11 Affordable Alternatives to The Row Margaux Bag • Brookes Buys

The Row is a fashion brand unlike any other. It doesn’t lean into flashy logos or dominate social media trends the way brands like Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, and Louis Vuitton do. The Row’s understated persona, inherited from its founders, Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, leans into the stealth wealth trend.

You’ll know The Row Margaux bag when you see it. This celebrity-approved tote is a favorite of Kendall Jenner, Jennifer Lawrence, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. But is it really worth the $4,000+ price tag? Let’s talk about it.

You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to jump on this ‘quiet luxury’ trend. Fashion is circular, and The Row Margaux bag is no exception. I’m sharing 11 of my favorite alternatives to The Row Margaux bag that prove you don’t have to have designer brands to be chic and elegant.

Jennifer Lawrence carrying the Row Margaux bag

Meet The Row’s Margaux Bag

The Row is a fashion brand that relies on craftsmanship and styling to sell its products. Unlike other luxury brands, it doesn’t rely on its logo to drive its sales. Instead, the driving force behind the popularity of The Row’s handbags is the brand’s celebrity clientele.

It’s worth noting that the inspiration for The Row Margaux bag is the Hermes Birkin. The Birkin is synonymous with the Olsen twins, who both famously overfill their Hermes bags and aren’t afraid to cover them in stains or pen marks.

The Margaux is one of The Row 90s bags with a silhouette that feels both vintage and contemporary. It’s the brand’s most recognizable accessory, with its limited production helping to drive up demand for this elusive bag.

One thing to consider with The Row is that they design for a specific client – the ultra-wealthy and A-list celebrities. It’s a brand you could imagine being in the closet of Succession’s Shiv Roy or a grown-up Blair Waldorf’s.

The Row Margaux 15 bag is the most popular size, but there are over 30 different styles. It’s not unusual to go onto Net-a-Porter or The Row’s website to find the bag totally out of stock.

Is The Row Margaux Bag a Good Investment?

While designer handbags can be a status symbol, not all are a worthwhile investment. A Chanel or Hermes bag might go up in value, but unless you’re planning on selling the bag for a profit, it’s best to avoid thinking of them as an “investment.”

This advice is especially true for designer bags that aren’t from heritage brands. Although a bag from The Row might resell for its retail price today, it’ll likely drop in value once the trend falls out of style. It’s a tale as old as time. Just ask the Givenchy Antigona, the Chloe Marcie bag, or the Mulberry Alexa. They were all The Row Margaux bag of their day.

Kering, one of the largest luxury conglomerates, has seen a drop in sales of designer handbags as consumers become smarter with their cash. It recently warned of a 20% decline in projected sales for Gucci, one of its main brands. Only a few years ago, Gucci was everywhere you looked. I mean, who can forget the hype for Gucci belts and sneakers? While it’s rapid decline in sales isn’t unique to Gucci, it does hint that brand loyalty among heritage brands isn’t what it used to be.

If you like the silhouette and look of The Row’s Margaux bag, you can achieve it without drop thousands of dollars.

The Row Margaux bag isn’t an original concept. You can see how it’s evolved from the Olsen twins’ love of the Birkin and classic ‘90s tote bags.

I’m sharing 11 of my favorite alternatives to The Row Margaux bag to get the designer look for less. These bags give you the same oversized look and understated feel without a four-figure price tag. Use the difference to book a vacation – or two!