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When my first child was born, I had a bit of an identity crisis. It’s not that I became someone I wasn’t. It’s that I was terrified of becoming a cliche. I wanted neither to appear as the frazzled, impatient, and underslept woman so many think of when they envision first-time postpartum moms (though I kind of was), nor did I want to appear to be a high-strung, OCD Stepford Wife (which I definitely was not…though maybe a tad high strung). I wanted to land somewhere in the middle––a cool, calm, effortless mom who was neither unkempt nor overdone. I was constantly toeing the line of what I thought I should or shouldn’t be, which, naturally, manifested in the items I purchased for my foray into motherhood.
When it came to the diaper bag, I knew I needed something functional and spacious. A friend recommended a cheap, generic-enough style she’d purchased on Amazon, so I got one, too. What did I know about diaper bags?! Sure, I was an ex-Vogue staffer well-versed in the new drop of Gucci loafers, but I knew nothing about baby gear. Did I love the diaper bag? No. But I thought, What's the big deal? It carries diapers. After all, I’m a cool, calm, effortless mom. I go with the flow.
What I didn’t say out loud, however, was what I really wanted. Coveted, really. It was the prettiest, chicest, most versatile backpack-diaper bag I’d ever seen. I’m embarrassed to tell you how often I looked at it online. It was the Mina Baie Harper Midi Backpack. It’s so sleek, you’d never know it has a multitude of pockets for stuffing away all the unglamorous bits of motherhood: lukewarm bottles, wet wipes, and pee-soiled onesies. Plus it has a dedicated laptop sleeve. Just perfect for a writer-mom on the go.
We like
- Incredibly stylish
- Well made
- Versatile
- Includes laptop sleeve
- Has structure without being stiff
We don't like
- Exterior pockets not great for water bottles or wipes
- Pricier than most diaper bags
- Changing pad sold separately
Now, four years later, I can say it was absurd that I thought I needed to buy something ugly and functional when I could have had it all with a Mina Baie. Alas, hindsight is 20/20. When my second child was born earlier this year, I made the switch. Enough sartorial sacrifices, I thought.
THE Bag For Bag Girls
I’m a bag girl. It’s become somewhat of a running joke with my mother-in-law because each year for Christmas, I ask for a bag. A slouchy woven tote, a travel-ready fanny, a roomy satchel. A purse can make or break an outfit, after all. What I love about Mina Baie bags is that they’re reminiscent of the “big league” bags, as it were: A Mansur Gavriel, a beautifully crafted Cuyana, or one of my personal favorites, Clare V. Except made for moms. Or people who like lots of pockets.
This may be what I appreciate most about their approach: Their diaper bag functionality is so discreet, that you’d almost never know they were made for moms. Their marketing is subtle, which I like. Sometimes we don’t want “mom things.” We want beautiful things that happen to make mom-ing easier.
While the Harper Bag, made of vegan leather, is as sleek as they come, even their nylon and neoprene options are undeniably chic. Most bags come in an array of style-elevating neutrals like Black, Espresso, Sand, and Desert, but their Fanny, for example, taps into cheerier hues like Blush, which is akin to a Millennial Pink, or Mer, which is a soothing pastel blue.
Never Sacrifice Function
For all this talk about how gorgeous the bags are, it is important to note that Mina Baie bags don’t sacrifice function––at all. There are ten pockets on the inside of the Harper Midi (some of them zipper pockets). Three pockets on the outside. There are two D-rings by the handle that make it compatible with an optional shoulder strap or a stroller hook attachment. The internal laptop sleeve is padded, and it's spacious enough to hold the latest version of a 13” Macbook Pro. It also has a water-resistant lining. (Obviously. Can you imagine?)
Currently inside my Harper bag are diapers, wipes, two ointments, two backup onesies, a couple of teethers, a burp cloth, a book, snacks for me, puffs for the baby, a pouch, the Baby Brezza Superfast Portable Bottle Warmer and, of course, a bottle. And there’s still room for more. While I wouldn’t say my Harper bag is the most spacious diaper bag we’ve tried, it holds more than what’s necessary. I’m willing to sacrifice 10% space for 100% more style.
There’s No Turning Back
Call me dramatic, but I may only buy Mina Baie Totes and Backpacks from here on out. I need pockets! That laptop sleeve is my whole identity! And because the bags are so stylish and versatile, they’ll last well beyond the infant years. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or scouring the Internet for the perfect new-mom gift, I promise, you will not be disappointed in one of these beautifully made bags.
SHOP MINA BAIE BAGS HERE
