My 10-Year Quest for the Perfect Mom Bag

It seems like so many mothers love Clare V.’s crossbody purses — the cross-body pouches have basically become a staple at every drop-off or playdate — so I wanted to try one of her more tote-like iterations, which could hold more. The straps on this are a really great length (about nine inches) and it can easily be thrown over the shoulder without feeling too heavy when filled to the brim — and it has one nice-size interior compartment. The emerald color is so striking, especially in the nubuck leather.

At first, I was a little unsure of how the material would hold up, but because it’s made of nubuck leather, which looks like suede, it’s more durable than I expected. I’ve taken it from a soccer game to the park to dinner and it’s held up well. But I am definitely still a little cautious and probably will use this on days with my kids that don’t involve an art class or a messy snack. This is a simple (but important) callout, but the zipper is key and keeps all things contained because when I’m on the go with my kids, I tend to throw my bag around a bit (in the stroller or the car). And I can do that without worrying things are going to tumble out.

I’ve had the blue swan one for a few months now, and while the print is childlike, it still feels fun and stylish. It’s made of 100 percent cotton and can stretch to fit way more than you’d expect — which is one of the things I love about it. It does lack structure, but makes up for it with a lot of compartments inside and outside of the bag (like a dedicated spot for wipes). It also has loops that can attach to the stroller and I use that when I’m walking to the playground or around my neighborhood.

When I brought it to the playground, because of the soft fabric, it did get dirty pretty fast and while I think the bag is playful, it didn’t quite work outside of the day-to-day with my kids. I love this bag for strolls or going to the park with my kids, but really just as an ultimate “mom bag” that stays hooked on the stroller, ready for more kid-centric activities.

I bought this tote around the time my son was born thinking it would solve all my “mom bag” problems and could double as a diaper bag. People love this classic bag and I get it. It’s super durable and it looks even better when it has a little wear. But with kids, I found that despite the structure of the bag, items just somehow kept making their way down to the bottom — never to be found again. The lack of any compartments makes it tricky and when I go to empty it, I find all kinds of things from loose sand to beads to wrappers. Also, I made the mistake of getting the one with short straps and once I load it up with all the things, it becomes a bit cumbersome. I love this bag in theory but as a mom bag? Not as much.

Next up, I tried out the Loeffler Randall Klara tote. I wanted to give this one a whirl because the leather looked really sturdy and the handles and straps long, providing structure while also having a simple color palette so it could easily go from kid duty to a no-kids outing. Plus, I love a checkered motif.

When I took out for a spin, my kids and I went on a pretty long walk and I managed to cram in so many things: everyone’s water bottles, again; another monster truck; wipes; fruit; a change of clothing for my son. I really like how the horizontal shape and open top allows you to see and easily access items. Because this one is made of a thicker leather, I did notice feeling a little fatigued after a bit, but I alsodidpack it to the brim. When I tried it again with a lighter load, it felt much more balanced and comfy.

I never intended for this to be my official “mom bag,” but when it came time to get out of the house in a crunch, I kept coming back to Sezane’s The Tote. The strap length (9.8 inches) is really nice and very sturdy and supportive. I’ve packed it with my laptop, kids snacks, a 40-oz. HydroFlask, toys, and more. And it never once gave me issues or hurt my shoulder. I consider that a win. Bonus points for it being patent leather which has really held up to spills and marks.

[Editor’s note: The Tote style is no longer available, but the Gabin bag is a similar size with the same strap length, and also in patent leather.]

At first, Parker Thatch’sDaily Bagdidn’t strike me as a bag that would quite work for my hunt, since it was smaller in size than the others. But this bag might just be the hero of the lot. While I was able to fit a little bit less — I had to sacrifice my own water bottle — I was able to carry my son’s snacks, wipes, my wallet, and phone. And the real appeal for me is in the utility and versatility in how you can wear it.

The paracord strap allows you to wear cross-body or on your back, allowing your hands to be totally free without having the weight on one of your shoulders. When I wasn’t with my kids, I used the small leather strap and had the paracord hanging, which looked cute. It comes with a pass-through for traveling which was actually great for my son’s jacket. (I live in San Francisco, so we are never without a layer.) The camo print, not unlike a cheetah print, feels like a neutral and with a nylon fabric, it easily stands up to spills and being tossed around a bit. Big fan.

It feels like you can’t open up Instagram without spotting this bag, so I was interested in seeing how it would hold up as my mom bag. This tote definitely fits a lot. I brought it to the farmers’ market and out for a playdate and it felt roomy without being overwhelming. It strikes a utilitarian-but-still-stylish balance, though it is one of the more casual options — so probably not the one for a night outing. I love the added shoulder strap, making it easy to be hands free with the kids, and the compartments were just enough. It’s a bag I definitely will reach for often when I’m looking for an unfussy but cute option. I monogrammed it with my kids’ initials, a cute touch which made it feel special, too.