The hobo bag is back! Yes, I am serious! I know, I know, for the past few years I have been telling you that hobo bags are coming back; but seriously, they are finally here! This is an important handbag trend for 2021, and well into the next few years.
Hobo bags slowly began to re-emerge as a handbag trend a few years ago when designers began to take inspiration from the 1990s. Everyone in the 1990s owned a black hobo bag; big or small. As the new millennium came in, hobos bags continued for a few more years, even presenting themselves as extremely oversized. Watch out for that on the runways in the next couple seasons. But I digress. . .
Last year, we started with the Coach Swinger, a classic from the 1990s, and the new Prada Cleo. These structured hobo bags offered a retro vibe, and took us back to the end of the grunge era when minimalism was king, and hobo bags rested upon our shoulders.
Fast forward to 2021, and designers are giving us classic and chic renditions of the hobo bag. These modern hobo bags could easily have been pulled from the archives of designers in the ’90’s. They are chic, simple, and timeless. Love!
If you still have your favorite hobo bag from 20-30 years ago, pull it out of the back of your closet and rock it! If not, it’s time to invest in a new bag! There are small hobos, micro hobos, medium hobos, and large hobos. Pick the size that works for your life. You can also be like me, and invest in more than one! Why not? This is a classic style you can wear even when it’s not on the runway.
As you know, I love the Coach Swinger and the Prada Cleo, but I do have my eyes on a slouchier style too. One can never own enough handbags I always say!
Which type of hobo do you like? Are you a structured hobo fan? Do you prefer a soft and slouchy hobo? Are you like me, and want both?
Have I mentioned I believe 2021 might be the year of the IT bag? Yeah, I sure I have! There are so many beautiful bags to covet right now! As happy as I am with my new bag purchases this year, I still am wishing for a few more! Of course, I need to win the lottery in order to purchase every handbag I wish for. haha, don’t we all??
I love bags which are either 1990s IT bags, ’90’s inspired IT bags, or new IT bags. Basically, I love IT bags! haha, There are so many to choose from in 2021!
The trending styles for 2021 include white or soft white bags, 1990s inspiration, soft and slouchy, soft neutrals, saddle bags or shoulder bags, hobo bags, and clean lines. All of these styles are so chic!
Shop my spring 2021 handbag wish list online:
Which bags are you coveting for the spring 2021 season? Or, this year in general?
Thanks for stopping by and indulging in handbags with me!
The Prada Cleo is here! While not as hard to get as some other IT bags in recent years, the Prada Cleo does require a bit of searching, and a lot of patience, to obtain.
It took about one month for me to get my hands on my Prada Cleo. I initially ordered one in white, but after two weeks, the retailer cancelled my order stating they miscalculated stock levels. <sigh> Back to the web searches! I finally found one in the larger size, in black. While I initially wanted one in white, the cancellation made me rethink my choice, and I decided to go for a more 1990s color; black. After all, the Prada Cleo is inspired by Prada’s famous IT bags of the 1990s; and I am here for it!
If you lived through the 1990s like I did, you may remember it wasn’t patent leather we saw all over the place, it was abrasivato finishes, and spazzolato finishes, which dominated the streets. Patent leather was a bit too shiny. The 1990s were all about high gloss leather, without crossing into patent territory. Patent leather had it’s moment in the 1980s, so it had an old fashion vibe during the minimalist 1990s. Patent was thought of as a bit too flashy, but high gloss leather, THAT was modern and chic. Loved it!
Another trait of handbags in the 1990s was simple, black, and chic. It was all about bags with no fuss. We wore nylon totes, nylon shoulder bags, simple hobos, and simple top handle bags. The big brands were Prada, Kate Spade, Coach, and anything Gucci or Chanel. Shoulder straps were high and tight. We wore our bags under our arm pits, safe and snug. If they had a top handle, they were worn by hand. Carrying your bag on your forearm was an early 2000s thing; not in the 1990s, you would never carry your bag like that!
Since I was a young adult, just starting out, I could not afford the beautiful nylon and spazzolato finish bags Prada designed. They were the IT bags of the moment, but my budget was found on the clearance table in the back. I had a similar bag to the Prada Cleo, which had a strap that used to break all the time. Since I knew shoe repair, I was able to maintain my clearance table bag during the 1990s. Thankfully I had splurged on a Kate Spade nylon tote for work, so I wasn’t always a hot mess with my bag. haha
Now, let’s talk more about the Prada Cleo! This beautiful bag takes inspiration from Prada’s 1990s archives. It has a hobo silhouette with structured, spazzolato leather. The high gloss is very 1990s. The bag fits under the arm without violating the armpit. That’s a huge plus. Armpit bags really aren’t that comfortable, and they slip off your shoulder. The Prada Cleo sits nicely, and stays put, on the shoulder. That’s everything!
The lining of the bag is exactly as I remember it in the 1990s. I love the thick, fabric lining which has the signature Prada logo print. It’s sturdy and easy to clean; perfect for handbag lining. There is also one pocket inside. It does not zip, so it’s more of a phone pocket. It’s not ideal for loose coins. I prefer to use it for receipts or paper notes.
The Prada Cleo is lightweight, and fits all my purse essentials. There is still room inside for my sunglasses, and few snacks for my kids, as well as hand sanitizer, and a spare mask. The bag also has been good at keeping it’s shape when filled my things. This is important since the Prada Cleo isn’t your typical hobo shape; it has a modern twist.
Did you notice the back of the Prada Cleo is longer that the front? This gives the bag a three-dimensional vibe which is geometric and modern. It definitely elevates the Prada Cleo from a 1990s clone, to a 2021 IT bag. Love that!
Since the Prada Cleo sits snugly under the arm, it is pretty safe from pickpockets. That being said, there is a nice magnetic closure to keep the bag closed. I have never had anything fall out of the bag. It’s pretty secure.
The Prada Cleo is a great everyday bag. It’s simple and chic. It pairs well with casual denim looks as well as dressy outfits with skirts and dresses. The simple yet modern silhouette also lends well to staying power. This bag won’t be easily dated as time goes on. I can see it being worn for several years. That being said, the spazzolato finish is not as sturdy as pebble leather, so don’t lay it down on concrete or throw it around; you’ll scratch it. Treat it nicely, and your Cleo should last for many years, and keep it’s nice, high gloss finish as scratch-free as possible.
Shop the Prada Cleo online:
Don’t worry if the Prada Cleo you want is sold out. You can pre-order one here! There are also three different sizes to choose from. The small size has a flap closure, the medium and large look like mine. I purchased the large which isn’t much bigger than the medium; it’s a slight difference which I wanted since my kids always give me things to hold. haha
What do you think of the Prada Cleo? Do you love it? It’s the hottest IT bag of 2021, so when you get your hands on one, snap it up!
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