Radley bags

[SilverGlitterBaubles]

Looking at a Radley bag in JL but I've heard some comments about them. I don't usually spend on bags, other than something from TK. Before I make a purchase can anyone tell me if Radley is considered naff?

I can remember wanting a Mulberry bag, way back in the early 1990s.
Later, the Bayswater was the bag. When I had a look at it in the 2000s, I realised that the empty Bayswater was quite heavy. I still like the look of the vintage ones and how they look.

I got my Radley bag last autumn. Not because of the label as such. But because I liked the design of the handbag, the size and the strap and the pockets inside. Looked all over London and it was the bag I liked the best. At the right price for my budget

As pp have said. With mine You can barely tell it's a Radley it hasn't a dog in sight just Radley embossed on the front

I love my Radley bags. I buy in outlet store or sale then use as my everyday handbag - after about 2 years they look a bit battered and in ready for an upgrade! I don't know what to do with my old ones though so I have a cupboard of battered Radley handbags 😆 I buy them for the practicality, pockets/zips/leather/size /longevity but not the label. None of mine have dogs on, very small label too.

Ohhh I posted that I didn't like Radley on my bag thread the other day. It's got nothing to do with the brand being 'naff' or the dogs (although I'm not keen tbh).

It's because I don't like the leather and I think they are quite expensive for what they are. And they seem to be quite structured where I am floppy.

So I don't like Radley in the same way I don't like Zara (because I am short and fat) or Phase8 (because they seem to cut for a totally different shape to me).

So not the brand per se, more the brand for me.

Happy bag shopping!

I have a pocket crossbody which does have a small dog embroidered in the front pocket( I like it)
I've had it a few years and the leather is decent quality well finished, and the hardware durable
I don't care if Radley are current, but can vouch for quality as I use it daily

MN tends to be really sniffy about them but they last ages and are well designed so if you see one you like then get it!

Thanks all, I am drawn to the look and feel of the bag more than anything else and the fact that I can fit everything into it without being too heavy or bulky. It could be a bag from anywhere TBH.

I've had a few in the past but found they went shabby looking quite quickly. I don't buy them now.

I still have the laptop bag. I'm not hard on my bags and this was lightly used, about a dozen times over a year or so.

Unless a bag is covered in logos I don't notice who makes them. I don't like bags which are covered in logos or have very obvious single logos. I don't care how expensive LV is for example, it's extremely "naff"

I'm not particularly interested in bags beyond do I like the look of them and do they serve a purpose. I have 3 Lulu Guinness proper patent handbags , which have no logos, maybe half a dozen Radley cross body bags, and an Aspinal one (which I don't like nearly as much as the Radley ones) and 4 Longchamp Pliage.

The Lulu Guinness and the Radleys get lots of wear and very little care and attention and wear really well.

MN has decreed that Radley is "naff" but given the seal of approval that other clothing horrors get on here I'd take that as a recommendation.

They are gorgeous but go low dog

I’ve had my everyday Radley bag for about 15 years and my going out Radley bag for 10 years. I keep looking to replace them but I don’t like any of the current bags.

I love them!

I like them and have purses which have lasted a long time

I have several Radley bags and I love them. ❤️

I love Radley bags purely because the insides are so practical. Lots of pockets of the right size and shape for phones, iPads, note pads, pens. Often have a 'secret' pocket for travel passes, which is brilliant if you use the tube a lot. The large cross body ones are great as a mum bag, hold a water bottle, snack,keys, purse, phone, change of clothes for kids and a few wipes.

I much prefer them to my osprey bags or Cambridge satchel (which never have pockets or sections inside!)

Often have a 'secret' pocket for travel passes, which is brilliant if you use the tube a lot

They really are brilliant for that.

I think they are well made and 'classic' rather than edgy.
I have owned several and sold them all ages ago on ebay and they fetched pretty good amounts.

I think that if I was to compare them, I'd say they are very 'safe' and almost like a Clarks brand (waits to be shot down) in terms of middle of the road, not going to be style icon stuff, but reliable and serve the purpose.

My own gripe with them was that I prefer more 'squishy' styles and Radley always looked and felt quite stiff and hard.

Not my cuppa. I had them back.in the 00s but I wouldn't now. Very dated and middle aged. Coach is good quality imo and better than radley

What makes them dated and middle aged though? I mean given that they don't all look the same and some designs are very similar to designs from other brands?

I'm not sure I know what "middle aged" looks like but these Coach bags mostly look very fussy to me. I particularly don't like the very obvious "C" logo/ buckle.

I'm very sceptical of MN proclamations of what is "dated" or not dated as they're so often contradicted by the likes of Vogue or fashion industry writers.

I don't like most of those Coach bags because they're fussy, prissy and over styled. A lot of them seem to have random bits of gold chain and other things tagged on. The pink Tabby bag for example has the obvious C buckle logo and a gold chain and a braided strap and a sort of pie crust edge. It's so over-egged.

Tabby bag

Coach bags

I'm not keen on the large C buckle and other fussy details either. But the plain coach bags, for example the tote, are good imo.

I quite like this one

Radley bags aren't over designed like a lot of other brands. They are classic and can sit in your wardrobe for years and compliment any outfit. Some of the brands that others seem to like are very much of their time (there is nothing wrong with that) and fashion conscious.

The plain totes are nice, but so are the Radley plain totes. This one closes with a zip. I prefer totes that close properly. I don't use my Aspinal tote as much as I should, given what it cost, because I don't like the fact it's only got a magnetic closure in the middle.

Radley tote bag