It's streamlined, sophisticated, and loaded with clever snaps, nooks and niches. Words not usually associated with a diaper bag, but that's exactly what the designers at Petunia Pickle Bottom have on tap for dads this fall.
Rolling out is the company's Scout Collection. Created for urban dads, the Scout group is made of materials like old-world leather and post-modern felt to give them a decided unique and masculine appeal. Available in stores mid-September, two bags will be available in the first collection.
The Journey Pack, made of heathered industrial Felt will retail for $135, and the Rubicon Rucksack made of distressed buffalo leather, will sell for about $235.
"We've had numerous requests for a dad diaper bag over the years," says Korie Conant of Petunia Pickle Bottom. "As with everything we do, in Scout we wanted to create something sophisticated and unique, something different. We worked with a wide range of fathers to figure what would best fit their needs. By blending a variety of materials, pockets and tools, we have created a useful bag that will be functional and extremely appealing for today's dad."
The Rubicon Rucksack is available in 2 color combinations: Black distressed leather with lime water-resistant lining; or Brown distressed leather with orange lining. The Rubicon Rucksack is unique because it features 2 interior linings that snap in and out: 1 diaper bag insert with bottle pockets and compartments for diapering essentials and 1 padded laptop insert with a laptop pocket and large, deep storage pockets. The bag also features an adjustable shoulder strap, a water resistant changing pad with snap in compartment for storage; 3 bottle pockets (two of which snap-off the exterior to convert from diaper bag to laptop bag); 2 large exterior pockets; and the wildly popular Valet Stroller Clips. The bag measures 14 x 16 x 5.5. Shoulder strap measures 42" to 52".
The Journey Pack, in heathered industrial felt, is also offered in 2 color combinations: Heathered Olive Green exterior with contrasting Light Green Heathered interior and lime lining; or Light Heathered Gray exterior / with Chocolate Brown interior and orange lining. The Journey Pack features an adjustable shoulder strap, water resistant changing pad, 3 bottle pockets, two of which snap-off from the exterior of the bag to convert from diaper bag to dads personal bag, 3 large interior pockets, 2 large exterior pockets, cell phone pocket, matching stroller clips. Finished size measures 14 x 16 x 5.5. Shoulder strap measures 42" to 52".
Both the Rubicon Rucksack and the Journey Pack feature numerous designer touches like etched and debossed logos, custom hardware and antique brass Scout-monogrammed wipes case and Valet Stroller Clips and carrying pouch.
Petunia Pickle Bottom is available at upscale stores such as Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Petit Tresor in California; and Belly Dance Maternity in New York and Chicago. The company, founded in 1999 by a trio of young entrepreneurs, is headquartered in Ventura, California. Borrowing the name from childhood (the head designer's father coined the phrase when she was a little one), Petunia Pickle Bottom has become more than a silly sentimental name, it has become the brand all moms want.
When the editors at Parents.com round up their favorite diaper bags, we all should listen. After all, they do have access to virtually everything that's out there, and know a trend to follow when they see one. 
