A couple of months ago, I spotted someone sporting an ultra-chic, slouchy hobo bag during my commute home. Though I didn’t get the chance to ask them where they’d picked up such a magnificent handbag, I’ve had my heart set on finding one that’s just as chic ever since, which is where the TikTok-beloved Montana West Slouchy Hobo Bag comes into the picture.
With Coach’s slouchy Brooklyn Shoulder Bag being the ultimate “cool girl” bag this fall (here’s Bella Hadid carrying the suede version), TikTok users have been sharing some of the affordable alternatives they’ve found on the platform. Montana West’s budget-friendly hobo bag isn’t a perfect match to the Coach one, but it does offer a similar look for a fraction of the price and has been drumming up attention lately. Between its super-relaxed silhouette, thin straps and soft faux leather exterior, I’m convinced this $23 Amazon find is the affordable fall accessory we all didn’t know we needed.
The Montana West Slouchy Hobo Bag is available in more than 10 colors, including this rich brown that’s perfect for fall. The bag has a luxe suede-like interior, a magnetic snap closure and a detachable center pouch that can be used to hold smaller belongings, like a phone and keys.
How I found the Montana West Slouchy Hobo Bag
Since slouchy bags have been getting so much attention lately, this bag was all over our fashion and beauty editor’s socials. With all the buzz around this hobo bag and the Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag, naturally, I had to see for myself what all the fuss was about.
Why the Montana West Slouchy Hobo Bag is a score
Last month, I tested a $27 laptop backpack I scooped off Amazon and was pleasantly surprised by the quality. I wasn’t sure if I’d feel the same way this time around, but the hobo bag I ordered arrived in perfect condition and the quality seems promising so far. The bag is made from a supple faux leather that feels nice to hold and has a suede-like interior that really takes the aesthetics of it up a notch. Messy stitching can really ruin the look of a piece, but I’m pleased to report that the stitching on this Montana West bag is very clean.
I also love how versatile this bag is. It’s relaxed but not sloppy, and effortlessly chic. I’ve taken it with me to church, out to dinner and while running errands around Connecticut. Since it doesn’t have a lot of structure, it’s also easy to fold down and carry in another bag, which makes it a great bag to pick for trips. Though I was unsure about the skinny straps at first, this bag is so comfortable to carry and the straps don’t dig into my shoulders once my personal belongings are inside.
Most of my handbags fall into one of two categories: either unable to fit much outside of the essentials or large enough to double as a work bag, shopping tote or overnighter, but this bag easily falls between the two. The interior isn’t super spacious, but I can fit my phone, wallet, keys and a few other small things in the zippered center pouch, plus a couple of other items in the main compartment. Would I use it as a work bag? Definitely not (I carry way too much stuff for that), but if I really needed to, I’d be able to fit my MacBook and a notebook in there with space for a few essential items. In addition to having a strong magnetic clasp to prevent things from falling out, the inner pouch is detachable, which lets me carry the pouch on its own or place it in a different bag. It’s worth noting that there is a chemical smell to the bag, but it’s less noticeable now than straight out of the box.
I didn’t expect to love the Montana West Hobo Bag as much as I do, but here we are. The soft faux leather, clean streamlined design, rich brown color and sturdy-feeling construction makes this $23 Amazon bag a worthy addition to any fall wardrobe this year.
