In an age of micro accessories, hobo bags are fighting their corner for oversized silhouettes.
A battle aided by brands such as Coach, Burberry and Bottega Veneta, the championing of slouchy, oversized arm candy as opposed to petite purses that can’t house a phone is finally gaining momentum. Cue a collective sigh of relief.
Hobo bags adopt a sizable crescent shape and often feature Y2K detailing such as buckles, pockets and decorative zips. Unsurprisingly, the designs play seamlessly into the current fixation with Noughties mania, with many a hobo bag flooding social media streams and street-style snaps.
Fashion darlings Dua Lipa, Devon Lee Carson and Elsa Hosk have brought hobo bags to a wider audience via nonchalant paparazzi shots and carefully curated Instagram posts. The style is nothing new, in fact, the celeb-backed bags have been in existence since the 1930s, yet only in the last decade have they really started to take off. We have Gossip Girl’s costume department to thank.
Perhaps because they are uber-spacious or because they carry oodles of Noughties sass, the collapsible designs appear to be here to stay. At the autumn/winter 2024 shows during London Fashion Week, a string of large relaxed shoulder bags took to the runway, orchestrated by luxury fashion houses Dries Van Noten, Ulla Johnson, Paul Costelloe and Homme Plissé Issey Miyake to name a few.
Of course, we need to address the elephant in the room. The name ‘hobo’ bag seems ill-fitting in these rightfully woke times. ‘Hobo’ is an Amercanised reference to the homeless, therefore the name of the accessory carries unsavoury connotations. This has led to some brands and publications rebranding the brand as a ‘slouch’ bag, which incorporates classic ‘hobo’ designs, shoppers and totes.
However, labels like Chloe, Jimmy Choo and Tod’s still use the term ‘hobo bag,’ to distinguish the distinctive crescent designs from their more mainstream handbag counterparts.
Whether you feel more comfortable using the phrase ‘slouch bag’ or sticking to ‘hobo’, there are plenty of covetable, functional options to peruse while the fashion media debates the phraseology.
Upgrade your accessories arsenal with a voluminous number to house your essentials and then some - in the utmost style and slouch-tastic sophistication.
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Coach Soft Calf Leather Tabby Hobo Bag
Crafted from buttery soft leather in a versatile army green hue, Coach’s Tabby Hobo Bag is as classic as they come. The everyday number plays into the hobo style’s quintessential slouch aesthetic, one of the American label’s most popular Y2K silhouettes.
Buy now £382.50, Very
Mango Leather-Effect Bag with Buckle
This chocolate-coated fur ball of a bag is heading straight on our wishlists. Not only is the piece divinely Noughties thanks to its buckle detailing and rich colourway, but its elegant silhouette and silver hardware ooze sophistication. Store your daily essentials inside the tactile bag and allow the compliments to flow in your direction.
Buy now £49.99, Mango
Burberry Knight Small Leather Hobo Bag
Fresh off the runway, the Burberry Knight Small Leather Hobo Bag is one to watch. Flanked in sumptuous faux fur, the horse saddle-shaped piece is a collectable to keep forever. A rich forest green hue makes for easy styling, while a splash of silver hardware brings the edge.
Buy now £2590.00, Matches
Marge Sherwood Mini Hobo Cross Body Bag
Marge Sherwood’s Mini Hobo Cross Body Bag is the ideal mid-range pick for those in need of a smaller silhouette for daily use. A sweet chocolate colourway is elevated by a classic curved silhouette, a vintage-inspired faded finish and a silky smooth grain.
Buy now £257.00, Farfetch
Charles and Keith Anthea Contrast-Trim Curved Hobo Bag
The affordable price tags of Charles and Keith’s daring styles never fail to amaze us. The Anthea is a thoroughly Y2K take on a timeless black design, showcasing white contrast stitching and pocket detailing. Strap yours across your shoulder and perfect your day-to-night style.
Buy now £75.00, Charles and Keith
See By Chloé Joan Leather Mini Hobo Bag
The smallest hobo bag we ever did see, Chloé’s Joan Mini Bag marries the brand’s Western motifs such as fringing and gold hardware with a petite slouch silhouette. Available in a sky blue tone, the crossbody piece will add a pop of colour to any summer or winter look.
Buy now £193.00, Coggles
Arket Curved Leather Bag
Edit your seasonless wardrobe with Arket’s failproof curved leather hobo bag. A sleek ebony silhouette is set to stand the test of time for those who prefer to steer away from the trend cycle.
Buy now £199.00, Arket
Bottega Veneta Gemelli Medium Intrecciato Leather Shoulder Bag
Bottega Veneta’s Gemelli Medium Intrecciato Leather Shoulder Bag is a true statement of quiet luxury. A crescent-shaped pouch which features the brand’s insignia woven detail, the chocolate arm candy can be carried over the shoulder or as a dramatic clutch bag to draw attention.
Buy now £2870.00, Net-A-Porter
Brix+Bailey Olive Green Zip Leather Shoulder Hobo Bag
Support independent brands and shop with Wolf & Badger. This green leather slouch bag is ideal for storing a matter of everyday essentials. Tuck your valuables into the front pocket, hook over your shoulder and head off to the office in sartorial excellence.
Buy now £125.00, Wolf & Badger
Tod’s T Timeless Hobo Bag in Denim and Leather Medium
Denim? Tick. Metallic hardware? Tick. Hobo cut? Tick. Tod’s T Timeless Hobo Bag has all the pillars of an irresistible Y2K handbag. One to be worn for fashion week attendance and stylish business meetings, this dreamy denim and leather piece covers an array of fashionable affairs.
Buy now £1560.00, Tod’s
Stradivarius Oval Shoulder Bag
Choose from four stand-out colourways and inject your accessories collection with a dose of dopamine-inducing pigment. An affordable pick for those on a budget, this faux leather oval bag taps into the ongoing all-red-everything trend that is currently gripping TikTokers and designers alike.
Buy now £19.99, Stradivarius
Reformation Medium Vittoria Tote Bag
Reformation’s subtly feminine bag taps into the never-ending bow brilliance that is dominating the style sphere. A slouchy leather tote (which can technically also pass a hobo), the lavish item features decorative tie detailing, a magnetic closure for added security and a handy inside pocket for keys, cards and everything in between.
Buy now £498.00, Reformation
