The Hobo bag has become a "must-have" in recent years. Thanks to its design and size, it's often the perfect bag to complement a casual and practical yet stylish and elegant look. Today, we'll tell you everything you need to know about this bag that has become the favorite of the year that's just ended, and it already seems set to continue being number one in this new year.
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 characterized as a large bag made from soft, flexible materials like leather or suede, which tends to slouch and fold over itself when worn hanging from the shoulder. This makes it the ultimate accessory to add 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 bags carried by cartoon vagabonds—crescent-shaped sacks tied at both ends of a stick.
The word "hobo" originated in American English, first coined around 1890 from the term "hoe-boy," meaning "farmhand," or used as a greeting like "Ho, boy!" The lack of employment during the Great Depression in the 1930s led to a significant increase in people wandering during the day with nothing to do. Many chose to travel for free on freight trains, seeking better luck elsewhere. They carried their belongings in a piece of cloth used as a bag or sack, inspiring the shape of today's hobo bag.
As the years went by, bags quickly became symbols of status and luxury, leaving behind the humble "hobo" bag, which was forgotten in handbag history. Instead, people favored embroidered bags heavily adorned with gems to showcase sewing skills and wealth. It wasn't until the hippie movement of the 1960s that hobo bags found their way back into fashion, widely embraced by gypsies during this counterculture period.
It had been a while since the hobo bag was in the spotlight. However, in recent decades, a sudden wave hit the fashion industry, with large bags becoming trendy again. This marked the revival of the laid-back Hobo bag.
In 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 an entire Chanel line. The design was sensational, blending the casual slouch of a hobo bag with a structured base, resulting in a fresh, exciting silhouette. To achieve this elegant contrast, the bag featured a rigid thermoformed base, while the body was handcrafted from lightweight, quilted leather.
Other brands quickly embraced the new trend. Madewell, Rebecca Minkoff, Bottega Veneta, and Marc Jacobs all presented their interpretations of the hobo bag. It wasn't long before celebrities worldwide incorporated these trendsetting bags into their wardrobes. Thus, in 2018, the hobo bag became a favorite of many. After all, how many bags can effortlessly give you both an informal and elegant look at once?
Hobo bags have elegantly evolved from simple cloth sacks tied to sticks into stylish accessories predicted to dominate sales in 2024, becoming an undisputed favorite. The shapes, materials, and sizes of hobo bags have transformed from basic, large bags used by wanderers to sophisticated pieces available in numerous fabrics, textures, and colors. Yet, the black hobo bag continues to hold the top spot. At Monpiel, we've designed the Life model for you—a classic leather Hobo bag with a playful twist, ideal for daily use, adding sophistication and modernity to your look. As always, it's crafted from the highest quality leather to ensure it lasts a lifetime.
