orla kiely just came out with her first diaper bag! it looks a lot like the rest of her purses, and the cotton laminate is a lot lighter than leather.
http://www.popdeluxe.net/orla-kiely-diaper-baby-bag-changing-pad-scribble-stem-spring-2010.html

I question the designer who creates LEATHER diaper bags. Diaper bags should be washable and light. There are a ton of non-leather, material bags that you could use as a diaper bag if you child is a year old--outgrowing bottles and eating finger foods. Try brands like The Sak or LeSportSac, messenger bags in canvas or nylon, etc. There are also a lot of Kate Spade type of microfiber bags that you could hand wash. Also as your child becomes more and more mobile, I would consider backpacks so that you have both hands free and can run around more easily.

Get a small backpack for your toddler to carry his diapers, wipes, snacks, and favorite toy. We use the dabba walls bags.

http://www.dabbawallabags.com/

My son loves carrying his around and it's machine washable.

I carry a large handbag from that I bought from anthropologie. It's large and inexpensive enough that I don't stress if I have to throw in a cup of juice or a paci in a pinch.

Just bought this one yesterday! http://jjcolecollections.com/theory-bag. I think I'm going to like it. :)

Wow, that Orla Kiely bag is really nice, but not cheap! Sigh.

I just bought the orla kiely bag hmo mentioned above a few weeks back and love it. Now that my son is 10 months, I was tired of carrying around something that looked like a diaper bag. It is expensive (although no more than her other bags), but I figure I can use it long after I need to carry around diapers for him. Unless you look inside the bag, you wouldn't know it is a diaper bag.

We live in a car culture and most diaper changes are done in the trunk of our Pirus. Oddly enough, it is the perfect height.

But for out and about I just throw in a double-sided wet bag into my purse. It holds two spare (cloth) diapers, a burp cloth that can be used for nursing or a diaper change, a small package of compostable wipes, and a small toy. Babe doesn't need anything else, I don't look like a frump, and best of all....NO WASTE.

This is my favorite: http://www.jilliansdrawers.com/products/clothdiapers/accessories/wetbagsandpailliners/wetdrybagfromplanetwise

What about using a bag or a tote that fits your style (not your child's) with a purse-to-go insert or other type of bag organizer. They come in different sizes with pockets for diapers, wipes, etc. Now that I have a toddler, I'm over baby/diaper bags too.

http://www.pursetogo.net/

Have you checked out Haiku bags? You can get them on Zappos or REI but they also have their own site:

http://www.haikubags.com/

I see non-moms using them all the time on the train commute because they're large with lots of compartments. But then I've also seen them sold as diaper bags. I bought one and then contacted the company and they sold me a matching changing pad. Might be too flowery for some but the price is pretty good.

I moved out of the diaper bag when our son was around ten months old. I found that I wasn't really using all the stuff I packed around, so why pack it?!

Unless it's something other than our typical errands, I keep a zip-loc in the car with wipes and diapers. Hardly ever need 'em.

In my purse, you'll find a small zippy pouch with a couple of his 'necessities,' like tylenol and a teether toy... and my chapstick and what-not. Snacks (in a little container of some sort, so they don't get crushed), juice, and the obligatory car-that-lives-in-mom's-purse are typically just thrown in with my wallet and keys.

I got an Orla Keily bag (just a purse, the cotton lam) when my son was 2 and used it until last summer (he is almost 8) when I replaced it with another of her bags. They aren't cheap but last a long time, look great and are easy to care for. The coating on the purse make it easily washable and the inner pockets (depending on which you get) are great for a purse/diaper bag. If you can stretch it, I say go for it, it's a good investment.

I recieved this SkipHop bag at a baby shower and I absolutely LOVE it!! It looks like a purse to me, but it totally functional as a diaper bag. I usually stick all the baby's stuff inside and the side pockets hold my wallet, keys, phone, etc. http://www.landofnod.com/family.aspx?c=71&f=5157

(I got it in Khaki and it's really sleek looking)

Sorry, that link didn't work well - here's one directly to Skip Hop's site. http://www.skiphop.com/product/21500.html

I'm a knitter, so was really pleased to find a Lexie Barnes messenger-style "knitting" bag on sale at my local knitting shop -- it's full of pockets, perfect for compartmentalizing all the baby stuff as well as having some space for my own gear! You can even get coordinating change mats from her line, but I was just as happy to have something that I know I'll use (as a knitting bag) after the babies have grown into kids.

Used to have a Babymel Amanda but it just wasn't well thought out in its design. Now I have a Skip Hop Studio Tote and love, love, love it! Mine is in the chocolate brown color - looks very stylish but I love it because it's so cleverly designed. http://www.skiphop.com/product/21500.html
One large outside pocket with snap is used to store all my stuff (wallet, makeup bag, phone, etc) and is easily accessible -- i.e., no digging around. Several small outside pockets with zipper for small things (pens, checkbook) that I don't use everyday, one of which is perfectly sized to hold 5 cereal bars/teething biscuits and three snack-size containers of snacks. Two side outside pockets that fit a bottle or sippy cup perfectly but discreetly so that even with sippy cup in tow, it still looks like a handbag. But the genius of this bag is the inside pockets. Four very large pockets - one holds the changing pad (included with bag), one holds 5 diapers, one holds my diaper wipes and one holds small toys and my flip camera. We haven't even gotten to the main compartment of the inside of this bag, which to be honest, I only use to throw an extra outfit and bib into.
I love that absolutely everything has a place in this bag and that it doesn't scream diaper bag and is affordable!

I've always used a big purse as a diaper bag. i have to carry it so i want it to be cute. I'm not talking designer, I have a large yellow bag from American eagle (it's totally wipe-able) that works and it's "manly" enough that my hubs doesn't mind holding it. i hope ...

i like my moop bag, personally: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40305328. extremely well-made, machine washable, just big enough, and it looks great.

We have and love the SkipHop Dash which is essetially a messenger bag (it's on sale right now at Totsy!).

However, now that my son is 2 we find that we no longer have to carry that much stuff for him, so I recently switched to an Orla Kiely bag (regular, not diaper bag and it's perfect as it's a handbag big enough to do double duty as a diaper bag!

Any suggestions for male friendly diaper bags? My husband takes our 14 month old to daycare and back so he's the one who usually carries the diaper bag.

I was never one to use all the pockets in a diaper bag, so I adore my orla kiely shoulder tote in the stem print. I use it as a diaper bag and tote. It has a huge, cavernous inside pocket that you can just throw everything in, and a few inside pockets to keep your keys/lip balm/wallet handy. It has a totally wipe-able/sturdy outside. I also constantly get compliments on it because it's gorgeous! To organize my girls' stuff (3 girls under 3 years old = lots of stuff!) I use diapees&wipees pouches (one for my older, one for my twin babies) for diapers/wipes/changing pad, and I keep snacks, sunscreen, and other small things in washable small cotton bags. It sounds crazy but it works great.

I have a large DwellStudio travel case and it's perfect:

http://www.dwellstudio.com/designer-baby-boutique/baby-accessories/travel-cases.html

I throw it in my purse if I'm using a big one or just carry it separately and then throw it in the stroller/shopping cart/whatever.

My personal faves are the baby kaed line (esp the masala and the jaipur) and the storksak bags, esp the elizabeth, which i own!). The leather of the storksak bags are easily wiped clean and very durable. They are lined with a wipeable lining, as well. My only complaint is that the leather bags are a bit heavy, but they will definitely do well as a non diaper bag when you are all done with that stage! Best to you!

I know what you mean about needing to still be able to carry your little ones things with you, but wanting a bag that looks more like a mommy bag. I have been a long time admirer of the Ju-Ju-Be line and this spring they are coming out with a new line called the Legacy collection which is made of "Earth Leather". They have a new bag called the Behave bag that is a combonation of mommy and baby bag. It also comes in a great earth friendly and WASHABLE faux leather that looks and feels so much like real leather, but without the worries that come along with real leather. I love how they have hidden areas that can hold sippie cups/bottles and a pouch in the main compartment that is perfect for holding a few diapers and wipes or other essentials. There is also plenty of room for you to also organize all of the things that you need to carry with you as well without having to carry a separate bag. The best part this bag is really sophisticated looking and no one would ever know you were carry a diaper bag. Here is the blog release of the new bag which is available to pre-order now and should be shipping out in the middle to end of April! http://ju-ju-be.com/ju-ju-blog/?p=672
I hope you love it as much as I do!

I say check out the JJ Cole ones as well as the Skip Hop line. I bought mine from etsy seller babyeverafter. (http://www.etsy.com/shop/babyeverafter) I worked with her to custom design a bag that looked like a normal purse but had some of the key features of a diaper bag- and she's super reasonable, pricewise!

We have the Lug Tuk Tuk and it is spectacular. It has tons of compartments and it looks sleek in black. My husband doesn't mind it at all. LOVE.IT.

I use a large purse with a wipe-able pad in it for diaper changes. Works well.

I love Vanessa Boulton's handbags just for this purpose (www.vanessaboulton.com). I have one of them - the chamomile bowler - that is so easy to throw extra diapers & sippy cups into. I've never been a "big purse" girl, but I am loving this. It's roomy and sturdy. Not to mention the designs are so fun inside and out. I love the interior fabric! The bright colors make it easy to find stuff in there. I get compliments on mine all the time.

They look high-end but are not made of leather, so they wipe off easily :) I'm thinking of getting an even roomier one when #2 is born this summer (oh all that stuff you have to tote with an infant!)

You can buy her stuff online or at ShopSCAD if you live in Savannah or Atlanta....

Thanks for all the great suggestions!
I like the idea of adorable Dwell Studio travel case inside of my own bag. Or using an insert to stash all my baby gear so that I'm organized and nothing makes a mess.

For the longest time, I used a women's laptop bag. You can usually find the purse style at Target for about $30. The part that was meant to hold the laptop was set up perfectly to fit my changing pads and diapers. And the other part held my things perfectly. There was even an inside zipper pouch dividing the two areas that was great for wet clothes.

Now that I'm expecting my second, I just bought the Skip Hop Studio tote, and I really love it. It's not light once you fill it up, but it keeps me organized so wonderfully. I love that I don't have to pull out a ton of things in order to get one thing I need. I got it in the pewter dot color and it looks like a purse to me! It was more than I usually spend, but the quality is incredibly good and I expect it will hold up for many years.

My husband and I love, love, love our bag from PB Kids. It looks like a messenger bag but has some nice features, like bottle pockets on the ends and inside compartments to keep things organized. The back of the bag (the long side) has a zipper; that's where I keep my stuff. The fabric is easy to wipe clean, and the solid, neutral colors are great!

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/ultimate-diaper-bags/?pkey=bdiaper-bags

I too grew tired of the messenger-type, utilitarian diaper bag. When I found out I was pregnant with my second my husband bought me the Emily by Storksak and I love it. It is roomy enough for two kid's stuff, has a enough pockets, a diaper changing pad, zippered top, and two insulated pockets. And, most importantly, it is stylish! It wasn't inexpensive, but considering how long I will be using it and how much I like it, it didn't seem too bad. I have been using it for a few months now, and it looks as good as day one.

http://www.storksak.com/home.php?home=home

http://www.queenbee-creations.com/

I bought one of her diaper bags not realizing it was a diaper bag, because its just her messenger bag with better pockets.

My husband carries one of her messenger bags and is jealous of mine. She has several designs that would be good for men.

These ones aren't very formal. But they for sure don't scream baby gear.

I tried carrying my things in a pouch inside the diaper bag for a few months, but realized that was kind of backwards for a working mom. Now there's a pouch of diapers in my bag and I couldn't be happier.

I use a large purse with a zippered divider. My stuff stays on one side (phone, wallet, notebook, sunglasses, iPod, etc) and the babe's stuff goes on the other (2 diapers, wipes, burp cloth, and book). There's plenty of room to drop in small toys and a waterproof pouch with a sippy cup and snacks when we're going out.

My aunt makes chic handbags and diaper bags and sells them here: http://handbagsbyjen.com/ I got one for a friend of mine when she had her first and it was so cute!

I bought this bag at the Seattle Olympic Sculpture park's gift shop a few years back and used it a bunch before I had a baby. I got all into finding "the right diaper bag"and bought a Skip Hop bag and a OiOi bag and just haven't been happy with anything. I went back to this Milano bag a few weeks ago and I really think there is nothing better. My son is 2 and it holds a change of clothes, some toys, diaper things, my enormous wallet, a small bag of essentials for me and I fill the pockets with snacks and tissues and all sorts of things. It obviously fits a ton, and it's CHEAP!

Oops! the link didn't work. Here it is again.
Milano Bag, Vertical Messenger
http://www.milanoseries.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=323&ParentCat=37

Try MZ Wallace! They're cute, have tons of pockets and exteriors are waterproof. Perfect!

This owner of this company is a friend of my cousin's family. They are made from recycled sails, and semi-customizable. The diaper bags are just totes with extra compartments, which make them very "guy" friendly.

Ella Vickers

I just got this and I love it... works for a simple day out as well as a longer trip. I can fit everything I need in it and then some...
http://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/BCBGMAXAZRIA-Nylon-Convertible-Tote-Bag/4678481/product.html

I still need to carry a few items for my little one, have a love for handbags, and need something practical that won't get ruined if a sippy cup spills inside of the bag. (and I don't want anything that looks like a typical diaperbag) Ju-Ju-Be has a new bag that will be out soon, and I am looking forward to trying it out! It's made of a washable "earth leather" material which would suit me well. it has lots of organization- perfect for toting the little ones things and mommys things, and looks like a nice handbag!
http://ju-ju-be.com/ju-ju-blog/?p=672

I'm another fan of the new Orla Kiely bag. I was actually shopping for a new O.K. purse for myself for my non-mom outings when I found it. Yes, it's a little expensive, but for a bag that does double-duty, is easy to clean, and has such a beautiful print, it makes sense. The changing pad is fabulous because it's actually well-cushioned, not just a flat, plastic germ barrier. The only thing I would improve upon is that, unlike most diaper bags, it does not have a bottle/sippy cup pocket on the outside. And we still do have to keep our other (J.J. Cole) diaper bag around for my husband.

I use a storksak -- they have a great unisex bag for dads.

http://www.storksak.com/home.php?home=home

I ordered

http://www.dwellstudio.com/designer-baby-boutique/diaper-bags/charcoal-sullivan-messenger.html

I almost ordered the Orla Kiely diaper bag but then thought that the print was too much. I prefer something a bit more neutral.

Thanks for all the suggestions!
Lauren