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Alexander McQueen The Bow review: worth it or skip?

Consider7.5/10 research score

Quick answer

Consider it, if you want sculpture. Why: bow-shaped flap bag. The catch: small.

By Opulique Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

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Alexander McQueen The Bow

Our verdict on the Alexander McQueen The Bow

Buy it if
you want sculpture.
Skip it if
you want classic.
Best for
Sculptural
Key feature
Bow-shaped flap bag
Typical price
$2,300–$2,800
Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

MaterialCalfskin
Size25 x 16 x 7 cm
HardwareSilver-tone
Made inItaly

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

  • you want sculpture
  • value distinctive
  • can spend around $2,300–$2,800

Skip it if you

  • you want classic
  • mind this: small

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Distinctive

Cons

  • Small

The verdict in one breath

The Alexander McQueen The Bow is a beautiful piece for the right buyer, not an automatic pick. Its strength: bow-shaped flap bag. Read the skip-if line before you spend.

Reasons to buy

  • Distinctive

Reasons to skip

  • Small

The details that matter

  • Material: Calfskin
  • Size: 25 x 16 x 7 cm
  • Hardware: Silver-tone
  • Made in: Italy

Worth knowing

Statement.

Buy it or skip it?

Consider it if you want sculpture. Skip it if you want classic; the Celine Ava Bag in Triomphe Canvas is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best shoulder bags.

Alternatives worth considering

Celine Ava Bag in Triomphe Canvas

Celine · Shoulder bags

Celine Ava Bag in Triomphe Canvas

Buy it if you want a durable, lighter Celine at a fairer price.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Under-arm classic
Typical price
$2,300–$2,700

Pros

  • Coated canvas is tough
  • Light

Cons

  • Small
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review
Alaia Le Teckel Medium

Alaia · Shoulder bags

Alaia Le Teckel Medium

Buy it if you want a fashion-insider bag.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Sculptural design
Typical price
$2,600–$3,000

Pros

  • Distinctive shape
  • Fine leather

Cons

  • Shape limits contents
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Alexander McQueen The Bow?

Consider it, if you want sculpture. Why: bow-shaped flap bag. The catch: small.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you want classic. The Celine Ava Bag in Triomphe Canvas is the better buy then.

What does the Alexander McQueen The Bow cost?

Usually $2,300–$2,800 in the US. Luxury houses raise prices often, so check the current price before you buy.

Opulique Editorial Team

Part of the Opulique research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Alexander McQueen The Bow: the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Alexander McQueen The Bow worth the money? Short answer: consider it, if you want sculpture. This review explains what this Alexander McQueen piece gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs and which designer shoulder bag to buy instead if it is not right for you.

What the Alexander McQueen The Bow does well

The headline: bow-shaped flap bag. The details: Material: Calfskin; Size: 25 x 16 x 7 cm; Hardware: Silver-tone; Made in: Italy. In our list it is the pick for: sculptural. It usually sells for $2,300–$2,800 in the US.

Statement.

The trade-offs

Good: distinctive. Not so good: small. Read the skip-if line before you spend: skip it if you want classic.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Celine Ava Bag in Triomphe Canvas ($2,300–$2,700): slim baguette in coated canvas with calfskin trim. Better if you want a durable, lighter Celine at a fairer price.

Instead, consider the Alaia Le Teckel Medium ($2,600–$3,000): long, curved shoulder bag inspired by the dachshund. Better if you want a fashion-insider bag.

Instead, consider the Ferragamo Wanda Shoulder Bag ($2,000–$2,500): soft Gancini bag. Better if you want quiet Italian.

Before you buy

Chain or leather strap: chain straps look dressy but dig into the shoulder with a full bag; leather-threaded or wide leather straps are more comfortable. Capacity: check that a phone, wallet, keys and sunglasses fit; many flap bags are smaller inside than they look. Closure: magnetic flaps are quick but less secure than a turn lock or zip for travel and crowded cities.

Buyer tip

If you want an icon from Chanel or Saint Laurent, check the brand’s boutique price first: third-party sellers on Amazon may price above or below retail, and pre-owned can be the smarter buy.

Buying in Europe: European prices include VAT (around 20%), while US prices exclude sales tax, so a bag can look cheaper in Paris or Milan than it really is. Visitors from outside the EU and UK can often claim a VAT refund on purchases made in the EU, which is why many Americans buy Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Hermès while travelling.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.

Buy from the fashion house, an authorized retailer or a reseller that authenticates and guarantees every piece, and keep the receipt, the dust bag, the box and any warranty card: they matter for repairs and for resale. Swiss watches carry a 2- to 5-year international warranty when bought from an authorized dealer, and buyers in the EU and UK also have a legal guarantee of at least two years on new goods.