Radley Bags - are they worth it?

[40thisisit]

Have never ever spent more than £20 on a handbag. Now at the grand old age of nearly 43 feel I need to own a designer one. Keep on receiving sale e-mails from Radley........ are they worth it??

Disclaimer: I ditch the dog pretty early on...though my current one is still on as I have a 'Baby on Board' badge attached to it for the benefit if the tube idiots who like to shove me from behind at 28wks pregnant!

Radley are very 'safe', mainstream 'sensible' bags IMO. Nothing to frighten your MIL.
90% of them are - to my taste- boring and I don't like their tan shade as it's quite orange/ puke looking colour though I did have a messenger- sold on Ebay recently- and a couple of others which are going to be ebayed.
I like more 'squishy' bags whereas most Radleys are quite structured, and I don't 'do' pastels which they are very fond of. I never use them with the dog tag- take it off.

I do think they are quite expensive for what they are though the quality is good.

OP if you want to spend around the price of Radley, have a look at Osprey and Modalu. May not be your taste but both are in the same medium price range.

Oh no, don't ditch the dog
I like mine as it's a tiny charm, rather than a leather shape, which I think they used to be. Having said that, I like my canvas shopper bag with said dog all over it

I don't have any Radley but I do like Oushka bags.

I had a look online and can't understand the hate, the dog charm is a bit naff but there are some really nice styles. I like the Borough Market tote, and the navy multi way grab bag in navy.

My brother bought me a square cross-body radley bag for Christmas, plain design with no dogs. I really like it although the inside 'phone' pocket has come away from the leather which is a shame and not what I'd expect from a more expensive brand.

Good quality that lasts well and I like the designs generally, although I don't like the plain cross body ones.

Mrs juniper - email them, I bet they will replace it.

I have a fair few Radley bags (am early 30s). I also buy leather Radleys. I also have a few DKNY fabric and leather fabric/mix bags which are lovely too.
Things like this all come down to taste. It's a good job we don't all like the same thing or we would all look very being indeed!

*boring

I love the plain Radley bags which only have a small dog decoration on - they are usually a lovely classic shape and good quality. I am not a fan of the really patterned ones at all.

Surely the small dog tag is no different to an obvious logo or other design feature?

But it's 'naff.' Apparently. because someone on MN said so

I've got a medium across body, plain black Radley bag that MIL bought me. I think the quality is shocking for the money, you're definitely paying for a "name". I've got a leather bag from Clarks that was less than half the price yet the quality of the leather is far, far superior. IMO you're better off shopping around.

I think they're quite nice but could never justify spending that much money on a handbag. But if you can afford it and like them then why not? They're no more naff than any other bags.

What is a designer bag, everything is designed! What is the price point when a bag becomes officially designer. If I made a bag and sold it for say £1000 to a very naive friend would she own a designer bag?

"I don't get the mumsnet snobbery about Radley."

Neither do I. MegMurray's post is a classic example.

I don't get snobbery about any "designer" stuff - be it bags, clothes, home furnishings etc. I also don't get why anyone would want to spend a four figure sum on a handbag.

I also think that it says more about the person who judges someone because of the handbag they have than the owner of the handbag.

To me a bag is a bag. It is either functional or pretty or both. I couldn't care less who made it as long as it is good quality.

I am generally oblivious of brands and designers except when a brand might be synonymous of quality or if it is so ubiquitous (Apple for example) that you can't avoid it.

I said the dog tags were naff not the bags........

I have a Radley purse and it's really good quality. Really pleased with it. I can't spend lots in a bag - I'm not careful enough and £1k on a bag is just nuts to me. I think there's 2 levels of designer bags - one is the type op and I would look at (under £300 but good quality and not just from next or tesco) and designer like mulberry and chanel. It's not the same market.

I really like this Radley bag as to me it's classic and beautiful
m.johnlewis.com/mt/www.johnlewis.com/radley-chelsea-medium-leather-shoulder-bag/p2037409?colour=Navy&un_jtt_v_pdp=yes&un_jtt_v_from_product=un_product_52#page_loaded

Radley do some really classic shapes but the tiny dog makes it identifiable so you can see it's not just a £20 bag.

I'm very much a lover of bags but I chose a bag then look at the price tag before deciding whether to buy it. Find a bag you love and buy it rather than choosing one because others have that brand.

I'm in the west country so got my purse stupidly cheap in the Radley outlet in Street. Clearly it's not the latest season but I've never cared about that.

Oh goodness me people are quick to stomp on the OP and shout 'not designer'

40. I have two cross body Radley handbags I've had for 10 years which are still going strong and in pretty good condition. I've a briefcase style handbag which has travelled all over with me, weighed down with laptop papers and stuffed under plane seats which looks barely used.

I have a selection of smaller Radleys which I use occasionally most if which look brand new.

I haven't had any problems with stitching, or zips or handles coming loose and the leather looks good on them all.

For all the handbag snobs out there, I can afford a Mulberry without a problem, I just prefer to spend money elsewhere. Many people do...

Cumbrae that's exactly how I feel. I'm 33.
quite frankly I've very strong feelings of I love a bag or not so don't care if I'm "naff" - bit like music mags trying to be so cool and only liking cool music saying Taylor swift is naff - don't care, love her!
I have a floozie bag that I'm pretty sure it's really tacky but I saw it across the store and wanted it so I've got through all that and stopped caring.

I have a soft leather tote, it is good quality and I use it as an everyday handbag. I prefer it to my Coach 'statement' bag.