In this post, I thought I'd share my love of the gorgeous hobo bag. I'll describe its origin and some simple styling options for a classic black hobo, which I believe is the perfect all-rounder accessory!
WHAT IS A HOBO?
The hobo bag holds its place as a timeless classic in the world of handbags. Renowned for their spacious design, they are distinguished by a crescent shape and relaxed silhouette. This shape means they conform well to the body when carried. Notably spacious, hobos offer ample room for all the daily essentials. They are also characterised by a single strap that is usually adjustable, so the bag can be worn off the shoulder or cross-body for practicality and ease.
RISE OF THE HOBO
The hobo was adopted in the 1960s as part of the hippie movement and later in the 1990s as part of bohemian culture. As a result, they emulate a relaxed, rebellious and carefree vibe which is still apparent in contemporary hobos today.
HOW TO STYLE A SLOUCHY HOBO?
While there are many variations of the hobo, the slouchy hobo is the most iconic. Designed to fold softly in on itself, its vibe can range from casual to rebellious to elegant. It can therefore be styled in numerous ways! To demonstrate, I've styled one of my favourite hobos, the classic black hobo, with 3 simple outfits which I hope show off its versatility.
Look 1: To celebrate its hippie origins, I've styled the black hobo with a simple white flowy dress with some feminine lace detailing. Personally I love the contrast between the edginess of the black hobo against the softness of the dress, as well as the metallic shimmer of gun-metal rivets against the delicacy of the lace. This look is simple, elegant and balanced, and the casual vibe speaks well to what the hobo is all about.
Look 2: This second look pairs the hobo with a grey slub t-shirt to match the grey embroidery on the hobo, and dark grey jean shorts with conspicuous frayed edges. This look is also casual and relaxed, but more actively rebellious in spirit. I could also imagine adding a black baseball cap, or in cooler months, adding dark grey jeans and a chunky cardi. What I like is that despite the size of the bag, the hobo compliments the look without overwhelming it.
Look 3: In this last outfit, I'm channeling a free-and-easy office vibe by half-tucking a crisp white shirt into a pair of tailored black trousers. I like this outfit as it speaks to the bohemian culture that adopted the hobo as its own - that being a way of life beyond the conventional norms and expectations of society. This look could be further jazzed up with a chunky silver or gun-metal necklace, or studded black ankle boots. The idea is to channel the non-conformist, however that looks to you.
THE DENIM HOBO
The great thing about a hobo made from denim is that denim is timeless and will never go out of style. Denim is also soft, unlike a lot of unsustainable faux leather and plastic materials, meaning that the hobo will naturally slouch. Denim that is upcycled from unwanted jeans is also a great choice for the environment. Denim also comes in all hues, so depending on your preferred 'neutral', you can be sure to find a hobo that works for your existing wardrobe. And finally, a denim hobo can be washed whenever it gets dirty, by gently handwashing it in cold water and laundry detergent and left to air dry in the sun. This will not only keep it looking fresh and gorgeous but prolong its life as your classic all-rounder bag.
