Radley Bags what do you think of them?

[Aeroflotgirl]

Was thinking of getting this bag www.johnlewis.com/radley-grosvenor-medium-leather-shoulder-bag/p3085257

I have just turned 40, would it be considered old and frumpy for me to get a Radley bag. I have had my fair share of not so practicle high end designer bags (Dior, Prada, Gucci, Miu Miu), and haven't been impressed by the lack of practicality and quality. So looking for something different.

Some of the shapes are really nice.

They're definitely not designer though, upper end high street perhaps.

No they aren't designed, but the quality seems so much better than some of my high end designer bags.

I've got a Grosvenor but a different sized one. It was my first Radley bag for years (I live near the Mulberry factory and before they became trendy and insanely priced, I used to fuel my handbag habit via them), as it was so design led. I've always found Radley bags to be well-designed in terms of pockets etc and good quality for the price point, but the majority of them have left me cold in the past. I thought the Grosvenor was a real departure from their usual designs.

I used to buy the limited edition appliquéd ones when I was in my 20s. Had 2 or 3 of them and ebayed them a few years ago - I made more than I'd actually paid for them new!!

I bought myself a lovely pink Radley shoulder bag for Christmas

I like that they look functional and very practical, the only thing is that the leather always looks like pleather to me. But hey it if you like it, who cares what anyone else thinks.

I've got a couple of plain leather ones. Love them. But I do think they age me slightly. Got an orla Keily one for Christmas. It's like Mary poppins handbag!

I have a Grosvenor in a nice dark brown leather. I never thought I would buy a Radley as I generally find them too twee and boxy, but the Grosvenor is lovely shape. If you like it then buy it. Mine lasted really well, I haven't used it for a while because I got bored with it, but it was very sturdy.

I use them for work in a very formal office - not a scotty dog in sight. I like the Grosvenor but personally I'd find it too casual in style for work and wouldn't want it in black for leisure. But if that doesn't apply to you...

I love the Grosvenor, and the large one is my absolute favourite every-day bag. They haven't had doggie bits on them for years.

I have always been a sucker for a good, slouchy satchel style, and I really like the shape, the fact that it hangs perfectly from the shoulder (and at a pinch if I really need to I can crossbody it), the pockets, the quality of the leather, the size... My perfect bag.

I loved them 15 years ago not so much now. There's some nice ones without the dog and they stand up to some harsh treatment.

Frumpy. But if you like it.

I have a medium purple Grosvenor and love it. The smooth leather boxy ones though I don't like.

It comes down to how they're worn I think. The boxy ones with dog tag and no shoulder strap I often see on the arm crook of women wearing sensible black shoes, bootcut jeans and a Regatta anorak. If you pair a Grosvenor with some nice jeans, ankle boots and a blazer or leather jacket they look great.

Twee and dull. My 60+ mother has one.

And the scotty dogs are awful.

Bought quite a few over the years, excellent quality but have got rid of the coloured ones (pink, green, light blue etc), like the more classic colours, black, navy, tan, s they are much more practical, have a small suitcase suitable for on the plane, but rarely use it due to it being so heavy, even when empty

ToddlerTea May I ask what you mean by Mary Poppin's Handbag?! I'm currently trying to decide between an Orla Kiely or Radley bag :) x

It's a nice bag, but Iv never seen the point in spending over £20 on a handbag??

I mean all you do is chuck your purse, makeup, tampons etc in it.
Nobody cares what make it is only yourself.
Iv got £10 newlook bags still going strong after 15 years.

It just seems awfully expensive for what it is.

anon, you will be shocked about how much my other bags are, the Radley Grosvenor bag is dirt cheap in comparison.

They did use to be twee IMHO but now they have some really nice classic shapes in good quality leather. I would get it if you like it OP.

I dislike Radley with a passion, but I must say that the Grosvenor is not bad at all and looks functional and a nice shape that will fit under the arm neatly.

I can't explain my dislike of them other than when I see a woman with one (especially the dog tag ones) she more often than not looks a bit middle management Oooh-I'm-mad-me-what-am-I-like

But then I am a raging snob, sometimes.

*It's a nice bag, but Iv never seen the point in spending over £20 on a handbag??

I mean all you do is chuck your purse, makeup, tampons etc in it.
Nobody cares what make it is only yourself.
Iv got £10 newlook bags still going strong after 15 years.

It just seems awfully expensive for what it is.*

Can you come and be my personal bag shopper - they sound great!!

I got fed up buying real leather bags on the high street (eg Aldo, River Island) for around the £50-80 mark, and the zip breaking or similar after a year. I was having to buy a new bag every 12 months - I didn't want a bloody new bag, and they'd stopped making the one I had, so now I had to bag hunt all over again (and at that price point it would have cost almost as much as the bag itself to get repaired!)

I need a bag to be:

• sturdy
• real leather
• hold a laptop and a4 files
• cross body
• big enough to hold the other stuff I need to cart around (umbrella, tote bag, makeup bag, sunglasses, headphones, spare iPhone battery pack)
• zip up so can't be easily pick pocketed on the tube
• easily accessible external pockets so I don't have to go rummaging for my keys or oyster card
• pocket for my phone (see above)
• at least one zip up pocket for assorted bumph (gum, lip balm, pen)

High St bags just never withstood more than a year of daily use - usually it was the zip that would give out

I relented and sprung for an investment bag. I didn't want a designer bag - just one that was insanely good quality that I could send back for mending if needed

£600 lighter my Mulberry Roxanne satchel is still going strong 8 years later. It's paid for itself easily because I spent more on shitty bags that fell apart. And it still looks awesome - actually even better now it's a bit weathered

I'd love to know of any really great high st bags that will withstand daily use in case anything ever happens to my beloved back (it's been discontinued!!)

My Radley was less than a tenner (admittedly in a charity shop). I got it as it was leather I liked the shape and colour, the make is insignificant. No clue how old it is but it's still functioning and no visible wear and tear.

I've three Mulberry bags (also less than a tenner, well ok free) one is a small pocket on a strap type thing. About 30 years old - in brilliant condition. The other two are about 15 years old - clasps broken, attachments to straps broken, altogether quite poorly made and no better than a River Island bag. Mulberry cost €€€€ new don't they?

My M&S sixty quid weekend bag has withstood years of hard beating and is looking better than ever in a slouchy kind of way. Boxy Margaret Thatcher bags will never last as long.

I have a navy Bloomsbury that I have never used. I think it's the most expensive bag I have bought. I like the look of the Grosvenor though

I have a few Radley bags, the poppy field being my favourite, and they do wear well.

I have the Grosvenor and it's a fantastic bag. Very practical and comfortable to wear - go for it. Highly recommended. It will last you for years.