Radley bag

[Rainbowxxx]

Hi so I've read a lot of hate about Radley london bags? What is the hate?.... Who owns one and how old are you as I've also read there for older ladies. But from what I can see there defo not for older ladies..

Indeed @bruffin - don’t disagree that there are stylish people who might carry an unbranded Radley bag. I meant it’s the image they conjure in my head. Similarly to the way a Chanel bag on a 20 year old would scream ‘fake / TOWIE wannabe’ whilst it wouldn’t on someone in their 30’s or above, all clothes and accessories create an image or a reference.

Mother in law (70) used to collect them when she worked. She loves dogs so... My mum bought my SiL(50+) a Radley purse for her birthday once which was well received. Personally I (40+) wouldn't buy one, and I currently own an old Cath Kidston handbag, which is probably also very out of fashion. I'm saving up for something naice though.

My late mother’s godmother loved a Radley bag. However back in the before times when I wore a Jigsaw black tailored wool suit to work with LK Bennett’s stilettos, a plain Radley bag hit the spot quite nicely. I had several, and all of them were named after roads within five minutes walk from my office.

I have a fairly plain black one with lots of pockets. I like pockets. I had one previously that lasted years - I only got rid when it got smelly. The leather is good quality and doesn't get trashed by the slightest bit of rain or scratched when it sees a wall a metre away.

I am 51, mind.

I have a couple of Radley bags, I’m 49 but most are 8+ years old (and still looking well). Most recent Radley purchase was a laptop backpack two years ago. And I have a Radley purse which is at least five years old, is used daily and looks pretty much as new.
Most of my bags are Coach or Kipling - no idea what that says about me, but I would never have described myself as a trend setter

I've got one (no dog tag) and it gets more compliments than any other bag I have. It's just a nice, good quality bag. I don't like bling though, or anything ostentatious and find the hardware on some bags awful, so understated suits me fine. It's a 'quiet' bag.

I've got one, I'm 28. Two of my best friends (28 and 31) have a few of them as well- though I must confess I think we all got them in the sale or an outlet xD Mine is navy and a bit slouchy, and I've kept the dog on!

It was actually my first "proper" branded handbag, prior to that I mostly got them from places like River Island. I got it at the same time as a smartish grey coat, I feel like when I throw them both on for the nursery run or whatever, I look that bit more grownup and properly dressed than I used to.

I wouldn’t buy a Radley bag because to me they look dowdy and I hate the doggie. I’m in my 40s.

I probably had one when they first came out many years ago but I wouldn't now. I'd go deMeilier or Mulberry now. But I realise that's a pricey comment.

Oh I meant to say I'm late 50s

This is my latest cutesy one. I love it. Mind you I also love my canvas shoulder bag with cute owls all over it and I'm definitely a fan of bootcut jeans so...

Stylish I am not

Well, LadyFlumpalot it's not my taste, but wouldn't it be boring if we all dressed and looked the same?! Calling something twee or frumpy is very subjective. I can't stand the look of those Mulberry bags that loads of people seem to have. Each to their own.

I love Mulberry bags and could afford them if that was a priority for me. However for an everyday bag which would get bashed about a lot, I don’t know want to spend that much.
I saw the deMeiller bags - somewhat cheaper than Mulberry but more expensive than Radley and can’t see what’s the difference between them and some bags from Radley.
What other affordable brands do people actually like?

The mulberry bayswater is heavy.

It depends on your lifestyle as well, and what you have to carry around. I like the Longchamps le pliage but only because they're incredibly light and come in nice colours. Not many of us are dressed smartly at the moment, but I can see a more structured smart bag would fit more with that vibe.

I quite like Radley Dukes Place medium bag - but was not in sale. So bought the Fountain Road medium one- half price.
I don’t like the twee Radley stuff either but like the soft slouchy leather Radley stuff.

SoupDragon, they're not my actual bags Mine were eBay purchases and although one had a sort of leafy, dangly "charm", neither had a dog tag attached.
I realised this afternoon that I have another Radley too, a rustic looking cross-body saddle bag. This one came with a dog, but not for long!

I have 4. Three were gifts and the fourth I bought from Ebay - that one is gorgeous and limited edition (not tacky!). The others are classy, but I would have chosen them myself. My OH decided to buy me a bag EVERY Christmas for several years...so I also have a Ted Baker and a Timberland. All nice, good quality bags, just not me.

I’ve had them since my early 20s (I adored and ruined a pale pink one) - they’re good quality and the laptop bags were amazing compared to the plastic corporate ones my first workplace gave us all. Wouldn’t occur to me that they were mumsy but I’m not very fashionable and think quite rude things about people with designer bags so I can’t talk!!

I have a few but they are mostly plain colours. I have one with a lovely poppy appliqué, I don't think you would know they are Radley as I hide the bloody dog

I had no idea they were so divisive! I was tempted by one as they have £100 off it at the moment but now I'm not sure!

Love Radley.

I won a Radley bag a few years ago and was allowed to choose any one off their website. I actually struggled to find one I liked but ended up picking quite an unfussy plain classic looking black one that I thought would be good for work. When it came it was smaller than expected so I rarely use it, its gathering dust somewhere but it was okay. I wouldn't pay for one though, they aren't really to my taste.

I can't see the problem at all. They see all do different.