If you are anything like us, you may have a weak spot for designer handbags. That’s not to say you buy them (kudos if you do), but we can window shop, dream, and shop affordable alternatives instead. I always keep my eyes peeled for budget friendly, yet premium looking accessories to fill the designer bag shaped hole in my life, and keep my finances in tact.
![[John Lewis ANYDAY North/South Faux Leather Hobo Bag]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/John-Lewis-4-0822.png?w=635)
M&S has a variety of designer looking bags, but rival store John Lewis also has stylish accessories that made me double take too. Case in point: John Lewis ANYDAY North/South Faux Leather Hobo Bag. The North/South Faux Leather Hobo Bag from John Lewis’ own brand, ANYDAY, looks very similar to Saint Laurent’s Le 5 à 7 Large Leather Shoulder Bag, which fetches £2,200. However, John Lewis’ design costs just £45, which means a saving of £2,155 – it’s a no brainer.
The long rectangular Hobo bag is perfect for everyday wear. Made from recycled polyurethane to achieve a faux leather look, which is available in three shades. The handbag boasts three internal compartments, including an integrated purse inside to house your valuables. The open top design features a magnetic top fastening, as well as silver hardware, and a thick adjustable top strap.
John Lewis’ Hobo Bag has the same rectangular shape as the Saint Laurent version, but is lighter in weight than the designer alternative at 55g. The Hobo bag measures 30cm in height, 28cm in width and 10cm in depth, which is almost the same dimensions as Saint Laurent’s Large Shoulder Bag that reaches 29cm in height, as well as width, and 12cm in depth.
The main difference is Saint Laurent has crafted their bag out of super soft calf leather with a grain texture, whereas John Lewis has used recycled materials in the form of polyurethane, which makes for a slightly more eco-conscious choice, and more affordable for shoppers.
Both designs feature one thick top strap, which can be adjusted. Saint Laurent’s strap can be tailored using the buckle hardware, while John Lewis’ creation relies on a hardware toggle to slip through holes on the strap to hold in place. They also share the same open top design. Yet John Lewis’ Hobo bag had a magnetic fastening at the top to close the mouth of the bag, while Saint Laurent’s design features a fine top strap with metal YSL hardware that hooks into a tab to stay closed.
Saint Laurent’s Le 5 à 7 large leather shoulder bag is available in four colours, including classic black, khaki green, grey/taupe and white. Plus it is also available in a smaller size for £1,930, which is still significantly more expensive than John Lewis’ creation.
The John Lewis design is only available in three tones, including beige, black and soft butter yellow. Our personal favourites include the beige and black colourways, which we could purchase, and still have money left over instead of splurging on the high end alternative.
Shoppers can’t stop raving about the bag. One shopper praised: ‘Lovely quality, perfect size. Great grab bag with the extra security of a zipper purse inside that is attached to the handbag, with a further open pocket to give you easy access to your items. You can easily alter the strap to suit your needs.’.
Another added: ‘Perfect size for work or nipping to the supermarket.’. While a separate customer commented: ‘I bought this bag in black for a Christmas present. Love it so much, I’m sure I will be buying one for myself!. It’s a good size, without being too big.’.
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