Dress Like a Hobo! [ 1930s Depression Era ]

Discover the practical and cost-effective fashion of 1930s hobos, characterized by durable, loose-fitting attire that not only reflected the era's style but also shielded them from harsh environmental conditions.

[WayPointSurvival]

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[coffeepotmommah]

I love this series. My parents grew up in the depression. Mom told me how they watched grandma come up with a job for a hobo to do, then run to fix them something to eat and a extra biscuit and hard boiled eggs for the next day. She said the men were always so grateful. They lived near the depot and was always having men come by.

[johnndavis]

I observed a "man of the road" once.
I noticed that he had a backpack with lots of pockets on the outside.
Each pocket had an item wrapped in a white plastic grocery bag.
I suppose to keep the items dry and also so that no one could see exactly what he had.
He was wearing sturdy shoes. Oxford pattern.
The most interesting thing was that he wore a pair of thin cotton work pants under his jeans.
This gave him extra pockets that couldnt be picked.
Life on the road can be rough. Sleeping in the woods everything bites, scratches or pokes. Two layers of clothing gave him extra protection.
Things to think about
Thanks for the video.

[NEWWORLDPREPAREDNESS]

I'm very appreciative that you are continuing the hobo series as well. Lot to be learned from those folks. Great job.

[ClydeAdair-mz]

In the very late 50's and beginning of the 60's (pretty near the end of the hobo era, I can remember my Mom making sandwiches & coffee or other food and drinks for those rare hobos still trying to live that life. I remember one or two that kind of befriended me. They told such great stories about their lives but often such sad notes of their lifestyles dying out and how people were forgetting how to be kind or generous. I also remember my Dad leaving out his old boots when he got new ones often with a couple of pairs of socks. Years later I dawned on me why Dad always kept extra shirts and pants in the garage too as Mom would often put some of those things out with the food she'd make.

[HatBilly]

Both of my grandfathers did this, in the 1930s,
They had no choice because there wasn’t any jobs.
Planted trees for the government, and cutting down trees.
And I remember one of them worked on the railroad repairs. Paining rail cars and engines.
And sometimes farmers too.
What I can remember about them when I was a child was their stories.
I am 57 now.
And the hunted wild game too.

[matthaft]

I love that this is literally how 90% of the hipsters dress where I live. Yet I doubt any of them have done the manual labor befitting of such an outfit

[rquest]

My granduncle lived near a depot and recalled seeing WW1 veteran's (hobos) wearing their wool pants and leggings for warmth along with a satchel or an improvised backpack containing their mess kit, canteen cup and other military surplus to aid in their survival. Excellent video.

[justincregar]

I love hobo life. My grandfather worked for the for many years he always told me stories about hobos coming to the train yard

[mulatokudzava]

This kind of oldschool hobo content is great, I love the romanticism of the old times and hard yet simple hobo lifestyle!

[OldManGlitch]

Funny but much of the clothing you described my Grandfather, (UP Brakeman) wore too. Only difference was denim overalls and in the winter, he would add wool longjohns, (One-Piece with the flap in the back, kind). But the lined cotton duck coat, fingerless gloves, sturdy belt, boots and suspenders were spot on.

[TheDaflad]

“A pair of suspenders” has a whole different meaning over here in the uk 😂
We refer to them as “a pair of braces”
Another fantastic video, best wishes from the UK 🇬🇧

[randy-]

Thank you, James. As many others have already said: I very much enjoy this particular series. All of your videos, but this one seems to strike a meaningful cord with me.

[jamessotherden]

I have an insulated pair of overhauls And they are very warm. Great series.

[thebaronofbelco]

Gday, I put this in the other comments but thought your subscribers might dig hearing about our Australian history of the Hobo, ours was called a “Swagman” really enjoying your Hobo history series too. Thanks
, In Australia our Hobos were called “Swagmen” there is a famous old traditional song that we all learn at school, it’s called “ WaltzingMatilda “, many see it as a alternate national anthem, it plays into the Australian love and pride of our Convict roots. It’s about the love of adventure, survival and suspicion and sometimes hate of Authority. Look up the lyrics, I think quite a few Americans will appreciate its message for sure. Freedom to live how we want. In the end of the Song/Poem, The swagman says to the Troopers, “ you’ll never catch me alive” he would rather be dead and free, than caged. I can dig that. Love the channel mate. Cheers
Ps. Here are the Lyrics, in case anyone not Australian wants to know. Might need some translation on some of the “old Aussie, slang, words etc haha” we can answer them for you. Ha

Just quick… so the lyrics might make sense a “Matilda” is what Swagmen called their “Swag/Bedroll” that had all their bits and bobs rolled up in
And “Waltzing” is the walking from place to place.
Jumbuck is a Sheep
Tuckerbag is the usually cotton or waxed cotton bag they kept all their tea, flour, salt etc in
A Squatter is a Grazier of cattle, Sheep etc
Billabong is a natural small body of water, usually made from an underground spring like a little dam, sometimes swampy around the edges. Often very spiritual places to the Aboriginal people

Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong
Under the shade of a Coolibah tree
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled
"You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me"
Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong
Up jumped the swagging and grabbed him with glee
And he sang as he stowed that jumbuck in his tucker bag
"You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me"

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me
And he sang as he stowed that jumbuck in his tucker bag
"You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me"

Down came the squatter mounted on his thorough-bred
Up came the troopers one, two, three
"Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me"

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me
"Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker-bag?
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me"

Up cut the swagman and jumped into the billabong
"You'll never catch me alive" said he
And his ghost may be heard if you pass by that billabong
"Who'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me?"
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me
And his ghost may be heard if you pass by that billabong
"You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me"
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me
And his ghost may be heard if you pass by that billabong
"You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me"
Cheers from Australia and stay safe

[Johnny_Shadow]

Good stuff. Particularly liked the commens about hats and long sleeves. Still think they're relevant today and making a comeback for those who like being outside for protection against the elements.

[luke]

My wife says I look like a hobo all the time. Must be on the right track!😂

[dragonslayer]

I remember reading the Laura Ingles Wilder books to my kids when they were small, and her Pa, traveled anyway he could to find work. With cardboard or thick paper in the bottom of his boots when he'd wear holes in the soles. Mind you, this is before the depression, and living out on the Prairie Lands didn't offer much Cash Money. Just a Garden, Chickens and maybe a couple Hogs for food. I'd imagine this way of life never really stopped until the end of WW2. That time in history saw so much prosperity in America...

[jamespaul]

Thank you for another wonderful series, James. What a remarkable time this must have been, people were so resourceful and adventurous back in the day

[davidlewis]

Great info, that Daddy Longleg spider wanted in the video…lol