Radley handbag aversion/confusion

[Saurus72]

Warning: may be offensive to Radley lovers.

I have always had a huge objection to the Radley brand. For me, it represents mumsy, bland, suburban, dullsville bags for people with no style. I'm talking about the ones with the little dogs attached. I hate em with a passion.

Now, imagine my surprise when I was in John Lewis yesterday and I saw an absolutely beeaauutiful bag. I can't find it online anywhere, so can't post a link, but it was a lovely, pared down but not boring design, dark orange design, plain but not bland. It is kind of A4 size, really perfect for work and I think it would be great with pretty much all my work outfits. It is £99, reduced from £189. It doesn't have the dreaded dog on it anywhere at all, but does have 'Radley' written on it in gold on one side, very small though.

I am being ridiculous I know, but how can I buy this bag which is gorgeous when I hate the brand so much? I know, I know, first world problems

I couldn't - the only thing I hate more than branded goods are branded goods from a company I hate - and that would be radley - I hate that bloody dog. Buying bags is a nightmare, I see a nice one and then I see the exterior branding and I go cold.

Brands can reinvent themselves and you can take the dog off

They have stopped doing all those picture appliqué bags and do some good classic designs these days

I like some of these designs

www.radley.co.uk/handbags/

I agree some of the new radley bags are quite covetable...

It makes me feel like I must be getting old if I think Radley is ok

The bloody dogs can eff off though. Tacky wee buggers.

I had a lovely Radley bag one year that had the quietest, most discreet embossed name ever. They do some perfectly nice bags that shouldn't be sullied by the naff appliqué ones.

I know exactly what you mean and agree with every word.

This has happened to me too, OP.

Been slagging that brand off for years. Hate that bloody dog and the stupid babyish twee designs.

But their new ranges with the beautiful plain colours...they're so lovely.

I'm always on the hunt for the perfect plain leather, non-blingy coloured handbag, and those beautiful orange and also the teal ones are just lovely.

Can't quite bring myself...

Sorry I think exactly the same way (glad it isn't just me) and couldn't do it. It would always bug me especially if people asked what brAnd it was. Next thing I would be buying fatface and white stuff!!!

Wasn't mulberry once considered frumpy? Before EVERYONE started liking it? That said, Radley will always be that little dog to me!

Snap OP. I've had an identical experience. Absolutely hate Radley hate the fucking dog tags, hate everything about them.

Then I saw a bag (also in JL) that was actually quite nice. Really nice in fact, great oxblood colour, good shape, very comfortable. Reader I bought it. It's very useful as an everyday bag. It's got Radley in gold on which isn't great, and I'm a bit embarrassed in Waitrose in case people think I'm a Radley person, but then I tell myself to grow the fuck up.

I should also say that I wanted it to go with an oxblood leather coat, and it was the only bag I could find that was the perfect match.

But that would make it sound like I was trying to justify myself wouldn't it?

I've got 3 Radley bags - all Grosvener style. Took the dogs off.

They're fab honest. Really good leather on the ones I've got. Like you I hated the dogs and fun, Lelli Kellie-esque linings and appliqué.

None of the bags I've got have that shit on it.

Get over yourself and buy

I felt like you about Radley.

Then I saw this (minus the tag, obv.) and fell in love.

Then I saw it IRL and it's too bloody small.

So I hate them again.

The cunts.

That's the Grosvener range!

They do it in 4 different sizes, the largest is really big - think mines is about 40 cm across the bottom.

37cm across the widest part and 27cm tall- barely enough room for an A4 notebook, let alone a laptop

You're right, it's not a laptop bag. I can get tons of ordinary stuff in it and an iPad though. It's probably my biggest bag apart from my square Anya one that I do carry folders in.

My friend has a square, structured black Radley bag that she uses for a laptop.

Ha ha, glad I'm not the only one having an existential crisis about the stupid freakin dog and all of the associated twee-ness .

Laurie - yes, I should just get the F over myself!

But then, like you Twinklestein - what if people think I'm a Radley-type person in Waitrose? When I'm actually an Ally Capellino type gal.

I need a rolling eyed smilie, cos that would sum it all up.

I felt exactly the same way and then I saw the large Grosvenor...

A couple of years ago I found a Radley small cross body bag in the most gorgeous orangey red. I have never seen one in that colour since, so think it must have been a discontinued colour esp as it was reduced. It is lovely - perfect size and so well made. I have used it so often and it is like new.

I rate Radley in terms of quality and think you are mad to not buy something you love because it is fron a particular brand (unless your objection is to do with the ethics of the company). You are effectively cutting your nose off to spite your face.

My bag came with the little metal dog, which I gave to my dd to play with. She liked it, so we are both happy

I WANT it to fit. I mean, look at it- it's beautiful. Nothing else in the price range comes close, really.

I might have to go and have another look at it in store...

Louise - you're right, I may be cutting off my nose. But I may also be starting the slide towards suburban, middle aged, middle aged-ness. This is about more than just a handbag, I'm questioning my sense of self .

And I think I'm not really even joking...

I like the Grosvenor range but what happens to those dangly straps when you leave your bag down, don't they get all bent, mangled and untidy looking?

saurus, start worrying if you find yourself drawn to beige, elasticated trousers

Seriously, I do get it. Brands are selling an image of ourselves that we buy into when we choose their product. But it isn't real and buying a particular brand doesn't really say anything about you, as a person, other than that you liked a particular bag. I think it would only say something about you if the bag was hideous and no one could honestly say that about their new range.

Even if you believe that the brand does say something about you, brands do alter their target customers. Fwiw, I think Radley are now trying to target younger women, who want good quality, elegant bags rather than high fashion but quickly dated ones.

I'm not sure I've expressed that very clearly, but hopefully you know what I mean

saurus you could rock Radley and that would be like... so NOT suburban and middle agey but totally cool because you don't care in a sort of self assured kind of way... like

Yep I gave in to the grosvenor, love it and I can hide the dog tag