Radley Handbags

[budgetmom]

Hi all, I'm considering to buy a radley bag for this Christmas sale. Is it worth the money? Im after the Beaufort Large tote bag... whats your opinion?
( I was reading the comments on radley handbag threads here on mumsnet and there's a lot of dislike for their bags and no new threads on Radley bags...)

[OneNightTimeMenaceStrikesBack]

radley are very well made and lovely in their own way. if the dogs bother you, they are removable, i removed the one from the radley i have which is a good four or five years old and looks absolutely perfect. i forget what style it is but its really doing well and gets a lot of use. i say go for it fi you really love the bag and sod the nay sayers!

[GlobalTechIndustries]

From some of the radley bags Ive come across they are quite practical and a nice design. From looking at the one your interested in it seems a quite good and practical design with good space to put various items in.

[budgetmom]

Thank you very much for your replies. I'm not a handbag person ...I have issues with my shoulder carrying heavy bags but I really like leather ones. I went to JL and had a look at the exact same model there and the leather is really soft and not heavy or bulky like the other brands.. Thats the main reason why i wanted to go for it... And above all I really like the design and I'm looking for a smart work bag... :) Thank you once again :)

[GlobalTechIndustries]

budgetmom If your after a smart work bag and that can carry your practical items have you considered a laptop style bag on wheels i think the proper name is a cabin bag but im not sure.

[budgetmom]

GlobalTechIndustries Actually no... I just want my bag to go with smart casuals ...also work appropriate.. :)

[budgetmom]

The one thing I don't understand is why Radley bags are considered naff or chav... Is it coz of the dog? But you can very well remove it as OneNightTimeMenaceStrikesBack suggested

[GlobalTechIndustries]

This may Give you more information : www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/a519873-radley-bags-are-they-strictly-for-chavs-now

[GlobalTechIndustries]

Also this thread :
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/944696-radley-bags-cool-or-uncool

[aretheyhavingalaff]

I despise those laptop bags on wheels. They are a danger especially in big cities where people are rushing about.

OP - Radley did have a twee look about them for a while (IMO) but they have really improved their design in the last few years. They have some gorgeous, stylish bags now and the one you linked to looks lovely (haven't seen it in real life).

The link that GlobelTech sent is 8 years old - so really not relevant.

[budgetmom]

Lot of snobs in here

[GlobalTechIndustries]

aretheyhavingalaff Possible not current with the image of the radley bags today, but it does give some insight into why some people consider the bags the way they do.

[budgetmom]

aretheyhavingalaff Oh.. I din't notice the year .... Thanks for the clarification ..Yeah the bag I mentioned is on sale right now... £219 to £153

[budgetmom]

I'm planning to get it in Black

[KickAssAngel]

I've had Radley bags in the past and they last really well. They're very well made.

[TwoCandles]

They are so dated.

[Chottie]

I've recently bought a Radley bag and have been really pleased with it. Plenty of room for all my stuff, plus zipped internal pockets. The leather is lovely and soft too.

[blueistheonlycolourwefeel]

I've got a Radley over body bag that I've had for about 15 years. It's a bit battered but so useful.
I purchased a new handbag from M&S for £90 and it lasted less than a year, so I'm pretty pleased with the longevity of my Radley.

[PlumsGalore]

To say Radley bags are dated is generalising massively. They have a huge amount of styles available. I have three, but I buy them from the outlet store in Batley Mills where they are considerably cheaper.

The only thing I don't like is the dog, so I also remove it. Radley would do well to put their Scotty logo somewhere on the inside or as a tiny brass badge rather than a silly leather tag.

I also have a very plain tan leather purse which is fab, again I hate the purses with the big dogs on the front.

[GoofyTheHero]

I've got three, very plain ones (so dog patterns on the leather at all). The leather is really really soft. One of them (a cross body one) I've had and used regularly for 5 years and it looks as good as new. I haven't bought any of them 'because' they're Radley, but because they're a lovely design and soft, good quality leather.
I've never been called a chav

[Aftertheraincomesthesun]

I have a number of them. Very well made and practical. Wouldn't touch a Mulberry with a barge pole on the other hand

[LittleCandle]

As a friend of mine so memorably said, I have never met a Radley I didn't like! I have several Radleys and love them all. The one I have been using for the last few years is big enough to pile loads of stuff in and since I carry my kindle or a book to work most days, it is perfect for that.If you like the bag, why are you worried about what other people think? Everyone's taste is different and the only person you have to worry about pleasing is you. Go for the bag if you love it!

[SinglePringle]

They are unimaginative and dull to my mind. Too neat and prissy.

[ScarlettDarling]

I've just had a look at that bag, it's lovely. Who cares what the brand is, or if some people think it's naff, the bag is really nice. I quite fancy the grey one for myself!

[AndNoneForGretchenWieners]

I love my Radleys. They are durable, practical and look smart, all the things I want in a work bag. I have a red satchel style that I take on holiday and it's perfect for travelling.

[YesThisIsMe]

They're never going to be really stylish or fashionable because they lack any kind of edge. And the name doesn't have any cachet if you care about that. But I keep coming back to them because a work handbag has to be functional above all else, and Radley do a great range of bags at a moderate price (on a cost per wear basis) that fit what women actually need them for and don't shout Look At Me.