What is Dappered Dads? It’s a new series for the style-conscious fellas who have procreated. There’s just something about a woman who refuses to mail it in post baby, even though the challenges can be immense. The same can be said for the new Dads who don’t give up on their sense of style. This series is written by Dads, for Dads, with an attempt to merge the kiddo’s needs, & the content of his closet.
The market for diaper bags that’ll appeal to dads is unsurprisingly pretty small. Sure, it’s easy to find something quilted with flowers and bright colors slapped all over it, but most guys would probably prefer to throw everything in a plastic shopping bag before being forced to carry one of those monstrosities. Fear not! There are a few options that any dad would feel proud to be seen in public with. If you’ve got a bead on another bag that doesn’t look as bad as the contents of your little one’s Pampers, do us (and other Dads) a favor, and leave it in the comments section…
OiOi Chocolate Wax Canvas Satchel Diaper Bag – $170
Looking for a diaper bag that doesn’t look like a diaper bag? An Australian company called OiOi might just have the thing for you. Their crushed waxed canvas satchel comes with all the diaper-changing necessities in a package that looks more like a piece of rustic carry-on luggage. It’s not cheap, but you seem to get what you pay for. Features include fixed stroller straps, metal feet, an insulated side pocket for a bottle, and a key fob/pacifier holder.
Skip Hop Dash Deluxe – $50.49
The Skip Hop Dash Deluxe probably won’t be mistaken for anything other than a diaper bag, but it’s still a solid contender. If you pass on the louder, mommyish color combinations (cherry blossoms/uptown stripe), the black and charcoal are both solid options. It’s simple, understated, and not too big (i.e. “look at me carrying a diaper bag”). Plus it has special loops that allow you to clip it to the handlebars of a stroller. After all, the best-looking diaper bag might just be the one you never have to carry. Eleven pockets on this one. It’s also really hard to ignore the price.
Jack Spade Waxwear Dad Bag – $298
For people without a budget (or, for the pal who’s looking to go big on a baby-shower gift for his pal), the Jack Spade is worth considering. It doesn’t look like a typical diaper bag and gets the job done with sheer class. That being said, it is rather large. The description does say it has stroller clips though, so at least you can hang it from that when you’re on wheels. But it’ll be a bit bigger than most when on foot. At least you’ll look good while doing it. A new addition to the Jack Spade lineup. Might end up in the sale section one day?
Skip Hop Pronto Changing Station – $29.99
Maybe you’re the kind of guy that just hates all diaper bags, no matter what they look like. Well then… ta-da. Skip Hop was thinking of you, too. They’ve boiled it down to the bare essentials with a changing pad, a wipes case, and a pocket for clean diapers. At $29.99 it’s also the cheapest option, assuming you already have a bag of your own to put it in. So now your favorite everyday bag can also be your favorite diaper bag.
For all of the dads out there, what’s your go-to diaper bag of choice? Or what every day bags work well for a changing station? Meanwhile, got an idea for Dappered Dads? Send those in here.
About the author: When not de-creasing shoes, keeping his closet in good shape, or changing diapers, you’ll find Roving Style Contributor Alan S. participating as an active member on Threads.
hmm…3 options? usual standards?
I always tell expecting first-time mothers to make sure they get a “manly” diaper bag. This way, their husbands will be willing to carry it all the time. And, they may even take the baby out by themselves more often. Seriously, no dude wants to carry around a pink quilted bag with ballerinas on the side. We went with a Skip Hop bag which worked and looked great.
May be worth including the peasants and travelers diaper bag
It’s on ‘sale’ (round 70 quid)
http://www.peasantsandtravelers.com/collections/urbane-village/products/diaper-bag
I have the change wallet and love it.
Like saver when changing a child in a airplane washroom
Long time lurker. First time poster. Great idea. I hope to see more. when im on duty I use this black bag we got for free from babies r us. I actually have to transfer stuff from our normal bag when I am solo with the kids. Wish I saw this a while ago. No way I use my wife’s bag.
. Idea for next post: how to look good with throw up on your brand new pea coat. 😡😡
I got my wife a flowery Vera Bradley diaper bag as a surprise… And then promptly acquired the black Skip Hop above for myself.
Man – if I’d known about that OiOi bag when our little girl was born! That’s awesome. Still, when you’ve got a new baby you generally don’t have that sort of money to drop on a change bag – at least I certainly didn’t.
The good lady insisted on buying a bright pink nappy bag (we had a girl), and I ended up buying a cheap black one from Target for myself. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s big and carts everything you need with a little one.
I talked my wife out of the obnoxious bright colors… but I also went the cheap, solid black route for mine.
But yeah, that OiOi bag… dang.
Whatever bag you use, make sure to pack plenty of wipes and a tide-to-go pen. Kids don’t care about your nice blazers
Spending that kinda cash on a separate bag from your wife is a waste, just agree on a neutral black or brown bag and spend the savings on some extra diapers. Totally unnecessary.
Timbuk2 Stork. $140, but often on sale for $120 or less. Comes in black or, if she insists, “oatmeal,” so there’s no real need to get separate ones if you don’t want to. And you’ll be happy to use it as a regular messenger bag after the diapers are long gone. (I think it’s the equivalent of a Timbuk2 size medium.)
So I guess my question is, where did Joe get the baby for the photo shoot? Is there like a baby renting place?
The timing of this post couldn’t have been any better. Just had a baby girl yesterday and am looking forward to joining the dappered dads crew. We ended up getting a backpack style diaper bag from Okkatots. It has a nice clean finish to it and could almost double as a work bag down the line. Highly recommended if backpack style is preferred.
Totally agree on that one besides the bag goes where they go.
I’ve rocked the purple quilted vera bradley diaper bag with pride. I’ve got a little girl, it makes the mom happy, it brings out my eyes… What can I say, it just doesn’t matter that much.Plus its usually looped over some stroller handles or in the basket under said stroller anyway.
I bought my own bag about a month after my daughter was born. Not only because i didn’t want to carry the one with purple flowers, but because I couldn’t find anything in that unorganized monster. I bought the fisher price model with what they call fast finder. It’s black. Not great looking but not embarrassing. What I really love about it is it has a bunch of pockets and they are marked with discreet red tags that show what’s in the pockets. Easy to say to someone,”grab me a bottle from her bag”. They can tell it’s obviously in the pocket marked with a bottle. And most of the pockets are on the outside, so it’s easy to get to it without having to sit the bag down and open it. That means you can pull out a teether without having to put down a kid that will flip the F out if you put her down.
I’ll also add that part of the reason I got my own bag was to take ownership of parenting. It’s not something I help my wife with. It’s something I do. and I expect to have my own tools.
I’m not disagreeing that having two bags is unnecessary. It’s certainly redundant to have his and her bags.
That being said, how much of what we wear is actually necessary? How many things do people buy and wear because they just like the way they look? I suspect most people have more than one pair of jeans. And you could probably boil a shoe collection down to just 4 or 5 pairs if you needed to, but I suspect that most guys (at least on this site) have more than that. Wouldn’t the 6th, 7th, and 8th pairs be completely unnecessary, too?
(Just conversation fuel.)
Surprisingly enough, Fisher Price also has some diaper backpacks they aren’t terrible if you’re into that form factor.
The Skip Hop Changing Station is essential. You can throw it in a backpack with a few other things and you are good to go, and it helps to have a barrier between those old, dirty changing tables….that is when you are lucky enough to find one in a men’s room. Even if you get one of the other diaper bags, I recommend you pick this up too as often times it is going to be the ONLY surface you can find.
It’s not in the article, but I’m compelled to mention this for safety reasons:
More than one bag above can be clipped to a stroller, but not every stroller can handle the weight of a diaper bag. In particular, many 3-wheeled strollers will tip backwards if you hang a fully-loaded diaper bag off the back.
You had a baby yesterday and you’re commenting on a Dappered article today? That’s dedication right there, buddy. I waited at least a week when my girl was born.
That last paragraph is beautiful.
Our son is finally out of diapers, but while he was in them the LL Bean Carryall Diaper Bag was our go-to. Bean has carried it for years. Ours was in olive green (which I don’t believe they still carry), but the present color offerings (black and maroon) are nice. My wife and I specifically went for something that we could hand off to each other without the need for two bags and that wasn’t obviously too “diaper bag” looking. A great bag.
“It’s not something I help my wife with. It’s something I do.”
Amen. As a father of two boys, both of whom, as of three months ago, are now potty trained, I can attest to parenting and fathering as action verbs. It is not, “I am a parent/father,” but rather “I parent/father my children.” I agree that having you own “tools,” or at least actively participating in their selection, helps reenforce this. It also saves you from the daggers thrown your way whenever you feel compelled to respond to a question about a stroller with, “I really don’t care. Whichever you want is fine. After all, you’ll use it more.” I stepped in that one when my wife was three months pregnant with our first. Rookie mistake.
By the way, when my boys were still in diapers, I just used a leather messenger bag from Copper River. Stuffed it full of the essentials. Worked like a charm. Now it’s my work bag.
I just got a Rothco “Vintage Multi Pocket Messenger Bag” from Amazon, which was under $30, looks great, has lots of storage space, and has perfect-sized pockets for diapers, wipes, bottles. It seems plenty sturdy to throw into the washing machine if need be. See http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041TQ7J4/ .
Agreed on the timing – looking forward to this series as I settle into my new role. Fun to watch Dappered (mostly as a lurker) grow as its readership does!
We use a backpack from DadGear. I realize some will not like the idea of a backpack, but as the father of twins I need my hands and arms free.