This article explores the historical roots of the hobo bag, tracing its evolution from early American bindle culture to its transformation into a modern fashion icon. It explains how the silhouette traveled from practical makeshift carryall to an established design adopted by luxury houses, contemporary designers, and mass-market brands alike. By identifying when the term first emerged, who standardized the curved-shoulder silhouette, and how leather hobo bags became status symbols, the article provides a clear and accessible reconstruction of how one of today’s most recognizable bags was originally conceived and popularized.