Hobo Handbags
From LoveToKnow Handbags
What Are Hobo Handbags, Anyway?
Hobo handbags are one of the most popular contemporary handbag styles. These versatile bags are easy to carry, store your things, and modern versions often have exterior pockets or other organizational accents.
Hobo handbags are a style of handbag characterized primarily by their crescent-like shape. Typical hobo style bags have long shoulder straps and flexible fabrics that give the bag a slouchy look.
Then and Now
Hobo handbags have been around for hundreds of years. The name itself is derived from the cloth bundle vagrant wanderers, otherwise known as tramps or hobos, tied their belongings in and often attached to a stick for transport.
Despite the origin of the name, carrying a hobo bag today is anything but trampish. They have a decidedly firm place in fashion, from fun and flirty mini hobos, to business appropriate, structured bags, to sleek designer styles.
Choosing Your Hobo Bag
Size
Mini, small, mid-size, large, and oversize hobos are all seen in the ever-expanding handbag market. Small hobos are great for more petite figures and for warmer weather. Larger hobos look more proportionate with larger women and can offset bulky winter coats and outerwear.
Style
Hobo handbags are available in a phenomenal range of design and colors. Materials range from casual denims and pebbled leathers to glitzy evening bags.
Although the basic hobo is a slouchy shoulder bag, there are hundreds of variations on the basic design. Some of the hobo handbags styles you'll find include:
- Structured styles
- Short and adjustable shoulder strap bags
- Zip tops
- Drawstring hobos
- The skinny hobo, like this Rosetti
- Shirred and corseted looks
- Squared hobos
- Hobo clutches
- Vintage hobo styles
- Flap style hobos
- Chain handle hobos
- Hobo saddle style bags
- Platform bottom bags
- Quilted styles
- Belted bags, like this Kathy Van Zeeland
- Rolled hobos
- Banana styles
- Bucket hobos
Most hobo handbags offer ample room, but rolled and wide styles may offer even more space to stash. If you like clean, crisp look, a more structured hobo bag, like a leather or croco Dooney and Bourke hobo might suit you. For something ultra feminine, look for a vintage ruffled hobo or a ruched style hobo bag.
Material
The crescent style shape of hobo handbags make them a perfect fit for many types of materials. In addition to leather, quilted material, and croc, you'll see:
- Nappa leather
- Synthetic leather
- Corduroy
- Velvet
- Sequined bags
- Nylon
- Cotton
- Denim
- Suede
- Laminated Canvas
- Vinyl coated canvas
- Bubble rubber
- Tapestry
- Woven mesh
- Satin
- Python
- Jacquard fabric
- Woven straw
- Faux fur
Bag Details
Details do make the bag. When it comes to hobos, you'll find everything flirty floral accents and delicate ribbon tie bags to rock style metal grommets and thorn and rose print screens.
Look for accents that fit your personality and clothing styles.
Prices, Brands, and Shopping Info.
Prices for hobo handbags, as with most handbags, have a wide range of prices. Virtually any department or accessories store will have hobo style bags available due to their continuing popularity.
Wal-Mart has a good selection of hobo bags for the budget conscious; most priced twenty dollars of less. Overstock.com is good site for hobos, and the prices range from under twenty to several hundred dollars to fit your budget and style.
For designer names, the Marc Jacobs chain handle, quilted "Stam" hobo is a popular bag at a price tag of around $1200. The Chloe Paddington hobo is another hot hobo style at $1500.
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