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Original poster

Male here looking for bag advice - Radley?

61 replies

siouxchief · 11/02/2016 11:10

Hi,

I am looking to buy my wife a bag as a treat and saw a lady on the train today with a bag I thought looked good. I tracked it down and it is this one below in slate colour which I think looks really refined and classy.

www.radley.co.uk/ebury-medium-multi-compartment-tote/

I then started reading that a lot of people don't like this brand so I am having second thoughts in case people will think it is chavy or not classy enough when she takes it to work. She works as a solicitor in central London.
I can afford to spend 4-500 if needs be but the other more expensive brands I have seen seem to have a bit too much going on where as I like the simple look of this.

Any advice?

Thanks

OP posts:
stumblymonkey · 11/02/2016 12:15

And I echo a 'no' to Michel Kors. It was fine until everyone started buying it a year or so ago...

stumblymonkey · 11/02/2016 12:32

I'd consider this DKNY one since the logo is small

m.houseoffraser.co.uk/DKNY+Rubberised+leather+dark+grey+tote+bag/227794541,default,pd.html

keely79 · 11/02/2016 12:40

No offence taken - I have a coach and a Ferragamo as my day to day bags plus a Mulberry for the summer. Don't actually own any Michael Kors but work in the city myself and wouldn't have an issue if I saw someone carrying one.

HarrietVane99 · 11/02/2016 12:45

Do professional women really spend time in meetings clocking what bags other women have, and judging them for it? It sounds a bit ... teenage.

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 11/02/2016 12:46

The Kurt Geiger one is much nicer than the Radley.

Original poster
siouxchief · 11/02/2016 12:51

Thanks all for the suggestions and to answer some peoples questions she tends to have a bag that doesnt go on her shoulder and is maybe a foot wide which she just carries by her side. I wouldn't say she is massively inot bags but like most women would like something nice.

Those DKNY and LK Bennett ones look good and I like the grey for something different to black. I will also check out this list Smythson, Kate Spade and Anya Hindmarch

OP posts:
potap123 · 11/02/2016 12:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NisekoWhistler · 11/02/2016 12:58

You sound lovely OP. I hope you manage to find one she loves.
I vote for LK Bennett handbags every time and I think if I remember correctly their returns policy is good.

DragonRojo · 11/02/2016 12:59

I also work in the City and for that budget, I would go for LK Bennett. I think Smythson are very nice, but unless you grab a sale, they tend to be around £850

IAmNotDarling · 11/02/2016 13:06

potap123 I spend a lot of time dealing with City types on their own turf and always feel insecure about my clothing and accessories.

Fuck 'em though. I buy practical and classic.

OP - your DW is very lucky. My DH would just snoop on my google history.

PutDownThatLaptop · 11/02/2016 13:10

Wow....up here in the Midlands, Radley is seen as a lovely, quality brand by all my colleagues (legal higher education).

CaptainWarbeck · 11/02/2016 13:10

I know nothing about bags or solicitors but I think the amount of thought you're putting into this is lovely and I bet your wife will be thrilled with her present.

PS despite your first pick being rather nice, still don't go for Radley, I don't know why but I don't like it as a brand either!

songbird · 11/02/2016 13:23

For myself even £50 is too much on a handbag, but I do love ogling handbag porn and love these threads. The Radley one is lovely, very understated and I love slate grey, but I just couldn't stop my top lip curling at 'Radley'. Not sure why, I think it is the Scottie dog (even though that one hasn't got one!). I love the LK Bennett ones.

mrsmortis · 11/02/2016 13:23

Obviously I'm the exception that proves the rule. My black every day shoulder bag is a Radley. But it's one of the more classic ones and the little dog hides inside. I've also had it for about a decade and you'd never know. It's held up really well. I work in the City on and off (I'm in IT and I follow my projects around) but I do work mainly with guys so I'm not in competition with anyone on the handbag front.

I would definitely get another one, though I don't think I'd pay full price. There's an outlet store at Freeport that I'd use.

HarrietVane99 · 11/02/2016 13:24

potap, I can see that having good quality accessories is part of presenting a professional appearance. It was the suggestion that people judge what brand of bag someone has, when it's just a matter of fashion, not quality, that surprised me.

stumblymonkey · 11/02/2016 19:54

I don't check out other women's and bags and judge them on it at all....I only judge myself...which probably isn't any better Confused

I guess I don't like to wear/use something that everyone has...but I would never judge someone else for the same thing.

sleepwhenidie · 11/02/2016 20:16

OP Do you think she might prefer a small cross body bag to a bigger one then (could use both if necessary but small one good for weekends or evenings? There are some gorgeous higher end designer ones like this for your budget, eg Balenciaga or Chloe below...

Balenciaga

Chloe, bit of a classic

this is lovely too, would look great with the coat you linked

boodles · 11/02/2016 20:31

Mimi berry

Original poster
siouxchief · 12/02/2016 13:03

Just in case people are curious I eventually went for this one. I will keep the receipt in case she wants something else though.

uk.coach.com/coach-designer-handbags-prairie-satchel-in-pebble-leather/34340+LIFOG.html

Thanks all

OP posts:
TSSDNCOP · 12/02/2016 19:38

Good choice OP. Radley and Michael Kors are beyond naff.

pixelchick10 · 12/02/2016 19:49

I really like Radley and that bag you linked to is classy and classic

simonettavespucci · 12/02/2016 19:58

Nice choice!! (Though I don't work anywhere near the city, so am not qualified to judge in this case. I do have a coach bag though, which I love.)