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 have the large Grosvenor that IDugUp has linked to, in the same dark brown colour. I never thought I would buy a Radley as they are generally too over decorated for me, but I like this one a lot. It has a small leather tag sewn on near the bottom of the back of the bag so it's not obvious that it's a Radley, although the design is quite unique so anyone who knows bags would know it's Radley (if you're bothered by what other people think).

So far it's been hard wearing and very useful, I find the strap is very comfortable on my shoulder even when the bag is heavy.

Diamond - I think maybe that's my plan. I could also like totally hang out in Top Shop WITH my Radley bag! To totally prove I'm not old. I could also miss a payment on my pension. Now hold on a minute, that's totally one step too far...

I have a beautiful Radley bag that everyone comments on which is very chic and understated - the tag remains in the bag. See past your prejudices

Suburban, can you fit an A4 folder in it comfortably? Is there room for other stuff too?

But saurus you're missing the point. You don't have to prove you're not old... You don't care you're THAT cool!!!

I wasn't really planning on hanging out in Top Shop with the Radley bag

Ditto missbeehiving, I get so many compliments on mine. It's very understated and it was exactly what I was looking for. The dog in question stays tucked in though...

I think an A4 folder would be a very tight fit I think. I have just put a magazine in to see and it does go but there wasn't much room in the width of the bag.

That Grosvenor bag is gorgeous. Does anyone know where I could get one like it but in grey/charcoal?

Think of it this way OP. You wouldn't buy an ugly bag from the 'right' brand so what's wrong with buying a gorgeous bag from the 'wrong' brand as long as the branding doesn't show? Obvious branding is a pet hate of mine anyway and those stupid dogs look ridiculous.

I'd also love one large Grosvenor in grey

Do you like the bag? If yes, buy it. If no don't buy it. To not buy a bag you love because you have a prejudice against against the brand is nonsense. I have bags from radkey, biba, mulberry, next, Dorothy Perkins and quirky little local traders. All bought because I loved them. Had i not loved them i wouldn't have bought them. Whether they were the 'right' brand never entered the equation. Its very simple. So I ask again "do you like the bag?"

Could you buy it and add a twilly or scarf that covers the upsetting word?

Dazzling - I do like the bag. The gold Radley on the side spoils it.
Property - good idea, except it's right in the middle under the handle, so can't really see what I could do. Am planning to go and see it again next week, and will go with gut feel. Thanks for all the input.

Buy the bag and turn it round?
Only you can decide this one. Do you love the bag enough that the radley won't bother you? That's the call you have to make. Is it just the dog? Or something else? I like their plain bags not so keen on the ones with lots of dogs printed on. I do have a couple though. My hubby went out and bought me 4 (yes that's 4) radley bags in one go. 1 cross body pocket bag and 3 printed with those bloody dogs. I managed to salvage the situation by saying that perhaps I was a little over dogged and took two back. Anyway, that's beside the point and doesn't help you at all!

I can't see the point of spending a hundred quid on something you're not sure about, myself.

The only place I see Radley bashing is on these threads.
I have a navy medium pocket bag. I removed the dog. It's great quality and works well for work and weekends.
I also want the tan grosvenor bag.
If you like it, buy it.

So, did you get the bag? Enquiring minds need to know

No, I didn't buy the bag! I went back to see it in JL and decided against it.

Since posting on this thread, I got a second hand tan Grosvenor and it's bloody lovely.

What I'm planning to do the next time I go to Bicester Village is look in the Radley shop (never ventured in before), to see if there are any similar bags without the branding on the outside. The quality of the Radley bags I looked at in JL seemed great, it's just the gold 'Radley' on the outside...

Ooh tethers, how fab!

Hope you can get enough stuff in it

Mine have worn really well.

I like Radley, but I'll know I'm getting old if I start coveting Tula bags (same maker, same lovely leather, very mumsy designs)

That's a shame but it has to be right for you. Hope you find something lovely soon.