After my last post on my perfect diaper bag, a few of you voiced interest in the Kate Spade Denise, so I thought it would be worth doing a review!  This is my current diaper bag. I wish I had gotten this from the getgo because I think if I had, it would’ve been my one-and-only-forever diaper bag.  Without further ado, I introduce the Kate Spade Denise…

This is one sleek, beautiful diaper bag that doesn’t look like a diaper bag, meeting all my aesthetic criteria!  Now let’s talk looks first because let’s be honest here, looks DO matter.  First of all, I love the easy-to-clean nylon material paired with the beautiful 14-karat gold hardware found on the straps.

I have this in black because I like solid neutrals that match everything, but for those with bolder styles, I’ve seen this in leopard, and geometric prints as well.

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A close up of the coin purse and hardware on the straps

The straps are made out of patent leather, and can be lengthened to turn this into a cross-body bag, or shortened and used as an over-the-shoulder bag.  I prefer the latter.  I love how it hangs off my shoulders, and the bag falls right within reach of my hands so that I can rummage through one-handed while carrying my baby in the other.  I also haven’t found it to be uncomfortable at all!  At first I thought it might dig into my shoulders based on the material and thickness of the straps, but I’ve yet to experience that in my year of carrying this bag!  Another great thing about the strap is that it can go over stroller handlebars easily without the need for stroller clips.

Features zippered pockets on the left and right sides of the bag

It features 3 outer pockets – one large zippered pocket on the backside, and 2 smaller zippered pockets on each side.  Then, there are plenty more pockets on the inside!  It comes with a total of 6 inner pockets – 2 flat-edge open ones, 1 larger elasticized one, a large zippered pocket, and 2 elasticized pockets on each side to hold bottles or sippy cups.  The size of the inner pockets make sense too!  They’re all big and wide enough to store bibs, cloth diapers, burp cloths, diapers, and wipes.  I use the outer pocket to store things I want to grab quickly, such as my camera, cell phone, and car keys.  I usually keep the backside partially unzipped so I can just reach in one-handed and grab what I need.

Interior design of the bag

The interior look of my black Denise is sleeek too!!  It has this black-and-white cow looking design that I love!  Haha, I didn’t know how else to describe that pattern!  And it also comes with a coin purse and changing pad.  Now this changing pad almost deserves a review of its own because it is JUST.THAT.AWESOME.  It opens up in four directions, and two of the sides have pockets that you can store diapers and wipes in.  It folds up flat (taking up very little room in the Denise), and closes shut with a velcro clasp so if you ever decide you don’t want to use your diaper bag, you can just grab this handy little pad, toss it into another purse or carry it around like a clutch.  There have been so many times where Mr. Heels and I have been out and about when Jaren inevitably poops, so I just quickly grab this clutch (with my diapers and wipes conveniently contained in it) and we go do our thing!  No digging through my diaper bag trying to find all the right things.  No having to lug all my junk with me.  I love it!

I love this changing pad/clutch!  It is easy to open and close one handed too!

The structure of this bag is also nice because even when it’s empty, it can still stand upright without it completely collapsing (though it will inevitably slouch a little bit).  I think the width and depth of this bag is perfect too – it’s not too deep so you’re constantly having to search in this deep abyss of everythingness.  The width is great too because it is wide enough to fit a laptop, so long after I’m done using this as a diaper bag, I can use it as a work bag!

As for size, this really depends on how much you like to carry with you, but I think it’s a great size!  For those who own the ever-so-popular Skip Hop Versa, this bag is slightly bigger than that in both width and height.  This bag fits my needs as a mom to a potty-trained toddler (who sometimes has accidents), and a solids eating baby.  This is what this diaper bag can hold at max capacity – diaper wipes, 4 disposable diapers (probably more), 2 pull-ups, 2 undies, an extra change of clothes for Noelle (shirt and leggings), an extra change of clothes for Jaren (onesie and pants), 2 lightweight jackets, 2 Foogo straw cups, 2 snack cups with cheerios, hand & face wipes, boogie wipes, suncreen, wallet, keys, and cellphone.  Did I mention that all the outer pockets and the top zips closed?  Big, important feature for me because I never have to worry about anything accidentally falling out, especially when I have this packed to the max and bursting at the seams.

What I carry with me on a daily basis – this includes all I listed above, minus the snacks and jackets.  You can see the two Foogo straw cups I have on each side of the bag held upright by the drawstring pockets.

SIZE

  • 14.8”h x 12.9”w x 6.8”d
  • strap length: 15″-25″

I just love love love carrying this diaper bag, and get so many compliments on it!  It is almost perfect, the only thing I would change about this bag is that instead of one large outer pocket, it was divided into two smaller ones.  Other than that, I am really happy with this bag.

Note: This diaper bag always seems to be “out of stock” when I browse the Nordstrom and Kate Spade websites, but it is frequently sold brand new on eBay, which is where I purchased mine.

Do you love your diaper bag?