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Original poster

Are Radley bags really so awful?

141 replies

HarrySnotter · 04/04/2013 17:24

DH bought me this bag for my birthday. I actually really love it but a 'friend' (work colleague really) has informed me that Radley are totally naffola and that everyone will now think I have no taste.

I don't normally give a toss what other people think of what I like or if I have taste or not (I probably don't!) but I'm actually a little hurt because DH put a lot of thought into it and got me one he knew I'd like. Which I do. I don't really know why I'm bothered, I suppose I just feel that she's pissed on my chips a bit. Sad

www.radley.co.uk/rockland-broad-large-workbag

OP posts:
LovingTheSunshine · 04/04/2013 21:12

I have 2 Radley bags & have had nice comments :) Your links don't work on my iPad...shame as I would have liked to have a noses!!

AnnoyingOrange · 04/04/2013 21:24

www.johnlewis.com/radley-rockland-leather-business-bag/p378164

It's this one, but in green

olivertheoctopus · 04/04/2013 21:28

Ooooh, pretty! Your 'friend' is a bitch. Ignore her.

StiffUpperLimp · 04/04/2013 21:28

You've got a lovely DH - what a lovely, elegant bag. There is soooo much bag snobbery these days but that is a gorgeous bag. All of this designer nonsense is like the emperor's new clothes - very ordinary things sold to people who really need to spend a lot of money on a "name".

Figgygal · 04/04/2013 21:32

Well of radley is naff I am queen of naff I have wallets, special edition picture bags, a laptop bag/trolley case, watch and have numerous bags.

Not so keen on their marketing these days and do think they've diluted the brand with Wellies, shoes, watches etc but I still love them

RFLmum · 04/04/2013 21:36

Lovely bag. Silly friend. Let me smugly suggest that to dismiss an entire brand rather than commenting on whether she likes the season or not just shows that she's a label snob - not a fashion expert.

Dilidali · 04/04/2013 21:52

Ooh, I love Radley bags and purses! I've got several, they are my special treats to myself. They're not ostentatious and the quality is very good. The first Radley purse I ever got is now over 10 years old, it is in perfect condition although used for about 5-6 years.
I love the one your DH chose for you, very elegant and practical, I would be proud to wear it! X

sallysparrow157 · 04/04/2013 22:21

I have 3 Radley bags - a small handbag I've had for about 7 years and used regularly which is a bit scuffed, a bigger handbag which is about 3 years old and looks like new despite being chucked around and taken out in the rain many times and a 5 yr old work bag which is awfully mistreated, used daily, crammed full of vast quantities of random shit and looks like new apart from being a bit scuffed on the bottom (oh, and the lining being a little stained due to dissolved boiled sweet!)
All have had loads of compliments, a colleage took photos of the big handbag as he really wanted to get his wife one, all are great quality, in my opinion far nicer classic and non-dating shapes than a lot of the really expensive desirable brands.
I really like the little dog tag (but I am very childish and fond of animals on clothes and so on to be fair, a while ago there was a post on S&B asking if a cat-print dress was too young for the poster, I bought 2 and have worn them to death!) but the dog is removable on all of my bags (have lent them to my mum who has always taken the dog off!)

Sallystyle · 04/04/2013 22:26

I had to google as the links don't work.

I love it!!

I like what I like, regardless of the make and it's a lovely bag.

Bag snobs can kiss my backside Wink There newer range is lovely.

Sallystyle · 04/04/2013 22:27

Their* Blush

abbyfromoz · 04/04/2013 22:31

I have always thought Radley to be a little overrated but i really like the bag your DH got you. Ignore your mean colleague.

FamiliesShareGerms · 04/04/2013 22:31

My very first handbag aged 20 was a Radley bag (before the Scotty dig was on everything) and I still love them. ignore your friend and enjoy your bag

Original poster
HarrySnotter · 04/04/2013 22:36

Oh you lot really are a lovely bunch. Smile. I've decided that I don't care what someone like that thinks, I LOVE MY BAG. And you've made some very nice comments about DH, he really is the very loveliest man. If I told you that he put a wee poem in the bag before he gave it to me would that be too vomit inducing?

OP posts:
abbyfromoz · 04/04/2013 22:43

Awwww that is seriously adorable! Hehehehehe

Bambalam · 04/04/2013 22:57

Does this 'friend' go on holiday to Turkey often? They sell Prada there for about a tenner.

Back to the point, she is unkind for saying that to you and is probably jealous that your husband has been so thoughtful. The most important thing is that you like it. I think some of the 'naffness' reputation with Radley is that it exploded when it came out which can take the edge off popularity IYSWIM.

Selks · 04/04/2013 23:00

I like that bag, the colour is gorgeous.

Please do say the moustache thing OP! Grin She totally deserves it, the cow.

Selks · 04/04/2013 23:01

Lovely about the poem too - what a wonderful present (and DH Smile)

peacefuleasyfeeling · 04/04/2013 23:09

I think your bag is lovely. My favourite bag is a Radley bag, and I have it in 3 colours Grin, and I now feel replete; no need for any other bags ever.

You're right, your colleague is being mean for the sake of it, how very dare she say something like that about such a lovely gift!? Boo hiss.

DisappointedHorse · 04/04/2013 23:14

I love that bag OP! I've been considering buying a Mulberry Bayswater but I think I actually prefer this one.

Ridley bags tend to be lovely, soft leather.

youjusthaventearnedityetbaby · 04/04/2013 23:14

Lovely bag!
Your colleague is jealous (and so am I Envy )
Enjoy your present and use it with pride!
:)

SanctiMOMious · 04/04/2013 23:17

I like them! I like what I like - not what I'm supposed to like. Wine, music, handbags...

EmpressMaud · 04/04/2013 23:17

It looks fairly nice to me, though I'd cut off the dog tag, personally (being the thing I dislike about Radley).

SanctiMOMious · 04/04/2013 23:18

your husband put a poem in the bag for you!? oh bless. I'd rather have a nice husband than a nice handbag to be honest (and you have both)

Bartlebee · 04/04/2013 23:24

I have a messenger style radley, but mumsnet put me off it with all the talk of it being an old lady bag.

I do think they're quite nice really (even if my mum & mil have them) and so reasonably priced. The twee dog would always have to go though.

SanctiMOMious · 04/04/2013 23:31

Bag snobbery is scary! i do remember it from when I was in an office. I'm a bit out of that now. tbh that's why i'd stick with mid ranged brands like fossil and radley. You're getting leather, and a classic design and they usually have a range of designs. So you aren't being caught up in some emperors clothes bullshit like 'oh it's the baguette' or some such nonsense. you are just getting a bag that you like at a sane price and not being ripped off. does naffola mean that you knwo what you like and haven't paid 10 times too much for that?

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