Moms Find Denim Diapers Absorbing (But Not So Practical)

(May 24) -- As clothing goes, diapers are more utilitarian than stylish -- even those that feature popular cartoon characters on the heinie.

But Kimberly-Clark, maker of the Huggies brand of diapers, hopes to turn diapers into high fashion with a new limited-edition brand of denim-inspired diapers.

Huggies Little Movers Jeans Diapers will be available in stores nationwide for two months, and the target market seems to be parents who believe that their kids' diapers should look good as well as stop the flow of urine into cars, clothes and Grandma's antique furniture.

The diapers have already been introduced to 20 other countries including Mexico, South Korea and Russia, where the locals used to pay tourists hundreds of dollars for Levi's jeans just 25 years ago.

Naturally, Huggies spokesman Stuart Schneider thinks this is a whiz of an idea.

"Jeans have always been a Mommy fashion must-have, but now it's time for their little ones to steal the style," Schneider said.

But some mothers aren't so sure about that, including Christine Fox, whose 16-month-old son is just the right age to be what wags are already calling a "denim dripper."

"I'm all for a more stylish approach to diapers," Fox said. "But I don't know how practical a denim diaper is. Anyone who's been to a water park in jeans knows that denim chafes when it gets wet."

Schneider insists the new diapers have the same "proven leakage protection" of the regular (and presumably less stylish) Huggies.

As a result, Fox is keeping an open mind about the diapers and likes the idea of issuing certain styles based on the season.

"I would like to see plaid and herringbone diapers sold during the winter, and linen diapers would be great for summer because it breathes," she said.

Josie Maurer doesn't claim to be a fashion expert, but this mother of four (including a 19-month-old) says she was tempted to buy the diapers recently but changed her mind.

"I almost bought the 'cool' denim diapers last week, but then I noticed an open package nearby," she said. "Glad I did. They have sparkly specs on them like glitter. That totally turned me off to buying them. I don't think glitter on diapers is a smart move. What if it causes irritation? I hope Huggies thought that through all the way."

A Huggies representative says the diapers do not have glitter at all.

Fashion blogger Dana Williams-Johnson doesn't have kids, but as a godparent, she admits to buying "the silly things that only godparents buy" -- and that includes things like denim diapers.

"I'm on the fence about this," Williams-Johnson said. "I see someone wanting them and thinking they're cute -- especially if the parents are hipsters.

"However, they make baby jeans, so I'm wondering, do they have to do diapers as well?"

Although style is supposed to be a selling point, she isn't sure the diapers are.

"I don't know if I want denim sticking through a onesie," Williams-Johnson said.

But some mommy-oriented fashionistas like Michele Devon Krantzow, who designs children's bedrooms, are hugging the denim Huggies close to their hearts.

"It's about time that the plain white or kiddie-designed diaper gets a makeover," Krantzow said. "Nearly every other purely functional item in the baby industry has been redesigned -- from the high chair to the baby bathtub. Chic diaper covers have been on the market for several years now, so it's nice to finally see the big brands catching up with ways the design winds are blowing."

Krantzow admits that if the new diapers were anything but denim, she might feel blue. "However, denim has always been and remains a look that crosses style boundaries. Finally, your chic baby can match your Chanel denim diaper bag!"