Hobo bags most probably and unromantically derived its name from the bags travelling hobo's might have slung over their shoulders which contained all of their worldly possessions. For the last fifty years or so the hobo bag has become more and more popular as fashions started to favour a more relaxed style, probably in line with the popularity of wearing demin jeans as a fashion garment. In fact it represents the defining feature of casual fashion.

The hobo is defined as a slouchy shoulder bag that is made from a soft material such as a supple leather or canvas that will by its very nature lose some of its shape when placed down on a surface. Larger hobos are often crescent shaped and small hobos tend to be a half moon shape. 

Of course, the optimum material for a hobo bag is leather. Usually cow leather is used but calf leather is the most desirable as the leather is very soft as well as hard wearing. Leather is such a great material to use as it's very pliable, durable and indeed waterproof. The other advantage is that it often improves with age especially if it has been tanned with vegetable dyes. 

Today the hobo bag is probably the most popular style of bag and that is reflected in the choice of designs available on the market. I don't think you would be surprised to hear that one of our best sellers is the Pratesi Italian Aged Leather Bucket Hobo Handbag. This is a beautiful bag that has an aged finish which is unique to Pratesi and is available in a variety of colours. This is closely followed by the Carbotti Designer Italian Leather Hobo Handbag which again is available in different colours and options to the leather finish such as grained or frenzy. Interestingly both these bags use a slightly stiffer leather than some others which possibly adds to its flexibility as an all in one bag, allowing them to be used with a more formal outfit. 

For a truly stylish look, you may want to consider a woven leather hobo bag. This style was pioneered by Bottega Veneta who make high quality fabulous bags but they do come at a price. Obviously to make a woven leather bag is very labour intensive and as such is always going to command a good price but a more realistic option is available from the Italian artisan brand Paolo Masi who are based in Florence, Italy. These hobo bags have a slightly more relaxed style as the bags are hand washed in barrels giving them this unique look, Paolo Masi Hand Woven Washed Italian Leather Hobo Bucket Bag is a good example.

For a very relaxed look when you're say doing a bit of shopping on a Saturday afternoon or a lunchtime drink with friends, there are plenty of options such as the Arcadia Maglia Printed Leather Hobo Bag or the ever popular Carbotti Italian Leather Tassel Hobo Bag. Of course leather isn't the only option Bonfanti who are based in Milan have teamed up with Harris Tweed to produce very eye-catching range with a choice of tweed the most popular being the Bonfanti Leather and Harris Tweed Hobo Shoulder Bag in the Scot pattern.

Overall a hobo bag makes good sense as a great all rounder. Its very fashionable, very stylish and very functional. In the same way that denim jeans are a smart fashion item that can be acceptable in a formal environment as well as a casual one, this equally applies to hobo handbags. So whether you're looking for a casual bag to add to your collection or if you just need a good everyday all round bag, the hobo bag is the perfect choice.