Purell. The interior pockets are so deep and narrow that I had to poof them all the way open just to fit my hand inside to retrieve small items.
- Interior: The contrasting green lining with polka dots is adorable, and makes it easy to find things. There are enough pockets for a spare baby outfit and extra diapers. It fits two folded newspapers and work papers, although my 8x10 envelope got bent at the corners.
- Fastenings: Zipper around the entire bag; pretty metal zipper pulls and other details.
- Bottom: Four metallic feet help the bag stand on its own, although it's tippy.
Manufacturer’s Specifications
- Quilted microfiber wipeable fabric
- Wipeable liner
- Zipper closure
- Coordinating changing pad
- Large zippered interior pocket
- 2 open interior pockets
- 2 adjustable interior bottle pockets
- 1 front pocket with magnetic closure
- Metal feet
- Dimensions: 13"h x 14"w x 5"d
- Color: Black
