The Hobo bag has become a "must-have" in recent years. Thanks to its design and size, it's usually the perfect bag to complement a casual and practical yet stylish and elegant look. So today, we'll tell you everything you need to know about this bag, which became the favourite of the year that's just ended and already looks set to remain number one in the new one that's beginning.
The Hobo bag is a crescent-shaped bag attached at each end by a strap that may or may not be adjustable. It’s typically characterised as a large bag made from soft, flexible materials such as leather or suede, which tends to slouch and fold onto itself when worn hanging from the shoulder. This makes it the ideal accessory for adding a relaxed touch to your look, making it very popular for everyday use.
This bag style is called "Hobo"—which means "vagabond" in English—because it resembles the shape of bags carried by cartoon vagabonds, where a crescent-shaped sack is tied at both ends onto the end of a stick.
The word "hobo" originated in American English and was first coined around 1890 from the term "hoe-boy", which meant "farmhand" or as a greeting like "Ho, boy!". The lack of employment during the Great Depression of the 1930s led to a significant increase in the number of people wandering around during the day with nothing to do. Many decided to travel for free by freight trains, hoping to find better fortune elsewhere. They carried their belongings in a piece of cloth used as a bag or sack, which inspired the shape of today's hobo bag.
As the years went by, bags quickly became symbols of status and luxury, leaving behind the "hobo" bag, which fell into obscurity in handbag history. Instead, people opted for embroidered bags lavishly decorated with stones, showcasing sewing skills and wealth. It wasn't until the 1960s, with the rise of the hippie movement, that hobo bags found their way back into fashion, widely used by gypsies during the counterculture period.
It had been some time since the hobo bag was in the spotlight. However, in recent decades, a sudden wave hit the fashion industry, making large bags trendy again. This marked the revival of the relaxed Hobo bag.
At Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2017 show, creative director Karl Lagerfeld introduced the Gabrielle Hobo bag. Gabrielle wasn't just another bag; it was the launch of a complete line by Chanel. It was a design sensation, blending the casual slouchiness of a hobo bag with a structured bottom, creating an exciting new silhouette. To achieve this elegant contrast, the bag featured a rigid thermoformed base, and the body was handcrafted from lightweight, quilted leather.
Other brands quickly embraced the trend. Madewell, Rebecca Minkoff, Bottega Veneta, and Marc Jacobs introduced their own versions of the hobo bag. It wasn't long before celebrities worldwide started incorporating the trendsetting hobo bags into their outfits. Thus, in 2018, it became a favourite bag for many—after all, how many bags can make you look casual yet elegant at the same time?
Hobo bags have evolved elegantly from a simple cloth tied to a stick to a handbag predicted to lead sales in 2024 and become an undisputed favourite. Shapes, materials, and sizes of the hobo bag have evolved from a basic large bag used by travellers to sophisticated pieces in all fabrics, textures, and colours. Yet, the black hobo bag still takes the number one spot. At Monpiel, we've designed the Life model for you—a classic leather Hobo bag with a playful twist that's perfect for daily use, giving your look a sophisticated and modern touch. As always, it's crafted from top-quality leather to last you a lifetime.
