Purse to Diaper Bag: Staying Chic AND Prepared

Prada Straw Diaper Bag

At the start of summer I was super inspired by Miss Rachel Parcell and her straw purse look. I just happened to have a straw purse of my own, albeit a giant one, that I’ve had for years. Because of its size I’ve never really known what to use it for so it’s sat sadly on the shelf in my closet collecting dust. This summer though I had the perfect use for it! It’s just roomy enough to accommodate all of JJ’s diaper bag necessities while adding an element of chic to my summer wardrobe. I call that a win/win!

Katherine Heigl and her Prada straw diaper bag
Katherine Heigl and her Prada straw diaper bag

Most mamas know that a diaper bag comes equipped with a million pockets both inside and out to hold everything from wipes, to pacifiers, to clean clothes, to dirty ones. My Prada straw bag has no such pockets. In order to make it work for me I utilized several adorable hand made cloth pouches from Howdy Girl Designs. I had purchased them last summer from the Silly Sunday Park City Market that goes on all summer long up in my neck of the woods. The beauty of using these pouches is that I can easily switch them from bag to bag or leave them home if I’m headed out for dinner sans baby. They also help me to stop overpacking for JJ. I can only fit so many of them in my purse so I’m forced to pare down to just the essentials.

Here's What I Bring

One water proof bag with clean clothes, sunscreen, infant Tylenol, and a burp cloth.
One water proof bag with clean clothes, sunscreen, infant Tylenol, and a burp cloth.
One water proof bag with diapers, travel wipes and no rinse bottom wash.
One water proof bag with diapers, travel wipes and no rinse bottom wash.
One bag stuffed full of toys.
One bag stuffed full of toys.
One small pouch with a bib, spoon and room for my baby food jars.
One small pouch with a bib, spoon and room for my baby food jars.

These four well organized pouches have relieved a ton of traveling with a baby stress. When I don’t need them I keep them in a baby designated bin in the mudroom. When I do need them they’re already packed and ready to go, easily accessible and only require occasional upkeep like replacing diapers, soiled clothes and baby food. I’m thinking of ordering a few different styled pouches for whatever purse Rachel Parcell tells me to use this fall!

All packed up and ready to go.
All packed up and ready to go.
Katherine Heigl and her Prada straw diaper bag
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8 Comments

  • Sandra Oranje

    Hi Katherine. I love that purse. It looks gorgeous. A great idea to make it a classy diaper bag for all the moms. I’m not a mom and the kids in my live no longer need diapers. (My sisters kids) The youngest just turned 12 on Wednesday. But I do love a big purse. For me I would put my phone, my wallet and some lipstick and mascara in it. The rest I would use for shopping since we don’t get bags here anymore. To me it would be a classy purse/shoppingbag. BTW love what you are wearing in the photo’s.
    Big hug from the Netherlands xxx

    August 18, 2017 at 10:29 am Reply
  • Mon

    Great! I always have more changes of clothes because they always get wet! And always the anti mosquito product. Now her backpack I carry products in case they hurt . My bag was not as organized as yours . Excellent everything you write, I always read you. And sorry for my bad English, I speak in Spanish..

    August 18, 2017 at 11:04 am Reply
  • Lynda Chamblin

    Love your idea of using a big purse instead of a diaper bag . The pouches are so awesome❣️❣️❣️ Thanks for sharing plus love the gorgeous photos❣️I love to see you having so much fun along with looking so refreshed & happy . I just love your ranchHave an awesome weekend

    August 18, 2017 at 2:56 pm Reply
  • bobby joiner

    hi izzy, you look great in anything or nothing!

    August 18, 2017 at 4:07 pm Reply
  • Hasan Kart

    Hi again Katie. I just wanted to say that I love you very much. Again!! 😀

    August 18, 2017 at 4:28 pm Reply
  • Fabiana Alves

    Oh Great idea! Thank you so much for sharing with us.

    August 18, 2017 at 11:08 pm Reply
  • E.P.

    Great post and inspiring idea, will try the bag in purse thing immediately. My baby is one month younger than your cutie and it’s funny to see “Sophie” (the Giraffe) amongst the toy selection 🙂 she literally saves us on car rides or when a fussy moment occurs! Didn’t know “Sophie” was available in the US, too.
    Look forward to read your next newsletter. Keep it up, it’s fab, inspiring and relaxing! Thanks a lot for it

    August 19, 2017 at 6:13 am Reply
  • Deven

    I love using purses as diaper bags or a “mom bag” is what I called. Stylish for me and functional for baby!

    August 30, 2017 at 1:21 am Reply
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