Serena & Lily Prague Gypsy Tote Review

There are a few things that I really look forward to getting in the mail. An actual letter  (remember those?) written by a dear friend, holiday cards, and a new Serena & Lily Catalog. I love getting a cup of coffee, sitting down and just dreaming about all the redecorating I could do if I won the lottery tomorrow! I had my daughter’s big girl bedding picked out before she was even born! (Though of course it isn’t available now. sigh…) So when I found out I would be reviewing the Gypsy Tote, after oogling it for months, I was beyond excited.

About Serena & Lily

It all began one serendipitous day in October 2003. Serena Dugan, a textile designer and artist, meets Lily Kanter, a corporate refugee turned baby boutique owner. Perhaps it was our differences that brought us together… or maybe it was our striking similarities despite these differences. Our skills are opposite in that advantageous, yin-yang kind of way, yet we’re both Type-A people who love to get things done.
But what really made sparks fly that day was our shared aesthetic and vision of the baby’s room reinvented. We both dreamed of children’s spaces that are fresh and style-driven, with dynamic color and pattern and a unique blend of simplicity and sophistication. And so we set out to create just that.

The Gypsy Tote Unveiled

The one-bag-holds-all solution for the one-mom-does-all lifestyle, our gorgeous Gypsy Tote was created by (and for) Serena when she couldn’t find the perfect “un”diaper bag. It’s got a pocket for everything. It hangs perfectly over a stroller handle. It scrunches up to fit inside another bag. It’s machine washable and wipeable. But best of all, it’s modular design means it’s only a diaper bag when you want it to be, so it looks amazing through the bottle-and-binky years and beyond.

Our original Prague style is made from beautiful flax linen with hand embroidery and rich leather detailing. Wear it alone or add the coordinating accessories––a chic diaper clutch and changing pad––to transform your tote into the perfect diaper bag.

My Experience

I really have always loved this bag.  So much so that you may remember, we featured it in the Baby Shopping Guide a few months ago.  When it arrived I was even more impressed with it in person. Let’s face it, I was a bit giddy with excitement.  The outside of the bag is a beautiful linen, with hand embroidery.  I received the Flax color that has subtle white embroidery, but other colors are more vibrant. The inside is a wipe able, durable nylon.  Melding together the perfect balance of style and functionality.

It was a bit larger than I had anticipated, but in a compact way, if that makes sense. It has space to use if you need it, but doesn’t appear bulky or cumbersome.  It is a perfect bag to transition depending on what you need it to do. Need it to be a true diaper bag? Add the changing pad and you are set to go. If you are in that stage of mommyhood like me where a diaper change out and about is pretty rare, then you probably don’t need to add the changing pad to your purchase.

Another aspect of this bag that is sure to win your heart are the many different pockets and compartments to keep bottles, sippys, pacifiers, cells phones, etc. all organized and in their place. I worried that this bag might be a little too big and become a bottomless pit of “stuff” I really don’t need to lug around. I actually got a fairly small diaper bag when my daughter was born just to ensure I couldn’t lug around everything but the kitchen sink.  However because the pockets are all very well designed, I don’t see over-packing becoming an issue.

The other unique feature of this bag is the adjustable shoulder strap.  It remains long enough to be thrown over your shoulder or across your chest messenger-style without having to really change a thing.  This comes in handy when you never know how many kids you may be holding, or hands you are holding across a parking lot. I am sure a lot of you  know that super annoying feeling of holding your toddlers hand, baby in arms, and your bag slips of your shoulder and is dangling awkwardly at your elbow and you can’t do a thing about it. Well, I have yet to have this happen with the Gypsy tote! Reason enough to purchase it!

I found this guide to be very helpful with information about this fabulous bag.  And look who has been spotted out and about with the Gypsy? Miss Jessica Alba and baby Honor.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… I love that this bag is so adaptable and changes with you as your baby grows. Like the description says, it is the “un” diaper, diaper bag!  There are so many different patterns to choose from, you are sure to find one that fits your style.

Or Not to Buy… The price might be a little out of your price range, but for the amount of use you will get out of it, it is certainly worth the holiday splurge!  I do wish that it did have an internal zipper to zip the top fully closed.  I like having that option on a bag. Though, let’s be honest, I rarely actually use it.

Shop! Visit Serena & Lily and take a look at the different Gypsy Tote styles.  Right now they are offering free shipping for orders over $75 dollars! The Prague Gypsy Tote retails for $175.00 and is available on Amazon.  The Deluxe Gypsy Tote is available for $250.00, and includes the changing pad and matching clutch (also available on Amazon).

Disclosure: Thanks to Serena & Lily for providing a sample product for the purpose of this review.  Opinions here are my own and uninfluenced by receipt of product.