No logo, no monogram, no hardware shouting a name across the room, and yet The Row bags have become some of the most recognised handbags of the decade. The Soft Margaux, the Marlo Tote and the little Peggy Clutch now turn up everywhere from Paris front rows to airport lounges, and they sell out as fast as most It bags with a logo on the front. This guide explains why The Row bags are trending, how the main shapes differ, and what to check before you buy one.
Why The Row bags are trending now
The Row was founded in New York in 2006 by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and for most of its first decade it was known for clothing: exact tailoring, heavy cashmere and a palette of black, navy and stone. The bags followed the same rules. They are cut from very good leather, finished by hand in Italy, and they carry nothing on the outside that tells you who made them.
That restraint is exactly why they have taken off. After years of logo-heavy fashion, buyers started asking for pieces that looked expensive because of how they were made, rather than because of what they said. The phrase “quiet luxury” stuck, and The Row became its clearest example. Meanwhile, social media did the rest: a slouched Margaux on the arm photographs beautifully, and anyone who knows recognises the shape at once.
There is also a practical reason. The Row bags are genuinely useful. The Margaux holds a laptop, the Marlo opens wide for a full day, and the Peggy goes from dinner to a wedding without fuss. As a result, people buy them to carry, not just to collect, which keeps demand steady from season to season.
The shapes worth knowing
The Row makes many bags, but a handful of shapes account for most of the demand. Here is how they differ.
Soft Margaux
The bag that started the craze. The Soft Margaux has the same domed outline as the original Margaux, but in a supple leather or suede that relaxes as you carry it. Two rolled handles sit on the top, and a slim belt detail wraps each side. It comes in four numbered sizes, from the compact 10 to the travel-sized 17. If you are unsure which one suits you, our guide to The Row Margaux sizes sets them side by side.
Margaux Shoulder and East West Margaux
The Margaux Shoulder keeps the dome but lengthens the handles, so the bag sits comfortably on the shoulder rather than in the crook of the arm. The East West Margaux stretches the body wide and low, which makes it the easiest Margaux to fit a laptop or a folder into.
Margaux Ceinture
A cotton canvas body with a leather belt wrapped around the middle. It is lighter and more casual than the leather versions, which makes it a favourite for summer and for weekends.
Marlo Tote
The Marlo is The Row’s unstructured tote: an open top, long handles and very little else. In grained calfskin it keeps a soft rectangle; in saddle leather it takes on a richer, slightly firmer feel. It is the bag to choose if you want something that works hard every day.
Peggy Clutch
A slim, gently curved clutch with a wrist strap. It is the most affordable way into The Row bags, and the piece most often bought as a second bag for evenings.
Which of The Row bags should you buy first?
Start with how you live, then choose the shape.
- One bag for everything. The Soft Margaux 15. It carries a full working day, yet it still looks elegant at dinner.
- Hands-free days. The Margaux Shoulder 12, because the longer handles mean it actually stays on the shoulder.
- Laptop and commuting. The East West Margaux or the Soft Margaux 17.
- A lighter, casual bag. The Margaux Ceinture in canvas, or a Marlo Tote in grained leather.
- Evenings and events. The Peggy Clutch, or a Soft Margaux 10 if you prefer a handle.
If you are comparing The Row with a structured Hermès bag, it is worth reading Birkin or Kelly as well. The two answer different questions. A Birkin is built to hold its shape for decades; a Soft Margaux is built to soften and become yours.
The quiet palette: choosing a colour
The Row rarely does bright colour, and that is part of the appeal. Its palette is built from earth and stone: Sandpit, Smoked Taupe, Dark Muschio, Dark Pine, Night Navy, Deep Brown and black. Because none of them clash with anything, a single bag can work with almost every outfit you own.
Deep Brown and black are the safest choices and hold their value best. Dark Pine and Night Navy read as neutrals in most light but add depth up close. Sandpit and Smoked Taupe are the lightest, so they suit spring and summer and show the leather’s grain beautifully, although they also show marks sooner.
Suede deserves a word of its own. A suede Soft Margaux has a soft, almost velvety look that photographs wonderfully. However, it dislikes rain, so treat it as a dry-weather bag and brush it regularly to keep the nap even.
What to check before buying The Row bags
- Corners and base. Soft bags rest on their base, so look for scuffing at the corners and along the bottom seam.
- Handles. Rolled handles darken with use. Light patina is normal; cracked or flattened handles are not.
- Interior. Check the lining and the interior pocket for ink marks or stains, which are hard to remove from suede and pale leather.
- Shape. A Soft Margaux should slouch, not collapse. The top line should still hold when the bag is set down.
- Construction. Stitching should be fine, even and straight, with neatly finished edges. Because The Row bags carry so little branding, the quality of the make is the clearest sign that a bag is right.
Every bag we list is checked in house and photographed from every side, so you can see its condition before you commit. For the brand’s own current collection, visit The Row.
The Row bags in stock now
- Soft Margaux 15 in Nut Brown suede — $5,950
- Soft Margaux 15 in Mid Grey saddle leather — $6,195
- Soft Margaux 17 in black saddle leather — $7,350
- Soft Margaux 10 in Sandpit — $3,850
- Margaux Shoulder 12 in Dark Pine — $5,215
- East West Margaux in black saddle leather — $6,125
- Margaux Ceinture 15 in Ivory canvas — $4,865
- Marlo Tote 14 in black saddle leather — $4,865
- Peggy Clutch in Hippo Grey — $2,765
See every shape, size and colour in our full The Row collection. Each listing is a single piece, so when a colour sells, it is gone.
Common questions
Are The Row bags worth the price?
For most owners, yes. The leather, the construction and the design all age well, and the shapes are classic enough that they do not date. In addition, popular sizes and colours hold their value on the secondary market.
What is the difference between the Margaux and the Soft Margaux?
The original Margaux is structured and holds its shape. The Soft Margaux uses a more supple leather or suede, so it slouches and feels lighter on the arm.
Do you ship The Row bags internationally?
We do, and every order ships fully insured. For questions about a particular bag, call +1 (213) 679-3177, message us on WhatsApp, or email sales@herbirkinbags.com.
