I'm considering a Neverfull GM Azur to use (with an organizer insert to keep things together and protect the interior from kid gross-ness) as a diaper bag. I have 2 little ones and am pregnant with my third. I'm hoping to get feedback from moms who have gone this route. What do you love about it, what do hate about it? Would you buy it again or go with something different? I obviously plan to use this bag post-diaper bag stage as well and am wondering how the Azur will hold up/wear.
Neverfull GM as diaper/baby bag??
- Thread starter karmagh
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I use my speedy b 30 Azur for this, but my youngest is 3 so I don’t need the same stuff as a baby. It would definitely hold enough but, I got color transfer pretty quickly from a dark t-shirt that I’ve had for a couple of years. It’s not that bad but you will have to be more aware of what you’re wearing which doesn’t really make sense with a diaper bag. Or just not worry about the transfer. It seems somewhat inevitable from what I’ve read on here. I would recommend the DE since it’s all weather and the transfer won’t be an issue. I do love the Azur though.
Azur is the last out of the Mono and DE print to hold up well as it ages. The Azur bag overtime turns yellowish. I have a Speedy 25 and Speedy 30 in Azur and even with minimal usage, I am seeing a shade of yellow on the canvas. I would not recommend an Azur Neverful as a diaper bag. The DE print would be more ideal for that purpose.
I tried this twice and both times it didn’t need work out for me for a few reasons. First, I felt the neverfull got heavy and bulky with all of our things in it. Secondly, I didn’t feel comfortable leaving my neverfull under the stroller and had to carry a mini bag so I could keep my purse if my husband was taking the baby for a change. I instead am using a le pliage for baby stuff and have my Chanel mini inside for my grab and go bag. I have some of my things that don’t fit in the mini in the le pliage but have less anxiety about the le pliage under the stroller, plus they have a zip and are so so lightweight. Also, neverfulls are so so so common where I live- Southern California - that it felt less special to me.
Edit: also, it would sometimes slip down my arm when picking up the baby and because of the nature of canvas being a little more rigid, items would fall out. I haven’t experienced that with “softer” totes, if that makes sense.
Edit: also, it would sometimes slip down my arm when picking up the baby and because of the nature of canvas being a little more rigid, items would fall out. I haven’t experienced that with “softer” totes, if that makes sense.
The Azur is a gorgeous canvas - especially on the Neverfull GM but as a diaper bag I believe it would get dirty as they are typically put under strollers, in the back seats of cars, etc. If you still are looking into a Neverfull GM, I would look at the Damier Ebene or the Monogram. A few things with those bags as I own both.
The Monogram has a slightly thinner canvas than the Ebene making it more "saggy" or "flimsy" (not by much, but enough to make it look differently than the other), and the Monogram has the uncoated vachetta leather which is prone to water spots, uneven patina due to use, etc. This does not change the structural rigidity of the bag over time, it is just cosmetic.
About the Damier Ebene: when it is brand new, the stiff coated leather handles are extremely stiff and may hurt on your shoulder when the bag is loaded up. Over time, this leather will soften and become more useable. The Damier Ebene canvas has seemed to be more durable in my opinion when it comes to scuff marks and other wear and tear. The nicest thing about the Damier Ebene Neverfull is that because the leather is coated, you do not have to worry about an uneven patina or water stains. I've used my DE Neverfull on multiple occasions when it has been raining or snowing - and it still looks the same as the day I bought it.
Hope I could help, and sorry for the essay I just wrote, LOL!
The Monogram has a slightly thinner canvas than the Ebene making it more "saggy" or "flimsy" (not by much, but enough to make it look differently than the other), and the Monogram has the uncoated vachetta leather which is prone to water spots, uneven patina due to use, etc. This does not change the structural rigidity of the bag over time, it is just cosmetic.
About the Damier Ebene: when it is brand new, the stiff coated leather handles are extremely stiff and may hurt on your shoulder when the bag is loaded up. Over time, this leather will soften and become more useable. The Damier Ebene canvas has seemed to be more durable in my opinion when it comes to scuff marks and other wear and tear. The nicest thing about the Damier Ebene Neverfull is that because the leather is coated, you do not have to worry about an uneven patina or water stains. I've used my DE Neverfull on multiple occasions when it has been raining or snowing - and it still looks the same as the day I bought it.
Hope I could help, and sorry for the essay I just wrote, LOL!
Thanks SO much! This is exactly the kind of information I'm looking for. We do not find ourselves using a stroller often and most of the time my bags ride in the front passenger seat, so I think this bag would probably be subject to a little less wear & tear and dirt than your average diaper bag but I'm still debating if the Azur is just a bad idea. I'm torn between investing in the bag I love the most (DA) or the one that will probably be the most practical (DE). We decided to do a test run with a bag I already have to see if we like using a tote with organizer for a diaper bag and so far it seems to be working for us, so I think now I just need to commit to one. We have some time before baby gets here, so I'm going to take advantage of that.
Thanks, again, for all of your insight. It was very helpful!
I'm just going to toss this idea out there, but how about buying the DA NF for yourself and just getting a cheap diaper bag to use while the baby is still, well, a baby? As the kids get older then you will have room in the NF to hold their things and by that time the NF will have been worn in to the point you're less likely to worry about it, but in the meantime it can sit pretty on your shoulder while the cheap diaper bag gets the dirty end of the stick by being shoved under a stroller, containing the offspring equivalent of WW3, etc.
I'm trying to get away from carrying two big bags and was hoping a NF would be able to meet all my needs in one bag. We don't find ourselves using a stroller often and my bags typically ride in the passenger seat, so I do think it would be subject to less of a beating than your typical diaper bag (not to mention that it's so pretty I would probably find myself babying it lol). I do have two other diaper bags and a tote that I'm currently using as a diaper bag to give it a try. I don't love them in form or function, but I suppose I could go back to one of them and just revert to carrying two bags if the NF seems to be getting abused too much.
I think you should get whichever bag makes your heart sing! You keep mentioning Azur so I think you should get it. It doesn't sound like you'll be abusing it too much (throwing it in the stroller, putting it on the floor, etc.) I haven't had any issues with yellowing of the Azur, only darkening patina. I figure I can always get the leather replaced by LV down the road if needed. I never used an LV for a diaper bag but it sounds like you want to get away from a regular diaper bag and carry around just a "classy tote" lol. I say go for it! You can always use pouches or an organizer to keep the interior clean and cinch the sides to keep things from falling out. In my experience, when I went for the more "practical" choice I always ended up getting the one I really wanted in the beginning later on so I spent twice as much money!
As mentioned above I would get a regular diaper bag and a really nice small crossbody for your personal belongings. You can toss it in the diaper bag or wear it crossbody when the diaper bag is left under the stroller or on the stroller without having to worry about it. I tried the NF but it’s not fun watching and holding a baby and worrying about my bag while at the park and it definitely wasn’t fun when it fell over and everything spilled out while holding the baby and trying to pick everything up which happened a couple of times. If you have your heart set on an LV item they have a lot of really nice crossbody bags now - when my daughter was little I used the Odeon and a messenger style regular diaper bag that I hung across the handles of the stroller.
I think you should get whichever bag makes your heart sing! You keep mentioning Azur so I think you should get it. It doesn't sound like you'll be abusing it too much (throwing it in the stroller, putting it on the floor, etc.) I haven't had any issues with yellowing of the Azur, only darkening patina. I figure I can always get the leather replaced by LV down the road if needed. I never used an LV for a diaper bag but it sounds like you want to get away from a regular diaper bag and carry around just a "classy tote" lol. I say go for it! You can always use pouches or an organizer to keep the interior clean and cinch the sides to keep things from falling out. In my experience, when I went for the more "practical" choice I always ended up getting the one I really wanted in the beginning later on so I spent twice as much money!
HA! I'm definitely starting to lean in this direction. You got it. I'm looking for one beautiful bag to serve all my day to day needs while still "making my heart sing"
My plan was to use an organizer and pouches to protect the interior and keep everything tidy so you're seeing my vision. I'm with you, I don't know how many times I've ended up either buying twice or pining over something because I didn't go with the one I really wanted. Glad to hear some additional feedback on discoloration, too. Is your Azur a bag that you use often?
I agree with all the advice the moms gave here. Neverfull gm can get really heavy with all the baby gears in them. The straps starts to dig in to you shoulder after a while and it hurts. I would really consider a smaller bag for you and a diaper bag for the kids. But if your heart is really set on the neverfull, get the mm version so you don’t over stuff your bag. What I like about the neverfull now is that it comes with a pochette so you can put what the mom needs in the pochette and the main compartment can be used for the kids gear. I do see a lot of moms carrying the mm here in LA.
