The Best Mom Purse (for the mom who wants style AND function)

Let’s be honest—when you become a mom, your purse stops being just your purse. I quickly learned with my first child that a purse turns into a catch-all for snacks, diapers, random tiny toys, tissues, you name it. And while I’ll always love a cute bag (I’m only human), function truly has become the priority in my life as a mom to two boys. The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice style to get a great, functional mom bag. After a couple of years of trying everything—diaper bags, crossbody bags, backpacks, oversized totes—I’ve found my favorites, which I’m sharing with you today.

Whether you’re heading to the park, running errands, or going from the office to be a mystery reader at school and then to soccer practice after that, these are the best bags I’ve used (and still use) as a functional mom who needs things just to make sense.

The Best Mom Purses for the Functional Mom

The very best mom purse I own is a simple tote bag. While most people say backpacks are a must for moms, I’m not really a backpack person and rarely carry one. I love the look and feel of a good tote, so that’s usually what I reach for. But to be fair, there are definitely days when a backpack makes the most sense. When I know I need to be hands-free—like the zoo—I have a couple of backpacks I trust to get the job done (so I shared those below). A good crossbody is also of my most-used bags l since that also allows me go hands-free. Alright, let’s get into my picks!

A Classic Tote

Tote bags are classic, and for good reason. They’re roomy, easy to throw over your shoulder, and versatile enough for everyday use. My personal favorite is the Madewell Handwoven Leather Tote. I own the cream colorway, which you can still find at retailers like Zappos. Madewell now makes this bag in four darker colors, which are great for most outfits. Coffee Bean is probably my favorite of their current options since it’s practically seasonless.

The Handwoven Leather Tote has a soft but structured shape and has plenty of room for a laptop, my boys’ zippered pouches (more on that below), a small makeup bag, and my wallet. It also has an internal zippered pouch for my keys. I’ve had it for a couple of years, and it has held up beautifully. It’s made of leather, super durable, and it’s the one I reach for on most days when I want to feel pulled together and prepared.

Quince also makes a similar bag at a slightly cheaper price (called the Italian Leather Handwoven Tote), if you want to save a few dollars. Read my full review of Quince favorites here. I also own the classic Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote and love that it folds up so you can travel with it.

Honorable Mention: A Zippered Pouch for Your Tote

For larger, open totes like the one above, I have zippered pouches for my kiddo’s things. These act as an organizer without being too organized (I actually think there is such a thing as too many pockets), but they help make my tote even more functional. 

I have one of these zippered pouches from Oso & Me for each boy, with their names embroidered on it. Charles’ pouch always has diapers, a small pack of wipes, an extra paci, and toddler-approved snacks. Depending on our outing, I may throw in a water bottle or an extra change of clothes. In Thomas’, we keep this reusable drawing pad, crayons, and a notebook.

And in both pouches, I keep empty gallon zip-lock bags (they always seem to come in handy for dirty diapers, wet clothes, and random rocks my son wants to keep), these disposable placemats (perfect for restaurants to keep germs away from them and to keep the table a little cleaner) and this misting hand sanitizer (easier with young kids). 

A Cute Crossbody

When I only need the essentials for running errands alone or a quick outing with the boys, a cute crossbody is my go-to. I love the structure and top handle on this Italian Leather Patchwork Crossbody, and I also love the woven look of this Italian Leather Handwoven Crossbody bag. Both have zippered tops, which is essential for keeping track of your wallet, keys, and phone as a busy mom. The straps for both are also adjustable, so you can make sure it hits at a flattering (and functional) spot when you’re wearing it.

While this J. Lowery Mini Raffia Tote isn’t totally mom-friendly, I wanted to include it since I do love to wear it with dressier outfits (see my favorite mom-approved dresses here). Yes, it fits the essentials, and the draw-string top closure is great for keeping everything inside, but since raffia is a more sensitive material, I tend to be more careful when I wear it. It’s also quite pricey, so I consider this an “extra” purse, not my everyday crossbody. I shared a roundup of my favorite straw bags and purses here.

A Functional Backpack

If you’re chasing toddlers or need both hands free, a backpack is a lifesaver (even coming from a non-backpack gal). Look for one with durable, wipeable fabric and plenty of pockets. I want at least two exterior water bottle pockets, one main compartment with lots of organization options, and a hidden zip pocket for valuables. 

I have this Mini Freshly Picked Backpack and it’s great, but I also love a softer one (that’s also lighter weight because it’s not leather) like this Neoprene Dagne Dover Diaper Backpack.

A good mom backpack should also have padded straps and a sleek enough design to wear with jeans and a blazer, or leggings and sneakers. I’ve used my backpack as a diaper bag, a mini travel bag, and even a purse/laptop bag hybrid when I need to squeeze in some work at the coffee shop. If you need a backpack that’s sleek enough for work meetings, this Cuyana backpack is truly stunning.

I always keep mine packed with mini necessities: wipes, hand sanitizer, tissues, a snack bar, and an extra hair tie.

The Oversized Backpack

When you need to carry all the things—think an all-day outing or a flight with kids—an oversized backpack is a must. This is basically the big sibling to the regular backpack, with enough space for a full change of clothes for your kids, diapers, wipes, snacks, toys, and even a small cooler pouch if you need it. What I love about oversized backpacks is that you can stay hands-free while still carrying a ton. Look for one with a wide opening, so you’re not digging through layers of stuff just to find a pacifier. A top flap or magnetic closure can be handy for quick access, but I prefer a full zipper closure to keep everything contained.

Some styles even have a built-in organizer or mini bag inside, which is a game-changer. Many of these bags now come in sleek, modern designs that don’t scream “diaper bag,” even though that’s exactly what they’re doing. While I don’t necessarily love the look of this Boxer Backpack from ShortyLove, it’s incredibly functional for travel days since it has multiple compartments (top, bottom, and back), which means that you don’t have to dig through one big compartment to get to a smaller one. 

I also own the Freshly Picked backpack in the full-size, but I found it too heavy to fly with (and not quite big enough), but it’s a great option for long day trips or car trips. And I’ve been eying the Beis Ultimate Diaper Backpack as well and may snag it before our next trip to Utah this August.

Whether you’re a tote bag girl, a crossbody fan, or a full-on backpack carrier, I promise there’s a bag out there that will fit your lifestyle. My advice? Choose one based on your daily routine. A belt bag (see my comparison of the Lululemon and Amazon belt bag here) or crossbody might be perfect if you mostly do short errands. If you’re juggling multiple kids and need to bring all the things, a structured tote or oversized backpack will definitely serve you well. It’s also worth considering your husband’s needs if he’s taking your kids out for the day. Will he have something to carry the essentials? A neutral backpack might be a good option to consider, if so.

At the end of the day, the best mom bag is the one that works for you. It doesn’t have to be trendy or expensive—but it should make your life easier, not harder. What’s your favorite mom bag right now? Drop your recommendations in the comments—I’m always on the lookout for the next great bag.

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