As a parent of three young kids, I‘ve tried my fair share of diaper bags over the years. I‘m always on the hunt for something stylish yet functional to tote around all the essentials. When I first came across Fawn Design diaper bags, I was intrigued. With their minimalist style and faux leather materials, they seemed to bridge the gap between fashion and function.
However, the more I researched, the more mixed reviews I found. Some parents raved about the looks while others complained about lacking features. I decided to dig deeper and provide a thorough, critical review of Fawn Design diaper bags. As a discerning parent myself, I analyze both the pros and cons so you can determine if they live up to the hype.
An In-Depth Overview of Fawn Design
Fawn Design launched in 2014, founded by designer Jenny Wecker. As a new mom struggling to find a chic diaper bag herself, Jenny set out to create something suitable for fashionable parents.
The bags feature stylish silhouettes with premium faux leather, shiny gold hardware, and versatile straps. They riff off typical handbags rather than bulky nappy sacks.
The brand has earned praise in publications like Forbes and People for their combination of good looks and functionality. They‘ve also amassed over 300k Instagram followers.
However, Fawn Design diaper bags aren‘t without their controversies. Let‘s analyze the pros and cons.
The Pros
- Visually appealing, purse-like styling
- Thick, comfortable straps and handles
- Several interior and exterior pockets
- Free shipping over $50 in the US
- 90-day limited warranty
The Cons
- Only fits one baby‘s items
- Non-stretchy interior lining
- Heavier than competitors
- Pricier than more spacious alternatives
Now that we‘ve covered the basics, let‘s take a deeper look at the most popular Fawn Design diaper bag models.
Fawn Design Original Diaper Bag
The Fawn Design Original Bag (also called the Backpack) is one of their signature pieces. It features a half-moon shaped zipper top and both backpack straps and a removable messenger strap.
With six interior and exterior pockets, it offers ample organization. The wide open top also makes it easy to see and access contents. It clocks in at a spacious 13” x 15” x 8”.
However, since the interior is lined in faux leather, the pockets lack stretch. Several parents complain items like bottles and sippy cups feel tight and difficult to fit.
It‘s also on the heavy side at nearly 3 lbs empty. Add baby supplies and you have quite a load to carry. Still, the neutral color options fit seamlessly into mom and dad‘s wardrobes.
Available colors: Black, Blush, Brown, Plaid
Price: $136-$170
Fawn Design Mini Diaper Bag
As the name suggests, the Fawn Design Mini offers a more compact take on the original. It shrinks down to 10” x 11” x 5” but still packs in all the key features. With both messenger and backpack carry options, you can conveniently haul it around.
Despite the portable size, customers report it fits a good amount of necessities. It features the same faux leather, gold tone hardware and multiple pockets as the OG bag. The half-moon zip top makes items easy to access too.
On the downside, it shares the weight and tight interior pockets issue. Especially if you have more than one child, you may find it too small. But for quick trips out and about with baby in tow, it gets the job done in style.
Available colors: Black, Blush, Brown, Plaid
Price: $76-$95
Fawn Design Changing Clutch
Sometimes you don‘t need to carry all the extras. For quick outings, Fawn Design offers the Changing Clutch. It includes a portable changing pad and wipes case to facilitate diaper changes on the go.
Despite the compact size, you still get useful features like card slots and a wristlet strap. There‘s enough room for essentials like diapers, wipes, cards, cash, phone, and keys. The wipe-clean faux leather also makes spills and messes no big deal.
Just take note this isn‘t a full-on diaper bag replacement. You can‘t haul multiple changes of clothes, bottles, toys, etc. But for a stylish minimalist option, it fits the bill.
Available colors: Black, Blush, Brown, Gray
Price: $40
Additional Fawn Design Offerings
Beyond diaper bags, Fawn Design creates complementary accessories like:
- Phone Bag – A compact wristlet for phone, cash, cards, and other daily essentials
- Stroller Hooks – Clips your diaper bag onto the stroller for hands-free transport
- Paci Pod Pacifier Case – Perfectly sized zip pouch to store two binkies
They offer sleek matching accessories to organize life with little ones. The brand keeps growing too, so expect even more offerings in the future.
Next let‘s compare Fawn Design to some rival diaper bag brands on the market.
How Fawn Design Compares to Other Popular Diaper Bag Brands
Fawn Design occupies an interesting niche between form and function. The minimalist style stands apart from utilitarian diaper bags without veering into impractical territory.
Still, savvy parents can‘t help but compare features and value to other top brands like Jujube, Pacapod, Petunia Pickle Bottom, Beis and more. Here‘s an overview of how Fawn Design stacks up:
JuJuBe – Known for their structured shapes, juvenile prints, and variety of organizer compartments. More functional than fashionable but lots of handy built-in features.
Pacapod – Emphasizes lightweight, eco-conscious materials and convertible styles. Check out the 3-in-1 Diaper Bag Backpack. Roomy with lots of pockets.
Beis – Also uses stylish faux leather in muted color ways. A bit more affordable but their bags prioritize laptop sleeves and travel necessities over baby gear storage.
Petunia Pickle Bottom – Offers intricate prints and luxurious textures like embossed faux leather. Great quality with attractive silhouettes but very pricey.
The cool, minimalist look of Fawn Design provides decent utility but trails behind the most functional diaper bags. However, their style and quality comes close to premium designer brands without the outrageous price tags.
They strike a nice balance for parents who want something polished yet practical. Let‘s see what fellow moms and dads think in their own words.
Fawn Design Diaper Bag Reviews: Real Parent Perspectives
Scouring reviews from unbiased everyday parents reveals plenty about what it‘s like to use these bags IRL. Here‘s a compilation of testimonials from around the web:
"I wanted to love this bag because it‘s gorgeous but I just can‘t get past how HEAVY it is! Even if I don‘t overstuff it, my shoulder hurts after wearing it for barely 30 minutes.”
“This bag looks super sleek and stylish but doesn‘t hold much. I have a toddler and an infant and can JUST squeeze in the necessities for our outings.”
"As a new mom I thought this was so chic. But it‘s already fraying at the seams after only 8 months of light use. Disappointed for the high price tag.”
“LOVE the neutral colors and convertible straps! As a dad I need something inconspicuous that doesn‘t scream ‘Diaper Bag.‘ This gives off a cool backpack vibe.”
“I downsized from a huge ugly utilitarian diaper bag to this. It forces me to pare down but still holds all baby‘s essentials.”
“Beautiful bag and seems durable but very little give to the interior. I can just squeeze in 3-4 diapers, small pack of wipes, change of clothes and that‘s about it!”
The looks receive unanimous praise but mixed utility reviews persist. Concerns run the gamut from lack of capacity to issues with durability. Clearly, Fawn Design bags make alluring accessories but might still disappoint needs-focused parents.
If the above cons have you hesitating, don‘t fret. Next we‘ll explore some suitable alternatives.
Great Fawn Design Alternatives to Consider
Just because Fawn Design misses the mark for you doesn‘t mean stylish diaper bags don‘t exist. Plenty of brands fuse fashion and function in their offerings. Before you default to a boring basic bag, explore options like:
JuJuBe Be Right Back Bag – Chic black leather-look exterior with vibrant lining. Better structure, straps, and storage than Fawn Design.
HapTim Multi-Function Large Diaper Bag – Budget-friendly backpack with stroller straps, changing pad, and insulated bottle pockets. Way lighter than Fawn Design too!
Itzy Ritzy Boss Backpack – Converts from backpack to shoulder bag for versatility. Features a USB charging port and well-organized interior pockets. Sleek faux leather looks for less.
Freshly Picked Iconic Diaper Bag – The Rolls Royce of leather diaper bags with luxury price tag to match! Buttery soft genuine leather, pretty hues, multiple toting options.
Luckily the diaper bag market overflows with options for discerning moms and dads. Whether you want leather luxury, sporty backpacks, vibrant patterns or minimalist shapes, alternatives exist!
Final Verdict: Is Fawn Design Worth the Investment?
There‘s no denying Fawn Design diaper bags boast enviable good looks. For parents craving style along with substance, they offer tempting appeal. Durable faux leather, polished hardware and neutral hues check the aesthetic boxes.
However, the overall utility proves lacking according to many moms and dads. Limited interior capacity, tight hard-to-access pockets, heavy materials, quality control issues, and big price tags dim the delight.
So should you buy Fawn Design?
If style outweighs functionality…yes! Their modern, minimalist vibe sets them apart.
If you crave hardcore utility…no. Numerous brands offer better value and features.
At the end of the day, choosing the perfect diaper bag depends on your personal priorities and needs. There‘s no universally ideal option for all parents.
Hopefully this thorough and critical review provides ample info to determine if Fawn Design aligns with your family‘s wants and needs!
To recap key points:
Biggest Pros
- Trendy, purse-like styling
- Premium quality faux leather
- Multiple straps and carrying options
Biggest Cons
- Expensive for what you get
- Very heavy, even when empty
- Small interior capacity
Review the pros, cons and comparisons above to decide if Fawn Design delivers enough wow-factor to justify the cost. Just because a bag looks gorgeous doesn‘t mean it works gorgeously!
