Honestly, as a mom with young kids who still has to carry a diaper bag occasionally, I think it looks great. I would love that it can squish up, the straps look plenty long to manuevor it toward the back while wrangling kids, it looks like it has several outside pockets that are easy to access, and it appears to be a good size. The contrasting thread doesn't look like it stands out nearly as much as you seem to think it does and I bet she will love it!