Ahem, excuse the Ted Talk...
New, I think The Row is hugely overpriced but it's sort of a convergence of things I want all coming together and not finding it elsewhere. The Ginza sandals are holding up really well though and I wear them loads and I often curse them as they make everything look good. If I'm wearing them and trying something on in a shop I lose a bit of a critical edge as they just finish off an outfit and that quality seems to be quite rare in fashion these days. It's all about prepackaged multilayered total looks instead of one game changer so it makes a single heavy investment feel a little bit more sensible (it totally isn't).
The cashmere is gorgeous, have always thought so but also always felt it was overpriced. The quality is comparable to Johnston's of Elgin, Loro Piana, and Céline but it's better designed imo (Elgin is very traditional so not very exciting, LP is similarly traditional but I'd say feels a bit more luxe in that quintessential Italian way, and Céline can be a bit too oversized for me). Prices hold up well secondhand, I got mine for an absolute bargain, especially considering the condition but I don't usually see them under the €350 mark. If you're in Europe I can vouch for the quality of the The Row items (and other brands) carried at Odetta Vintage, they ask the earth for everything but it's all pretty much brand new but prices are comparable to end of sale prices but they're not the items you'd find in the dregs of sales.
I think the older The Row items weren't as high quality, there was a switch up at some point so if buying secondhand you have to know your labels (I avoid anything with a chain with the label for one, that's from the very early days, after that there's a font difference which is harder to discern, also where things are made), the older stuff tends to go a lot cheaper. The silks are also beautiful but delicate, not sure how confident I'd be buying that secondhand.
Not everything works for me, their 'perfect' white t shirt looks shit, some of the trouser fabrics I'm not keen on and I do think it helps if you're somewhat of an Olsen twin in shape (either petite or very slim or both).
In comparison, Toteme feels a bit like the thing you settle for when you can't afford the Row, if you buy like for like. The jumpers just aren't that instantly satisfying, the trousers are a bit of an odd fit (definitely geared towards tall and straight Scandinavians). The tailoring just isn't that spectacular, a lot of the fabrics are just a touch too thin and show everything, etc. In a sense it's much like The Row that it's hugely overpriced for what it is, but there are some great pieces with originality in between. If I had the Scandinavian tall straight up and down figure I'd be all over their jeans, they have some great jackets. I adore my silk trousers but I'm rarely tempted into anything else by them. Not something I'd be buying blind but that's probably down to not being their default body shape so it's much more high risk. I think Joseph and Raey are the better settle for less than The Row brands and Toteme you need to buy for the more out there styles that really suit you as opposed to their basics which feel just a touch to basic in comparison. St. Agni also has some nice alternatives but as they're Australian you don't see much of their stuff out here. Kujten is a Paris based direct to consumer cashmere brand, I don't own anything but by feel, the more premium priced items feel like they're batting in the same league as the big guns but at their secondhand prices.