The Row E/W Margaux Bag Review
Size, fit, and comparison to the Margaux 15 and Shoulder 12
The E/W Margaux is for someone who wants a serious day bag with a more fashion-led silhouette.
Compared with the Margaux 15, it is not the more capable work bag — it is the more directional one. The long, low proportions give it a completely different presence from a traditional tote, while still offering the capacity to handle a real day, including a laptop.
This review compares the two, where the distinction is less about capability and more about attitude.
The Row Margaux E/W compared with the Margaux 15, highlighting the East/West’s lower, more elongated silhouette.
At a Glance
Best For: Work-capable day carry with a fashion-led silhouette
Carry Style: Hand, crook-of-arm
Vibe: Elongated, architectural, refined
Strengths: Distinct East/West silhouette, laptop capacity, horizontal organization
Not Ideal If: You want easy shoulder carry or more vertical storage
Price: $5,600 (Grained calfskin)
Compared with the Margaux 15 and Shoulder 12, the East/West offers a different balance of capacity and carry style. For a deeper look at each, see the Margaux 15 and Shoulder 12 reviews.
Specification Comparison: East/West vs. Margaux 15 vs. Shoulder 12
| Specification | E/W | Margaux 15 | Shoulder 12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | ~17 in. | 15 in. | 14.75 in. |
| Height | ~8 in. | 11 in. | 9 in. |
| Depth | ~9.5 in. | 9 in. | 5 in. |
| Carry Style | Top handle | Top handle | Shoulder carry |
| Handle Drop | ~6.5 in. | 6 in. | ~10 in. |
| Crossbody Strap | — | — | — |
| Leather Options | Grained, Suede | Grained, Polished, Suede | Grained, Polished |
| Lining | Lambskin, Suede | Cotton herringbone, Lambskin, Suede | Lambskin |
| Capacity | 13" laptop (horizontal) | Laptop | Large iPad |
| Best For | Day carry, work | Work, travel or everyday | Shoulder wear & versatility |
| Starting Price (Grained) | $5,600 | $4,700 | $4,900 |
Where to Buy the Row E/W Margaux
The E/W Margaux is a modern take on The Row’s core Margaux collection and is typically available through the brand’s boutiques, official website, and select luxury retailers. Materials can rotate seasonally, and pieces can also be found on the resale market.
Current sourcing options:
The Row — Official online store
Mytheresa— Authorized luxury retailer
Fashionphile— Resale marketplace
Design & Craftsmanship
The E/W Margaux feels expensive before you even register the details. The long horizontal body gives the leather room to show, while the precise construction keeps the shape sharp, controlled, and unmistakably The Row.
In grained calfskin, the surface has a rich, tactile depth that also makes the bag more forgiving in everyday use. The textured finish helps disguise small scratches and surface marks, making it particularly well suited to workdays, travel, and frequent wear.
The leather feels substantial without becoming rigid. It holds the E/W’s architectural line beautifully, then develops a gentle softness over time without losing the structure that gives the bag its presence.
Inside, the E/W Margaux is fully lined in lambskin, adding a luxurious finish without noticeable weight. The toggle closure remains discreet and functional, while clean stitching, smooth edges, and restrained hardware keep the focus on the shape and leather.
Four protective feet support the base, helping the bag stand upright while keeping the leather away from direct surface contact.
The E/W Margaux is also available in polished calfskin and suede. For a deeper comparison, see our Polished vs. Matte Grained leather guide.
The Row E/W Margaux in Night Navy, highlighting the lambskin-lined interior, close-up texture of the grained calfskin, and palladium gusset buckle.
Style & Presence
The E/W changes the mood through proportion. Its long, low shape creates a stronger horizontal line, giving the bag a more directional, fashion-led presence without losing the restraint that defines the Margaux silhouette.
In Night Navy, that effect becomes especially sophisticated. The color reads almost black in lower light, but has enough depth to feel softer and less expected. It works easily with black, grey, camel, cream, denim, and navy while giving those combinations more nuance.
The wider base also changes what the bag does for an outfit. It can add definition to tailoring, sharpen simple knitwear, and bring a stronger line to coats and trousers without making the look feel overly structured.
Despite its length, the E/W never feels unwieldy. The proportions are controlled, and the lower profile keeps the emphasis on shape rather than sheer size.
For someone who wants a substantial day bag that adds definition and presence to an outfit, the E/W Margaux has a particularly strong point of view.
Functionality & Fit
The E/W Margaux turns its elongated proportions into a practical advantage. A 13-inch laptop fits comfortably, while a wallet, pouch, bottle, and smaller essentials can spread more easily across the base.
The wider opening also makes the interior easier to scan and access throughout the day, particularly for work or travel.
The toggle closure keeps access simple without interrupting the clean exterior, preserving the balance between practical function and the controlled shape that makes the E/W feel so polished.
The Row E/W Margaux in Night Navy vs. Margaux 10 in Black — elongated capacity and a strong horizontal line vs. compact structure and top-handle polish.
What Fits Inside
The East/West Margaux carries more than the Shoulder 12 and slightly less than the Margaux 15, with a layout that emphasizes width over height.
Phone
Wallet
Sunglasses
Keys
Large pouch
Water bottle
13" laptop
Because of the bag’s lower height, items sit side-by-side rather than stacking vertically, giving the interior a wider, flatter organization style.
The Row E/W Margaux in Night Navy shown with a 13-inch laptop positioned between the gusset folds, plus work essentials fitting comfortably inside with room to spare.
Wearability
The E/W Margaux is designed mainly for hand carry or the crook of the arm.
The handle drop measures approximately 6.5 inches, slightly longer than the Margaux 15 at 6 inches. That extra half inch can allow for a tight shoulder fit, but it is best viewed as an occasional option rather than the bag’s primary carry mode, especially with outerwear.
The tapered top also helps the elongated silhouette sit naturally against the body, so the bag feels comfortable and close without becoming bulky or cumbersome.
The elongated shape feels balanced in the hand, and the structured base helps the bag keep its shape even when it is lightly packed.
Longevity & Relevance
The E/W Margaux takes a familiar silhouette and makes it feel fresh through proportion alone. The long, low shape gives the Margaux a stronger point of view, but the belted sides, tapered top, structured base, and restrained finish keep it unmistakably part of the family.
That balance is what makes the E/W interesting over time. It feels distinctive enough to justify owning alongside another Margaux, yet familiar enough to work with the same wardrobe: tailoring, coats, denim, knitwear, and polished day dressing.
The grained calfskin also supports that longevity. It is durable, forgiving, and designed to soften gradually with use, which suits a bag meant to carry a laptop, travel through workdays, and be reached for often.
The E/W is more than a variation on the Margaux; its elongated shape gives it a distinct role as a work-capable day bag with a more directional feel.
Side view of The Row Margaux 10 in Black, Margaux 12 in Smoked Taupe, Shoulder 12 in Deep Brown, E/W Margaux in Night Navy, and Margaux 15 in Black — showing the progression from compact day carry to full workday capacity.
Final Take
The appeal of the E/W Margaux is that it makes a familiar bag feel noticeably more interesting without losing what made the Margaux desirable in the first place.
The elongated shape changes the entire attitude of the bag. It feels more deliberate, more fashion-forward, and a little less expected than the classic proportions, while still offering the laptop and tote-level capacity needed for a full day.
That makes the E/W especially compelling for someone who already appreciates the Margaux but wants a version with more personality. It has enough presence to make simple clothes feel sharper, yet it never asks the rest of the outfit to compete with it.
If the classic Margaux is the bag you admire for its balance, the E/W is the one you choose when you want that same refinement with a little more edge.
Explore More From The Row
Margaux Size Guide — how each size carries in daily use
Margaux 10 vs Shoulder 12— a detailed comparison of the smaller Margaux silhouettes
Margaux 15 Review — a detailed comparison of size, capacity, and wearability
Peggy Review— a closer look at the Peggy’s streamlined shape, versatile carry, and everyday functionality
Marlo vs Peggy— comparing two everyday alternative silhouettes to the Margaux
Agnes 12 Review — an in-depth look at the silhouette
Grained vs Nubuck Leather Guide — how The Row’s calfskin finishes differ for the Agnes
Suede vs Nubuck Leather Guide — how the two finishes differ in texture, appearance, and durability
Polished vs Matte Grained Leather — how The Row’s calfskin finishes differ
Park Tote Size Guide— how each size carries in daily use
VB Picks — browse more refined statement pieces and standout designer bags
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