THE SCOUT STORY
20 YEARS OF BIG BAGS
SCOUT is a Washington, DC-based brand known for fashionable, functional, affordable bags that help women of all ages contain, organize, and carry all the stuff they—and their families—need to navigate their busy days and lives.
Twenty years ago, when celebrity stylist and former Vogue editor Deb Waterman Johns—a working mom raising four young kids with husband, Ben—couldn’t find large, sturdy, affordable (cute!) totes to carry all their family’s stuff without getting weighed down... they made them. SCOUT was born.
THE ICONIC
original deano
The bag that started it all remains our #1 best-seller to this day. The all-purpose ‘Deano’ is the bag you didn’t know you needed and can’t live without.
If you could only own one SCOUT bag, this is the one.
AN INSPIRED NAME
When naming the brand, Deb was inspired by one of her heroes: Scout in To Kill A Mockingbird. A smart, fearless little human, Scout displayed enormous strength, ingenuity, and a never-say-die attitude. Deb also had a dachshund named Scout, a breed known for tenacity and intelligence.
Ultimately, SCOUT felt like a strong name with a touch of eccentricity... a perfect fit.
OUR HOME IS
WASHINGTON, DC
A charming, historic neighborhood on the Potomac River in Washington DC, Georgetown is home to SCOUT HQ and our SCOUT Flagship Store. Cobblestone streets lined with modern boutiques and gourmet eateries make for a fun, high-energy vibe.
We’ve designed two exclusive patterns (so far) to celebrate our hometown. Come see us and take home the perfect souvenir!
BY WOMEN,
FOR WOMEN
As a nearly all-female team, we have a deep, first-hand understanding of what our customers need and want, and we design our products accordingly.
Our fun-loving team is smart, talented, and committed to making women’s lives better.
Deb, Ben, and the SCOUT brand prioritize giving back to the local Washington, DC community where we live, work, and can make the biggest difference. Giving back is woven into our DNA.
Big annual local efforts include The Go Bo Fund and Secret Santa program. SCOUT gives back in countless other ways all year long to support local frontline heroes, needy children, struggling families, and more.
THE GO BO FUND
After Deb and Ben’s son Bo was diagnosed with cancer as a child, they created a fundraiser to help other families in similar circumstances.
SECRET SANTA DC
A team of funders and shoppers work together to provide gifts for local kids and make their holiday season a little brighter.
NURSE APPRECIATION DAY
We love surprising our nurses with SCOUT bags to brighten their day. #staybright #stayhealthy
TRACY’S KIDS
Tracy uses Art Therapy to help pediatric cancer patients at Georgetown Hospital cope with the disease and their treatments.
PRETTY UTILITY PRODUCTS
We offer a complete lineup of thoughtfully designed bags, coolers, accessories, and home storage solutions that combine fashion, function, and affordability.
In fact, virtually everything’s under $100, making SCOUT a favorite for gifting.
LIMITED-EDITION PATTERNS
Season after season, loyal customers eagerly await the release of new original, limited-edition patterns reflecting Deb’s bold style (when they’re gone, they’re gone forever). Seasonal patterns are complemented by classic stripes and checks, and our iconic, fast-growing STATEment collection celebrating U.S. destinations.
INDESTRUCTIBLE FABRICS
Our signature All-Weather Woven material has been our #1 fabric for 20 years for a reason.
Tarp-like (but way cuter!), it’s shockingly lightweight yet strong, durable, resilient, and structured for easy packing. It lasts for years, wipes clean, dries fast, and softens over time. Basically, it’s magic!
