Orleans Shoe Co. — Leather That Gets Better
Hobo Handbags in New Orleans & Metairie
Hobo uses full-grain leather, and it's the reason these bags look better after three years than they did on day one. Crossbodies, totes, wallets and wristlets, on the wall at our stores.
The part that matters
Full-Grain, Not Just Leather
Any part of a hide can legally be called leather. Full-grain is the top layer, and it's the one that develops a patina instead of cracking or peeling. It costs more and it lasts longer.
Why We Carry Hobo
We've been selling shoes long enough to know what real leather does over time. It softens, it takes on the marks of where you've been, and it holds up. Synthetic doesn't — it looks fine for a year and then it flakes.
Hobo sources full-grain hides primarily from Italy, France, the US and Brazil, and works with tanneries that meet real environmental standards. Some leathers are waxed, some washed, some tumbled. Each one wears in differently, which is why it's worth putting your hands on a few in the store.
What to Look For
The leather itself
Run your thumb across it. Full-grain has texture and small natural marks — those aren't flaws, they're the hide. A perfectly uniform surface usually means it's been sanded and coated.
How you actually carry it
A crossbody keeps your hands free and your weight even. A tote holds more but pulls on one shoulder. If you're on your feet all day, that difference adds up more than people expect.
The inside
Hobo puts real organization inside — card slots, zip pockets, room that's actually usable. Worth opening a few up and seeing which layout suits how you carry things.
Also see all handbags and women's apparel.
Come have a look. Photos don't do leather justice — the waxed and washed finishes look nothing alike in person. No appointment, at Magazine Street · French Quarter · Metairie Road · Severn. Don't see the color or style you want? Call 504-910-2900 — we can usually order it. Locally owned, in New Orleans since 2002.
