Margot: Your reviews aren’t that good.
Eli: But the sales are.
–The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), written by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson
No one knows the origin of why the Row’s Margaux bag is called “the Margaux.”
… but, I believe that this bag is named after Margot Tenenbaum and her iconic Birkin.
That would explain why this bag is heralded as the “new” Birkin.
In my mind Mary-Kate and Ashley decided to be silly and call it the Margaux — like a faux Margot, get it?
Bad jokes aside, but when a bag is getting this many TikTok and Instagram Reel “reviews,” admittedly, I’m curious.
… especially because at the time that it came out, in ~2018, I was distracted chasing technicolour tiny Ascot bag dreams.
With its recent proliferation of good reviews, let’s dive into my review of The Row’s Margaux bag.
The Row Margaux Bag Review
For reference’s sake, I’m 5’5.75.”
… and for comparison here’s how some other bags look on my frame:
–A.P.C. Mini Demi Lune
–Celine Small Trio
–Chanel Classic Handbags
–Isabel Marant Maskhia Bag
–Telfar Shopping Bags
This is how The Row’s Margaux Soft 15 Bag, in white pebbled/textured leather (similar to Hermès’ Taurillon Clemence leather), looks:
With a weight of 1,069 grams/2.35 pounds, the Margaux bag is a relatively heftier bag when empty.
… and (obviously) only gets heavier once you put your laptop and other necessities in it.
Here’s what fits in The Row’s Margaux 15 bag…
… and after all that stuff is in it, it weighs a whopping 4263 grams/9.4 pounds.
At 15 W x 11 H x 9 D in (or 38.1 W x 27.94 H x 22.86 cm), it is the Mary Poppins of handbags.
It should be noted that despite this weight, the 15 size does not come with a shoulder strap.
Is the Row’s Margaux bag worth it?
Right now, everyone is saying that The Row’s Margaux bag is the “new Birkin.”
I strongly disagree…
1- They don’t look similar
The Margaux bag looks more like an Hermès Bolide went out for tea with the Hermès Garden Party, then caught up with Mulberry’s Bayswater and got “Mossed” by the Kate Moss x Topshop Bowling Bag afterwards.
2- It even doesn’t seem to be finished like a Birkin
The Row Margaux bag’s edges are finished in what feels like plastic.
It also feels like it is something that will crack over time (similar to my wallets of years past or like a Goyard St. Louis tote).
Ostensibly, it looks as though 5 pieces of leather were glued together with wax, plastic, or some other material (note: they are stitched together though!).
This bag does not seem to be finished in a way that will last a lifetime and then some.
On the other hand, the top and straps of a Retourne Birkin are finished differently — from what I can make out by studying photos (I don’t have a Birkin… yet), the edges on a Birkin are bevelled, burnished, then sealed and finished.
A Retourne Birkin doesn’t have a thick coat of sealant on all of its edges.
The sides of the bag are all edge piped in leather (unless it’s a Sellier model) and even a Birkin’s base is held together with leather piping.
Note: Edges/glazing cracking on Retourne Birkins does happen after years of daily use, as it could happen with the Margaux bag.
The biggest difference is that all of the edges on the Margaux are glazed vs. only the top/handles/sangle edges are glazed on a Birkin.
When the entire bag is held together by glazing/glue, like the Margaux, it would speed up the likelihood of all the edges cracking.
… and as far as I know, you can’t just send your Margaux bag to The Row to be repaired as you would send your Birkin to Hermès to be freshened up for another decade.
3- The Row’s Margaux bag isn’t “new”
It made its debut in The Row’s Pre-Fall 2018 collection in a burnt cognac crocodile and burgundy brushed leather (whose colour does hold similarities to Margot Tenenbaum’s (possibly) Cuivre Birkin).
So, the only thing new about this bag is that people all of the sudden want it.
I blame “quiet luxury,” but I digress.
Much like the unassuming yet intricate lives of the Tenenbaum family, The Row’s Margaux bag embodies a quiet sophistication.
This understated elegance lets you wear it for sophisticated occasions, with faux fur, and casual outings, in tracksuits, with equal ease.
… or in any other which way you’d please…
Left to Right: Kate Moss x Topshop vest with a J. Crew tank top, Diesel denim shorts, and Repetto Cendrillon flats; Holt Renfrew cardigan with a Neiman Marcus cashmere tank top, Isabel Marant belt, AGOLDE jeans, and Repetto Cendrillon flats; Chanel 06A jacket, G. Label tank top, Kate Moss x Topshop belt, Rag & Bone skinny jeans, and Loeffler Randall Goldy boots.
So, is The Row’s Margaux bag worth it?
If this is the one bag that you are going to buy for the next 10 years, I would consider your options a little more.
The edges just feel like they will crack with wear over the next 5-10 years and it’s still an expensive bag to have for only a decade before you need to get it repaired.
If it’s another bag that you’ll use in rotation with your other bags and you’re comfortable with the price, then sure — why not!
Why I sold my The Row Margaux bag
This is the first bag that I’ve ever sold…
But, to be honest, it was an easy call.
1- Size: It is too big.
I don’t carry a lot with me on a day to day basis (just an essentials pouch and my eyeglasses/sunglasses), and lugging around two things in a 2.35 lb bag seemed silly.
2- Structure: It is too structured.
At 9” deep, it is so awkward to carry on your shoulder — let alone while wearing a winter coat with it.
I like to have my hands free when I carry a bag and I also forgot how much of a hassle it is to keep a bag in the crook of your arms all day.
3- Edge Paint: It will only get more worn.
… and not look cute-lived in worn when it inevitably does.
4- It was a replacement: I only bought it because I’ve always wanted a white Chanel Cerf bag c. 2007.
When you buy an item as a replacement for another, you’re always going to think about the initial item you wanted — even if you spent more money on a “coveted” item as the replacement.
5- Not my style: This is the most important reason.
It just didn’t feel like “me.”
If something doesn’t feel like you, and isn’t your style, don’t push yourself.
Life is too stressful to add the burden of trying to make a too big and too structured bag with dodgy edge paint that you bought as a replacement for something you like more bag fit into your style.
Pros & Cons
Pros
–Fits a lot
–Easy to get: Unlike a Birkin, you don’t have to spend 1+++:1 for the privilege of buying The Margaux bag.
–Can get at a discount: FWRD offers a 10% off discount and Neiman Marcus offers 15% off on your first order when you sign up for their emails.
–Structured base: So the bag doesn’t get all smooshed.
–Open top: Easy access to your belongings.
Cons
–Open top: Easy access for pickpockets.
–Structured base: The bag doesn’t get all smooshed, which also means that it can’t smoosh against your body in tight spaces.
–Quality: Due to the edges, it does not seem to be finished as totally quality handbags should be finished.
Not a pro or con, just a note — Margaux 15+ bags do not come with a strap or have the ability to add a strap.
If you wanted a strap, you would need to loop it around the sangles on the sides and run the risk of breaking or stretching them over time.
Raleigh: You don’t love me any more, do you?
Margot: I do, kind of. I can’t explain it right now.
–The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), written by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson
It’s not that I don’t love this bag.
I do, kind of…
It’s hard to explain.
If it won’t be a financial burden and you don’t mind the idea that this bag could break down over time, then it’s a fine bag to add to your collection.
… but if this is going to be your be all and end all bag, there are higher quality bags on the market for less.
The Row’s Margaux bag is available from a wide variety of retailers including FWRD, Neiman Marcus, and Net-a-Porter.
Note: newinspired uses affiliate links which costs you nothing… but means a lot to me. When you use these links, the money newinspired earns gets reinvested in blog content. Absolutely nothing on newinspired is “gifted” or sponsored, I purchase each item with my own money. Affiliate commissions are used to purchase new items to honestly & thoroughly review. If you found this review helpful, consider using them to support newinspired.
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