Thank you to all of you guys who have requested this review and waited patiently for it! Unfortunately even though I love this bag I haven’t used it very much so I didn’t think I could give it a fair review. But I’m not sure when I’d be consistently using this bag and the fact that I haven’t really used it might be a great data point as well. So without further ado…

As some of you may recall I got this for my birthday back in March (via my favorite Japanese reseller Brandear), so it’s been in my possession for at least a good two months or so. And since then I’ve used it one and a half times. The first time I used it I just threw in my essentials and took it for errands. I wanted to use it so I used it, though the whole time I was thinking I really don’t need a bag this big for just my essentials (all my stuff was kind of just rattling around in there).

The second time, I’m counting it as a half because even though I filled it up with all the things I needed (including my laptop this time), I didn’t actually get out the door with it. I filled it with the things I needed to work, carried it to the door and it was just too heavy. So I took it all out and put it in my large Park Tote from The Row instead.

And that’s when I realized I can’t really use this bag for what I originally intended to use it for (which was for work stuff). Yes I can fit my 13” laptop in there (with its case), but once I put that in, the bag is just way too heavy for me to carry it by hand. And it doesn’t quite go over my shoulder (I mean it does but once something heavy is in it, it just kind of slides right off because the straps don’t go over my shoulder fully—it just perches on the edge of my shoulder).

I just don’t think this kind of bag is suited for me. I have weak arms and need to carry anything heavy on my shoulder (backpacks are ideal for heavy items). So for a bag this big, if I were to fully utilize it, I guess it would mean I carry my essentials plus a couple sweaters and that’s it lol. I don’t think I could ever use it as a carry-on (even if I could put it on a roller bag), especially since I still love and still use my Everlane Weekend Transit Bag (it’s light, it can fit over the handles of a suitcase, it can get dirty). I’m just not a chic traveler that can get away with a Margaux as a personal item—at least not with a kid.

Because I can’t hand-carry heavy bags, I could never carry an Hermes Birkin 35 either. And just to add my two cents between the Margaux vs. Birkin debate, I personally think if you actually like the look of the Birkin, nothing is going to compare to it. However if you think the Birkin is a hyped-up status symbol (lol sorry to all the Birkin lovers out there), then I think the Margaux makes a compelling replacement because 1) The Margaux is lighter because it’s lined in canvas, 2) The Margaux is easier to get in and out of and for some people it can go over the shoulder, 3) The Margaux 10 and 12 come with a shoulder strap, 4) The Margaux is cheaper, 5) The Margaux design is more modern, 6) And you don’t have to play games to buy it. The only thing I think the Birkin has going for it is the fact that it can be repaired in perpetuity and it can be resold at a higher price. I think if The Row ever set up a repair program then it can give Hermes a run for its money. {September 2024 edit: After seeing how some Margaux bags in saddle leather wear over time, I think the Birkin would be the better buy after all since those bags wear better over time).

Anyway back to The Margaux 15: I really love the look of the bag and the loveliness of the saddle leather but I just don’t find it practical for my particular lifestyle. The saddle leather is quite delicate and scratches easily (like the Barenia Fauve used by Hermes or the veg-tanned leather from Mansur Gavriel). As for this bag, since I got this secondhand from Japan there was a couple scratches on the front. So I used my favorite Leather CPR to try to buff them out. I had some nail biting moments (see the streakiness and darkening of the leather), but luckily it dried well and the scratches are less noticeable.

The things I like about the Margaux include the impeccable craftsmanship, the really high quality leather, the rolled handles, the canvas lining with zipper and flat pockets, and the fact that the side buckles that can be undone to fit more as well as give it a more casual and floppy look, along with its overall simple style. I should also mention here that even though there are feet under the bag, because the bag is so large and floppy the feet don’t actually protect the bottom of the bag. So you still have to be careful where you set this bag down.

So where does this leave me? In all honesty I’m probably going to be letting go of this Margaux 15. I think for my preferences, something like the Margaux 10 or 12 would be better suited for me since those sizes come with a crossbody shoulder strap. Or maybe I’m just a Park Tote kind of gal. If you’re interested you can find my other reviews for The Row here.

P.S. I made a video of what fits inside the Margaux 15.

P.P.S. One of my favorite bag makers/reviewers just recently posted about the Margaux bag here (but you do have to take her reviews with a grain of salt since she never actually owns or uses the bags, just looks at the construction).

{August 2024 Update: I’ve since sold this bag, but I just wanted to add to this review that I’ve seen a couple Margaux bags in saddle leather that haven’t held up well. I think if you put a lot of heavy things in the bag (as you’re wont to do for such a big bag) the middle starts sagging and the leather sides start getting floppy and lean in (not in a good way). I don’t know if the pebbled leather versions would do this since that kind of leather tends to be more durable. But the thin saddle leather can definitely get stretched out and wonky.}

{October 2024 Update: I just wanted to add this update because I’ve been seeing a lot of fake Margaux bags out there. And some of these fakes are pretty good so buyers beware. I only have experience with a fake Park Tote but a lot of it still applies to the Margaux. Bags should not have extra thick or wonky leather edging, the leather shouldn’t look shiny for the grained leather (the leather used in most of the fakes I’ve seen thus far), and the silver foil logo shouldn’t be too shiny (but I’ve also seen fakes with the indented lettering without the metal foiling). Honestly these bags are easy to fake so please be extra careful when purchasing and ensure there’s a return policy (because NGL some of these you won’t be able to tell they’re fake until you touch the leather). I would also be extra wary of the Margaux 10 in black pebbled leather since that’s the one I’ve seen the most fakes of. Honestly all these fakes are diluting the market and making me not want the bag as much anymore.}