The words “diaper bag” always conjure up visions of shlumpy, cheap nylon totes stained with strained sweet potato — or, on the other hand, swanky Gucci satchels hoisted by BevHills moms with nannies in tow.

Which is why I was pleased as punch to find a stylish middle ground in Rebecca Minkoff‘s chic baby bags. The oversized totes are big enough to stash all the pacifiers, wipes, etc., you need for a day out — but not so enormous that they could be mistaken for actual luggage.

I picked up the punky leopard-print ‘Zipper’ bag, $395, for a song at Confederacy‘s Rebecca Minkoff sample sale this weekend (I would have tweeted it, but it was the very last one on the table — promise!), but I also love the more subdued ‘Knocked Up’ all-leather bag, which is a bit more pricey ($495), but seems like a “forever” bag — one you might still use when you’re yelling at your teenager to take out the trash.

Photo: From left, Rebecca Minkoff’s ‘Knocked Up’ bag, $495; and ‘Zipper’ baby bag, $395. Courtesy of Rebecca Minkoff.