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.

I have the small Millbank, and another Radley bag from a few years ago. I think they're great quality, perhaps not the most exciting bags. Maybe not as trendy as others now and yes the name is an old one, but I'd take that over some of the fashion brands that exist out there that fall apart after 6months.

I'm not middle management and definitely not thinking I'm showing a crazy side from the little charm. I just think I'm someone who likes the style of handbag and the blue colour - and I'd rather not spend money on a Chanel ones.

The Radley site had a big sale on a few weeks ago - check there before buying from JL

I am middle management but since my small Hardwick is the most plain, unadorned and conventional handbag it is possible to imagine I can't see how anyone could see it as a signifier of "wackiness".

Hate them. Frumpy and naff.

Not a lover.
Looked at them when shopping for a handbag for Mil and thought they were a bit meh.

Bananafish I love DKNY for decent tough tote bags. Always manage to be abused with a ton of stuff but aren't heavy in themselves.

I have that navy Bloomsbury.

It's gorgeous but a pain in the arse as you have to unzip it all th way to get things in and out.

It's most definitely not "wacky"

Who cares what anyone else thinks? If you want it and can afford it buy it!

I am sourcing a preowned one fr om e bay at the moment. I don't think they are frumpy, I see high end designer bags look even more frumpy, but because they are high end its ok.

I want one now too

I have a large black Grosvenor (kinda wish I'd bought a medium) - I think it looks great and used it everyday until I bought a back pack recently. I'm sure I'll go back to the Grosvenor at some point though.

The leather is (or at least was the last time I looked closely at one!) great quality - some of the best out there for the price point

Is this frumpy? Just bought it from a Radley Outlet... Had an additional 20% off and I love the colour but after all the 'frumpy' comments on here, I'm now starting to think this is a bit old-lady ish...?!

Please only respond if you ARE a fan of Radley!! As I know lots of people on here think they're all horrible!

Thanks!

That's really nice just don't, I think people are prejudiced about the name, as the bags are lovely. Would they say that, if they were Gucci, or Dior, no they would not!

I'm not sure how they are all frumpy. They are bags in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes threads on mumsnet get ridiculous.

Wasn't there a bit of a thing about them 10-12 years ago?

I'm not keen. Radley handbags are akin to M&S Footglove shoes IMO. Nah thanks.

I buy one if it had a cat on it.

I have one of the large cross body Pocket bags and although I love the style of it the lining soon started to become unstitched from the bag.

I give no fucks what anyone thinks of my choice of bags. Right now, I am using a Next bag, which is a nice colour and shape, but to be honest isn't really that good because I can't fit my book into it! I usually have a Radley and own several and have, in my friend's infamous saying 'never met a Radley I don't like'. If you like the bag, why do you care what anyone else thinks?

I don't usually like their stuff but that's quite nice, personally I would go for brown over black if they do it, but that's my personal preference.

I have one, and haven't used it since my phone stopped fitting the pocket for phones. Otherwise, I still think it's a useful cross body bag. Not to stop traffic, just practical. Mine's oxblood in case there's anyone with an old Nokia who wants a lightly used small crossbody. Feel free to PM.

I like that Justdontgetitatall. Nice colour too.

Exactly Aeroflot!

I am kind of wishing I'd got this one though...

My orla keily bag lasted a good decade of regular use before the corners started to go tatty (one of the wide clean type ones) and even then only slightly. The leather parts were still in perfect nick.

If not bothered about leather I've found Kipling bags to be essentially completely indestructible but they aren't that smart. I had mine as my main bag through 3 years of uni and then through several years of less heavy use since. It travelled by bike: in a basket and over my shoulder, it survived crashes with no hint of a tear or abrasion, it was dumped on the floor in lecture halls 12 times a week, and in laboratories with god knows what on the floors and had kilos and kilos of books in it. It's been held by just the end of the zip as a do it up and it's still looking exactly the same as when I bought it.

Think they are a bit naff. Isn't that the general view?