Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have never needed a runway to make a fashion statement, and their latest New York appearance offered a strong argument for carrying considerably more than a phone and lipstick.
The 40-year-old twins were photographed together in Manhattan on Tuesday, 8 September, two days before the official start of New York Fashion Week, each carrying a generously proportioned handbag as they left an office building. The rare joint sighting placed the designers' signature understated style back in focus just as the fashion calendar moved into its busiest month.
Their bags were particularly difficult to miss. Ashley carried a large black leather bag from The Row, while Mary-Kate opted for a roomy brown croc-embossed carryall that appeared substantial enough to hold far more than the essentials.
Ashley Goes Big in Black
Ashley kept her outfit almost entirely within a dark, pared-back palette. She wore a black deep-V knit over a white top, straight-leg black jeans, double-strap black slides and oversized angular sunglasses. On her arm was a substantial black leather handbag from The Row.
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen in NYC pic.twitter.com/sVQbQhE5Jr
— 𝓐. (@silkvanille) September 9, 2026
The bag has also been identified as a Margaux from the sisters' own label, one of The Row's best-known handbag families. The Margaux comes in several sizes, including the Soft Margaux 17, which measures 17 by 12 by 10 inches and features belted gusseted side panels. The exact size Ashley carried in the photographs has not been independently confirmed, so it would be unsafe to identify it as a specific Margaux size from images alone.
Her choice fitted comfortably within The Row's approach to accessories, where recognisable branding generally takes a back seat to leather, proportion and construction.
Mary-Kate Doubles Down
Mary-Kate took an even more practical approach to carrying capacity. She wore a loose white T-shirt with a black knit draped across her upper body, long black shorts and sunglasses. Her footwear was notably more archival: navy Yohji Yamamoto x Adidas sneakers from the Spring/Summer 2002 collaboration.
Mary Kate and Ashley…ultimate aura pic.twitter.com/0CjLv5bfO6
— Jake Woolf (@jakewoolf) September 10, 2026
Alongside her brown croc-embossed carryall, Mary-Kate was photographed with a pair of light-wash jeans folded over her arm, effectively turning the outing into a masterclass in dressing for unpredictable September temperatures.
Unlike Ashley's handbag, the brown carryall has not been reliably identified by brand in the strongest available reporting. Calling it simply a croc-embossed brown carryall is therefore more accurate than assigning it an unconfirmed designer or model name.
And enormous handbags are hardly new territory for Mary-Kate. In March 2022, she was photographed in Manhattan carrying two large bags at once, including an oversized Margaux inside-out tote from The Row. The appearance was already being treated at the time as an alternative to the tiny handbag trend.
Big Bags Are Back
Autumn/Winter 2026 collections have produced roomier options across the market, with large carryalls and substantial shoulder bags appearing among the season's key accessory directions. One recent assessment of the season placed the practical 'all-rounder carryall' among its seven principal handbag trends, while other current trend coverage has highlighted roomy shoulder styles and oversized totes.
The Row itself is participating in that shift. Its Brian Tote, an east-west canvas carryall with thick double handles, has emerged as one of the label's notable autumn 2026 bags, while the brand's long-running Park Tote is available in relaxed, spacious shapes including extra-large versions.
That does not make this a clean victory for maxi bags over minis. Small handbags remain prominent for autumn 2026 too, meaning the season is offering both extremes rather than replacing one with the other.
For Mary-Kate and Ashley, however, the choice appears straightforward. Their latest New York outfits prioritised layers, functional footwear and bags that can carry far more than decorative essentials.
