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After many seasons of leaning into the structured ladylike bag, suddenly, it appears we’re all ready to soften up a bit. “Chloé’s show kind of single-handedly brought back the boho trend, and with it these slouchy bags of the early 2000s feel right for the moment,” stylist Caitlin Burke says. Chemena Kamali’s first collection for the Parisian brand did, in fact, feel like a vibe shift, ushering in a new era of diaphanous silk chiffon-tinged French bohemia.
The key bag from the collection, a soft leather slouch with gold hardware named the Bracelet borrows inspiration from the 1960s bags favored by hippies in the counterculture era. The word hobo references the bindle bags carried by migrant workers at the turn of the last century, and perhaps the term hobo needs a rebrand—stylist Brie Welch recommends “sling” or “crescent” as an alternative—but the bags themselves look better than ever. Brown suede and burgundy takes feel most relevant for fall, as offered by Gucci, Coach, and Khaite, while black leather is a forever classic option from Liffner and Flattered. If you’re feeling truly boho, Isabel Marant offers light studding on tan suede, while Loewe’s soft leather Squeeze with silver chain detail embodies the more glam side of the shape.
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What does Welch find appealing about the return of an early-aughts icon once made famous by Sienna Miller and Kate Moss? “The functionality!,” she says, “Their shape contours to your body while generally having a wide and zippered opening to allow easy access.” Similarly, Burke is also a fan of the utility of the often-oversized style. “I love a carryall that can fit my laptop and all the things I need for the day, but traditional ‘work bags’ are usually more on the structured side,” she explains. “A hobo style balances a relaxed, casual feel with the functionality of something more serious.”
Beyond Chloé, luxury brands across the board are in on the revival, “The Row is unsurprisingly nailing the style with its Bindle and Blake bags. I also love Khaite’s Lotus tote for a twist on the design, and Bottega’s Hop feels like the ultimate luxe version,” Burke continues. For her own collection, Welch leaned into a more approachable-priced iteration, “I have a more crescent shaped style from Rag & Bone that I use often for its ability to be totally hands-free as a crossbody,” she says. Madewell, Staud, and Reformation also offer great takes on the look.
No matter which you choose or what you call it, this bag isn’t a mere trend, it has staying power embedded in its very design. “Functionality always ends up reigning supreme,” Welch says, “but there is also a simplicity to the bag which I think resonates with wanting to invest in timeless pieces.”
