The humble hobo has been one of the biggest handbag shapes of the 2020s, thanks to the return of all things Y2K. Plus, when the crossbody bag was quietly dethroned by the slim shoulder bags of the early 2020s, it paved the way for another shoulder bag trend from the early aughts—the hobo.
Whether slim and sleek or slouchy and relaxed, the hobo bag’s popularity shows absolutely no signs of slowing down, with new offerings continuing to trickle in as we head into the fall season. What we love about the hobo is that it offers the perfect in-between size, striking a balance between style and function.
Plus, with boho back, there’s no better time for this shape to be on your radar, and today we’re comparing two of the best boho bags out there: the Saint Laurent Mombasa revival and Chloé’s modern-meets-vintage Banana Hobo. Let’s take a look!
Saint Laurent Mombasa
Just when we thought we’d seen the last of the iconic archival revivals, Saint Laurent wowed handbag lovers with the return of one of the most beloved aughts bags, the Saint Laurent Mombasa. While the revival offers the same unmistakable silhouette and distinctive handle, its overall design is much more minimal than the original, featuring a leather-covered handle in monochromatic leather.
Arriving just in time for its 25th anniversary, the new Mombasa felt like the perfect mix of vintage and modern, with its more minimalist aesthetic appealing to the quiet luxury era that fashion just can’t seem to stray from. Debuting for the Spring 2026 season, the Mombasa quickly proved to be just as relevant today as it was twenty years ago.
The small size, which is the most in line with today’s Battle of the Bags, retails for $3,450.
Chloé Banana Bag
Chemena Kamali’s debut collection for Chloé quickly proved that boho was SO back—and arguably better than ever! With her debut, Kamali paid homage to Phoebe Philo’s Chloé, referencing the Maison’s Spring 2001 collection with the debut of the Chloé Bracelet Bag. The following season, it was all the rage outside of Kamali’s Spring runway show for Chloé.
Street stylers opted for various iterations of the new-meets-old silhouette, some with banana handles—another reference to early 2000s Chloé. The banana motif, which was first used in Chloé collections in 2004, later became a cornerstone symbol for the House.
In recent years, Kamali has expanded upon the Banana bag, and she’s done it again for Fall 2026 with the sleek, chic Banana Hobo.
How They Stack Up
Like the Saint Laurent Mombasa, the Small Banana Hobo features a leather-wrapped handle and a rounded, moon-like shape. The Chloé, which retails for $2,390, over $1,000 less than the Mombasa in the small size, features a chain with engraved gold charms—a nod to Chloé’s bohemian roots. The dimensions of both bags are similar, offering ample space for your daily essentials.
- Saint Laurent Small Mombasa: 9.1″ H x 11″ W x .8″ D.
- Chloé Small Banana Hobo: 7.9″H x 12.2″ W x .1″ D.
Which one would you pick?
