Bag help for holiday in carribean with two children

[louby78]

I'm going to the carribean to visit family and need a bag. I want it to cover lots of occassions - be good for the plane so I can fit nappies, wipes, books etc in but be stylish enough to go out for dinner and go with summer dresses and skirts etc. I have got some mulberry bags which I love but I don't fancy taking those. I have had a bag ruined by putting some mini cheeses in a leather bag (still in their wrappers) but they melted in the sun and leaked on the leather!! So with that in mind I am conscious I don't want to be too precious about a bag being covered in sand and potentially suncream

I have got a cath kidston change bag which I could take and then maybe something like www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Accessories/Bags/AM157/Womens-Classic-Satchel.html which I've been hankering after.

Or maybe something like this that can go in the washer!! www.cathkidston.co.uk/p-16628-cath-kidston-british-birds-washed-messenger-bag.aspx

Any suggestions?

I should mention - I favour the crossbody bags as I have a three year old and a one year old so they allow me to hold a hand and have a baby on my hip without having a bag slipping off my shoulder.

I have a similar boden bag from a couple of years ago but don't find it big enough for days out and i have that cath kidston one in the spotty material, i use the cath kidston one on mummy days because you can fit in loads, the strap is very comfy, i was worried that it had no zip closure but as its so deep i put my purse at the bottom with nappies/wipes on top. In the past i've bought a weekend bag from primark but found that made me too wide when carrying and i kept knocking into people.

As for a bag to use in the evening, if you have children with you, you will still need a big bag rather than a clutch type, will you not take a pushchair with you so you can store the bag in the basket? i never ended up using the smaller bags i took on holiday.

The last time we went on holiday i used a black eastpack rucksack at the airport and for days out at the beach, plus dh could also carry it, i didn't own the cath kidston bag then. As you have a long flight will you not need a bigger bag? i always take spare clothes for the children and leggings and a top for myself in case of accidents, they quite often end up spilling things on me or the babies nappy leaking while on my lap. Enjoy your holiday.

Thanks for that, you are right, I will need to have a bag that can carry a lot and thank you so much for the spare clothes tip. I don't usually carry spare clothes for my daughter but she is so clumsy and I can just see her drink or dinner going all over either me or her. I love the leggings for me idea.

I had a look at that spotty bag today and it's gorgeous. I think I may save the red boden one for when I get back as I won't want it to get covered in suncream etc and like you say, yes we will be taking a buggy so I can just put my bag in the bottom of there if we go out to somewhere smart which will be a rarity as apparently very casual place.

Thank you! Sounds like we have similar taste in bags!