Pamper's Designer Diapers...Seriously?

I know everyone has seen the commercial for the Huggies "Jean" diapers right? Or at least have seen these new fashionable butt covers on the shelves sitting next to their less fashionable "Pooh" cousins.  And while that Huggies commercial cracks me up every time I see it, it surely doesn’t make me want to run out and grab a box of these “limited edition” crap catchers.

Then today, I was able to catch a rare 5 minutes of news in the morning and what did I discover? Not the latest update on the Gulf oil disaster, or that despite higher gas prices, Fourth of July travel is expected to increase by 17 percent this year. No what I discovered today was that, not to be outdone by the fashion-forward  Huggies diapers, Pampers is now partnering with fashion designer Cynthia Rowley to produce 11 styles of Pampers diapers including madras and plaid prints.

Seriously?

Yes! In a press release, Procter & Gamble Co. said it's aiming to make disposable diapers fashionable.  And Jodi Allen, a P&G baby care vice president, says in a statement that diaper performance comes first, but parents consider the look important, too.

Really? Who are these parents? Because I know that was about the last thing I was thinking during the latest poop removal session. Yeah, I just can't see myself  thinking" "I really wish these diapers were more stylish" as the little man wiggles and fights the whole process. I can probably venture to guess I was thinking: "Oh god, I hope I don't get this all over my hands again". And then the statement continues to say the "prettier" diapers will be pricier. A pack of about two dozen of the toddler-size diapers will have a suggested retail price of $15.99, about $6 above plainer versions.

In a time when we are all trying to save money and cut costs where we can, who is going to shell out an additional 6 bucks a box just to have some designer madras print on their kids butt? I'm not sure I would pay a premium for an item which will inevitably end up full of shit and in the trash.

Okay, as much as I thought the "Jeans" diapers where funny, I thought these were a "limited edition" thing and would eventually go away.  But is this the latest craze in baby couture? A whole line of “fashion” diapers? And who let’s their kid run around in just a diaper anyway? My kiddo tends to wear actual clothes over his diapers that I have already had to pay a premium for. But at least they will last a few months. And if you do let your kiddo run around in just a diaper it’s probably just around the house, at which point who cares what’s on your kids butt?

I recently switched to Seventh Generation brand since I couldn’t stand the new improved Pampers Dry Max and was so happy to finally have a plain diaper. Granted, it’s the color of a brown paper bag, but it’s character and fashion designer free.

There’s always the other side of the argument that will revolve around underwear and the sole purpose Victoria’s Secret is in business. But until my son is old enough (21) to be showing anyone else his underwear or  society changes its rules and we are allowed to crap our pants, I don’t think that argument holds much merit.

What do you think about these new "fashion" diapers? Has the industry gone to far or am I just not seeing the awesomeness in these?




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