Trend cycles are nothing if not predictable, so it was inevitable that hobo bags, the bag of the 2000s boho set (think Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, the Olsen sisters, etc.), are back — and more stylish than ever, with modern silhouettes, but still featuring that iconic slouchiness that we all know and love.
Thanks to the fashion design house Chloé, which brought around last year's boho revival, the slouchy, roomy bag is back on our radar, seen in spring runway shows for designers from Bottega Veneta to Dior to Hermès and Fendi. The cat is out of the (slouchy) bag — we can't get enough of the unfussy accessory.
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But the ‘hobo bag' really laid its foundations back in the ‘90s and early 2000s, when all of the best-dressed women of the time (and more) popularised the silhouette as part of the boho chic trend. Look back even further, and you’ll find the bag cropping up all the way back to the 1960s, an ally of the hippie movement and adorned with tassels.
At the time, those who rejected established institutions showed their resistance by wearing clothing that countered the buttoned-up norm of the day. As a rebellion to Western capitalist life, the style heavily borrowed from indigenous communities and cultures: from the poncho of the Americas, to the embroidery techniques of South Asia. The Asian influence in particular was in large part owed to the “hippie trail”: a journey undertaken in the 50s, 60s and 70s by Western beatniks and hippies through countries including Afghanistan, Nepal and India. The trend came back into fashion in the noughties thanks to celebs like Sienna Miller, who managed to make denim vests and cowboy boots the most covetable items of the decade.
In 2026, the bag has entered a new era, with new shapes and colours that bring a modern feel. So, what is the new ‘hobo bag'? Words like "flexible", "capacious", "simple" still apply, but the truth is that they have been elevated. Just take the recent bag from Chanel, the 22, which is decorated with thick chains and its iconic quilted fabric. Then there's the Le 5 à 7 Supple from Saint Laurent. In other words, the hobo bag is still the same functional, versatile and fashionable bag it was before, but with a new touch of elegance and sophistication.
The silhouette is simple. The key to the ‘hobo bag’ is that it is never a rigid bag. Rather, it's a soft and mouldable bag, making it expandable and functional. Its silhouette is loose and elongated, always with a rounded shape and a long handle.
And its versatility goes even further:
- It can look just as great with jeans and a tee, as dressed up with more formal dresses and classic coats
- Thanks to the wide space between its handle and its body, it's ideal for wearing with even the bulkiest layers in your wardrobe
- It's the perfect ally to relax more structured outfits
- But it can also serve as a worthy partner to all your flowing dresses
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In a nutshell, it's easy to see why the ‘hobo bag’ keeps on coming back around. Sought after for its practical spirit and style, for that ability to carry everything we need (and often, what we don't) and its adaptability and versatility.
For spring, we're loving tried and tested shades that lean into that boho vibe — tan, black and suede textures all look fantastic. For 2026, the slouchy bag also takes on vibrant new shades — pops of zesty orange and bold fuchsia pink. The possibilities are endless.
A version of this article originally appeared on Glamour (Spain).
