Of all the many, many designer handbags currently in circulation, there are just a few that can claim to have reached the upper echelons of desirability. The Hermès Birkin is one, of course, along with the Kelly, and Chanel's iconic 2.55 flap bag – all of which have the hard-to-penetrate, never-ending waiting lists to match. But only one other handbag has managed to penetrate this hyper-exclusive top tier in recent years, and that's The Row's Margaux.
First launched in 2018 by the Olsen twins' quiet luxury label, it quickly became a cult classic and veritable must-have for designer handbag enthusiasts and celebrities alike. It's been spotted on everyone from Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber and Jennifer Lawrence to Zoë Kravitz and Harry Styles over the years, and despite its hefty price-tag (we're talking £3,380 for the smallest size) and distinct lack of logo, it has sold out almost every season since its release.
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It comes as quite the shock, then, that last week rumours began circulating that The Row plans to discontinue its much-loved Margaux. While scarcity and mystique have become synonymous with the New York City-based 'stealth wealth' brand – who could forget the design duo banning phones at their AW24 show? – it would seem an unprecedented move even by their standards to remove a best-selling bag from production at the height of its popularity.
While The Row is yet to confirm the news, the fashion world has already entered panic mode, with Margaux fans snapping up every last style they can find online, and resale prices starting to surge. Of course, this could all simply be a very clever marketing ploy to increase demand, or a completely unfounded fabrication from the depths of the Reddit rumour-mill – but whatever the case, the fact remains that the bag is currently more exclusive and desirable than ever.
Shop The Row's Margaux Bag
The Row Khaki Soft Margaux 17 Bag
The Row Margaux 15 Bag
The Row Black Leather Margaux Bag
The Row Soft Margaux 15 Bag in Suede
Of course, there are a good few softly structured, minimalist, top-handle, carry-all totes similar to the Margaux bag on the market that are every bit as chic and capacious, only just not quite as ubiquitous – and arguably, isn't that even more in keeping with The Row's signature low-key luxury appeal?
So, just in case the whisperings do turn out to be true, we've found all of the best The Row Margaux alternatives to shop now, from the brand's newer investment handbag styles that are every bit as cult-worthy, to similar silhouettes from Totême, Bottega Veneta, Manu Atelier and more – before they, too, become victims of their own success. Get 'em while you can...
Shop The Best The Row Margaux Alternatives
The Row India 15.75 Suede Tote Bag
The Row Devon Large Leather Tote Bag
Manu Atelier Le Cambon 40 Deep Brown Suede
COS Studio Leather Bowling Bag
Métier Private Eye Large Suede Tote
Ferragamo Hug Large Suede Tote Bag
Reformation Oversized Patrizia Bag
Bottega Veneta Ciao Ciao Medium Leather Tote Bag
Toteme Croco-Embossed Day Tote
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Clementina Jackson is Acting Site Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, working across news and features, trends, e-commerce and SEO. She was previously Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health, and Acting Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, where she was named as a PPA 30 Under 30 award winner for her work on size inclusivity. An experienced fashion, travel and luxury lifestyle journalist, Clementina has also written for Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveller, Tatler, Red and Italy Segreta.
