Male here looking for bag advice - Radley?

[siouxchief]

Hi,

I am looking to buy my wife a bag as a treat and saw a lady on the train today with a bag I thought looked good. I tracked it down and it is this one below in slate colour which I think looks really refined and classy.

www.radley.co.uk/ebury-medium-multi-compartment-tote/

I then started reading that a lot of people don't like this brand so I am having second thoughts in case people will think it is chavy or not classy enough when she takes it to work. She works as a solicitor in central London.
I can afford to spend 4-500 if needs be but the other more expensive brands I have seen seem to have a bit too much going on where as I like the simple look of this.

Any advice?

Thanks

[deepdarkwood]

What other clothing brands does she like? We need a bit of a steer so we can guess her taste.

I think that's a nice, simple, classic bag, but would personally not buy a Radley as the dog makes me irrationally stabby ;-)

[FoxFeatures]

If you are happy to pay a little more, what about this one? I'm not too keen on Radley.
www.kurtgeiger.com/croc-london-tote-pink-leather-no-size-kurt-geiger-london-accessory.html

[keely79]

The issue some people have with Radley is that it can be a bit cutesy - with tags shaped like dogs. That looks nice though.

Have you looked at Coach? I really like their designs and they're quite simple. I personally would go for a bag which also has a shoulder strap if she's commuting into London - can be easier if hands can be free.

She's a lucky lady!

[HooseRice]

Selfridges or House Of Fraser voucher, that way she can have fun choosing her own back. Maybe tell her you'll take her for a boozy lunch afterwards to celebrate the purchase

[HooseRice]

Back = fancy bag

[siouxchief]

Well, she isn't massively into brands but only recently have we had the spare cash to be treating herself but she would prefer a classic look rather than blingy. She did just buy this jacket if it gives you some idea of her style.

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZA0VDEW?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

She is 36 too if that makes a difference and the only expensive things she has I probably have treated her to them like a pair of black louboutins.

Cheers

[Indecisivejo]

That bag you linked to is lovely, very simple and elegant. I've had radley bags and have had no issues with them they are good quality not overpriced and last well. Would that one be big enough for everything she would need to put in there? If so I would defo go for that one and I'm sure she will be over the moon.

[foragogogo]

I agree with Coach - I got a nice everyday one there.

I also would be a bit disappointed with a Radley - I find them a tad "mumsy"

I am very impressed with your research accuracy though :)

I think go for a different brand or let her choose her own on a shopping trip for her birthday - or House if Fraser vouchers are a very good idea as they have a nice selection of bags (though I got my Coach one from John Lewis www.johnlewis.com/browse/women/handbags/coach/_/N-fjgZ1z13qp9

[Indecisivejo]

If she's not particularly into brands though buying a coach etc is not going to impress her! I think she will will be happy enough that her husband has put a lot of effort into choosing one for her and the one he has chosen is actually very nice.

[MissyMaker]

I'm really not keen on the Radley brand. Not sure why though

I would 3rd Coach being a really good brand. Am sure that for your budget you will find something lovely.

How about this Bally bag? www.bally.co.uk/en_gb/shop-woman/bags/shoulder-bags/ballyssime-extra-small-womens-leather-tote-in-rosehaze-6204884.html#start=1

[Costacoffeeplease]

I think it's lovely - but I like Radley bags, I have several, they're well made and not over priced

I'm not keen on coach, all those blingy chains

[Costacoffeeplease]

Not keen on the shape or the colour of the Bally one - the op was going for slate grey

[srtajuanita]

Russell and Bromley? I received my first smart one from there and was delighted!

Modalu are a "younger" alternative to Radley. My M in law LOVES Radley. 'Nuff said ..

Well Done, OP

[outputgap]

Hi, Coccinelle do plain, grown up, good quality bags, without the stab-making dog of Radley!

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Coccinelle+Bags+Luggage+Handbags/BRAND_COCCINELLE_193,default,sc.html

Whistles often have nice plain but stylish bags too.

Keep the receipt anyway.

[siouxchief]

Thanks all for the suggestions and links. Difficult at work looking at womens bags :-) as they will begin to think I am called Diane at weekends or something but i did check one or two. Coach looks promising and I liked this Kurt Geiger one

www.kurtgeiger.com/saffiano-london-tote-grey-saffiano-leather-kurt-geiger-london-accessory.html

Are Kurt Geiger up there with Coach for when i do more googling tonight?

Thanks

[siouxchief]

The KG one I like in grey by the way. think guys go for more subdued colours...

[seoulsurvivor]

I'd second HooseRice and get a voucher. If she's going to take the bag every day, it's going to annoy her if it's not exactly what she wants. Personally I'd be delighted with a voucher and a shopping trip so I could buy exactly what I wanted.

I like the jacket you linked so maybe we have similar style. And I really don't like Radley. My mum always buys me massively reduced ones from Debenhams and I never use them.

[FoxFeatures]

I have that KG bag, though not in grey. It is fabulous and is often commented on by people.

[HarrietVane99]

I like the KG one. It has a shoulder strap; as pp said, it's useful to have handsfree. And it looks big enough for tablet, folding brolly, and so on. No good having something too small for everything you want to carry. Plus the grey co!our and simple style look professional if she takes it to meetings.

[Thegreenninja]

Is she into bags? I'd be gutted if my DH bought me an expensive bag as I don't see the point of them,I'd rather have a new iPad or something. I have an Hermes purse that is still in its box because I don't like the colour! If you are at all unsure, I'd go down the route of vouchers so she can pick something for herself.

[keely79]

I wouldn't go "high street" on brand given her job. So no to the Kurt Geiger given that it says it on the outside and you can clearly read it. And stick to subdued colours. Agree Mulberry is safe choice but a little overpriced now I think.

Another mid-priced brand to check out could be Michael Kors.

[srtajuanita]

Sorry, PP, but in snobby circles (not that anyone up thread is) Michael Kors are seen as a bit downmarket.

City girls I know carry Smythson, LK Bennett, Coach, Kate Spade, Mulberry and Anya Hindmarch.

[stumblymonkey]

I work in the City and second/third/whatever that Radley isn't a brand that women in the City would generally go for...although I have to say that particular bag in slate grey IS nice.

I would definitely go for the KG bag or as previous posters have said LK Bennett or a voucher with a celebratory meal.

LK Bennett would be the preferable choice as its the most classic brand of the the three.