Recently in Hobo Category

Could this be!?!? The Snobs post two glowing reviews of Gucci bags in one week!?!? Gucci has been catching our eye lately in a good way (and not the omg I'm ashamed I ever carried/wore anything with GG on it way).  First the large Lucy clutch and now the Iconic bag with horsebit hardware.  Very impressed with the use of the brand's iconic horsebit as the zipper pull, it makes a strong "I am Gucci" statement without compromising on design or resorting to the overkill of logos.  The pleated detail softens the hobo and lends a fresh young vibe to the aging brand.  I am all about the RTW this season from Gucci, too.  Frida Giannini's latest efforts will soon have people saying, Tom who?   Gucci Iconic Bag (15.7"w) at Saks for $1,950 (if they can drop the prices a wee bit they'd have a major hit here!)

There is a lot to be said for simple chic-- even more so when it's punched up in a sparkling champagne finish.  I'd say most of you wouldn't even think this is a Choo bag given its subtle style and lack of logo and hardware-- kudos to the brand for keeping up with the times.  And for the logo obsessed, they did leave a small dangling plate so you can show off, trimmed in leopard print no less!   This is also lined in leopard print, very slouchy glam.  There is also a plain black version but me, I'm a champagne and sparkle freak.  Jimmy Choo Metallic Hobo $1.095 (a designer bag right at thousand bucks is few and far in between!)

If you're looking for a lazy slouchy bag to hang around with this weekend, grab Costume National's ruched hobo.  It has that sloppy-I don't care what I look like- chic but the ruched sides give it plenty of structure as well or it'd be just a giant blob and that would not be cute at all!  You won't need ripped jeand and Doc Martens with them, however, a feminine little white dress will beautifully contrast with this delightfully urban guerrilla bag.  I am quite impressed with the unique design of Costume National bags-- a simple shoulder bag with folded details also caught my eye.  Prices are quite reasonable-- check out Costume National Ruched Leather Hobo $1125 here and Costume National Folded Leather Shoulder Bag here.

Molly Sims looking effortlessly stylish while out shopping for sunglasses. Her casual look of leather jacket with jeans was capped off with a rocker chic bag by Fullum & Holt (a name you need to know about). Crafted from supple lambskin, Fullum & Holt's "Oversized Spiral" retails for $600 and is available in black and cream as well as a smaller version, the "Half Spiral" which retails for $575 (they look like pillows and I kinda want to cuddle).

The collection can be purchased online at Fullum Boutique here, as well as at select retail outlets for $480 - $720.

About Fullum & Holt designer: Recognized for his eccentric leather cuts, his sophisticated tailoring and his outright fascination for everything that's unconventional, Denis Gagnon is, without a doubt, one of the most important Canadian designers in this day and age.

Photos: BNC

Dear Bag Snob,

Hello, hope you guys can help me out here. I'm a fan of the now-extinct YSL Mombasa. Is there a good, reliable site to source for a genuine second-hand?

Cheers,
Yanqin

Dear Yanqin,

Ahhhh, the Mombasa! My first YSL, I got it in Cognac when it first came out. Loved it to death - literally, the bag ended up in tatters from overuse!! We work with Yoogi's Closet, they are a very reputable retailer of authentic second-hand bags. You can even sell your old bags to them to pay for the new ones! I checked for the Mombasa and not surprisingly, they are sold out (for $595). Recently, there has been a revival of interest in the hobo as well as the messenger. This was one of the last bags Tom Ford designed before he left so it is as iconic as they come. The thing is, this bag never left, it is not extinct at all! YSL always carried is and has been since inception, they just keep it in the back in basic colors - black, brown and cognac. Now that there is this huge resurgence of interest, they will probably start putting it back up on the shelves. Mombasa Messenger is $895 at YSL, comes in black or brown. Call Will at YSL Beverly Hills for the Mombasa Leather Hobo, $895 for the small and $1100 for the large.

My friend pointed out that the words "Frugal" and "snob" are contradictory but I beg to differ! Being a snob is not about spending money, it's a person with discerning taste, even if he/she is on a budget.  If you are a frugal snob looking for a bag that is well made with good quality leather-- look no further than Cole Haan's new Raleigh tote.  This is not for the girl who has a closetful of trendy designer bags.  It is for a sensible yet stylish girl who understands that her bag should be her accessory, and not the other way around.  If you are that girl, head over to Saks to check out Cole Haan Raleigh Triangle Tote for $348

Adriana Castro has a habit of naming bags after her friends (I just found out she designed a "Tina" clutch for Cruise 2010!) and why not? Our girlfriends inspire us and this is a great way to celebrate a friend! The "Loren" hobo was designed for a dear friend of Adriana's, Loren Ridinger, a successful entrepreneur and style icon to all who know her. Adriana decided to name this bag after Loren as a way of thanking her for being an inspiration to young professional women. The "Loren Hobo" is an oversized, unstructured day bag with comfortable rounded handles, interwoven into the body of the hobo (Dimensions: 15 ½"h x 17 ½"w). The stylish shape is also very practical and functional, providing enough room to carry all of the necessities a busy girl needs to get through her day (you don't want to know what I've been known to carry). I have felt the matte python skin Adriana uses on her bags and they are sumptuously soft beyond belief. You'll want to sleep with it! You may order a Loren hobo directly from Adriana's website here in 8+ colors. ($1,900 is pennies for a fab exotic hobo!)

My expectations of Prada bags are so low nowadays that I'm excited just to see a boring old hobo with a zipper on it (even though it disturbs me how much it resembles Tod's hobo).  This is a basic that won't let you down, even if it's raining cuz if it's one thing I trust in Prada bags are its leather and durability.  The glazed calfskin (not patent) will age beautifully!  I've been buying Prada bags for 20 years and not one has fallen apart on me.  The easy hobo style comes back every year so it's also a good investment if you're looking for a bag under a grand.  Nice flat shoulder straps with secure zipped outer pocket and it opens to a big ol' bucket of a bag.  I'm leaning towards the sumptuous luggage brown but strongly suggest you use it with the backside facing out cuz that logo spelled out is almost as annoying as the triangle plate.  I know, I'm hard to please.  12.5"x10" will allow you to take it out at night without looking like a real hobo -- Prada Vitello Hobo at Saks $995.  Have a snob weekend everyone!  xoxo

Midday Midnight $650, now $455 (30% OFF); 24 HR in purple $495, now $346.50 (30% OFF).

If you don't win our fabulous Gerard Darel giveaway this month, don't worry your pretty little head because Luxcouture has got you covered either way. They are having an incredible sale, up to 50% off (the black 24 hour is only $246.50) on Gerard Darel. Frugal Snobs rejoice, shop now!

This is the moment you've been waiting for! It has taken some work on our part but we finally did it, we have secured not only one but TWO Gerard Darel bags to give away! Woo hoo! The company is notorious for their anti-giveaway policies but we found a way around it thanks to LuxCouture, who is sponsoring. LUXCOUTURE is now carrying Gerard Darel and if you are wondering why their stock is so limited, it is because they are flying off the virtual shelves. That's even more reason for us to be thankful that they are putting 2 aside for this month's giveaway.

We will have TWO WINNERS. The first will receive the 24 Hr in black, worth $495. How can you go wrong with a no-brainer everyday bag like this? The second winner will receive the Midday Midnight Hobo in purple worth $650. This is the latest GD craze and is seen on just about every celebrity around the globe. And in purple, oh swoon!! No need for words, this bag is HOT!

To win, you know the drill, fill out the entry form on our newsletter sign up page. You will receive our weekly updates as well as be entered to win, all in one fell swoop. If you already receive our newsletters, you will still need to fill out the form to be entered in this giveaway. Contest ends on June 30th at 11:59pm EST. One entry per person please and US residents only. We will select 2 winners via a random computer drawing on July 1st. Good luck!

A big huge THANKS to Sari of LuxCouture for her continued support of Bag Snob.