Radley bags

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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?

Look at Ashwood Leather, OP. Made in Britain at a very reasonable price point with few, if any fussy details.

QVC have them on offer a couple of times per year, & TKMaxx occasionally have them too.

I have had a black leather one for 9 years, & it looks as good as new.

Really out dated and grandma-ish. Not the vibe

I have two of the smaller cross body bags, navy and black. A larger brown cross body bag, I just like the design. They are plain with a small dog tag. I have a purse, and a large black bag and a smaller one for work. All plain and really well made. I only ever bought one of them new, the other four were real bargains off eBay! I’ve found them really easy to find online as I think lots of people buy them and go off them, which cheers me up no end when I get one for £10 or £20!!! I don’t think they are naff but I wouldn’t go for any all over design like the dog print. I prefer something subtle that goes with anything I’m wearing.

They were quite stylish in the early 2000s but there have quite a ‘twee’ image now. That said, they are practical and sturdy, well made from good quality materials, and they last. As a trendier alternative you could try Fossil which is similar quality and price point (though avoid the ‘vegan leather’ ones as they look awful - they’re made from cactuses or something) but their bags are, on the whole, slouchier and more rugged.

Have a look in TK Maxx, they sell some Radley bags. I have a couple of the cross body bags, I have had them for years, they still look like new, I give them a quick polish & the leather comes up like brand new. I don't like the ones that are covered in dogs, but the ones with a discreet dog tag on them are lovely.

Can you explain just what constitutes outdated and grandma-ish? (Nice bit of ageism there btw.). I have a very nice Radley shoulder bag and I really can’t see why anyone would think a fairly plain black leather bag is naff.

I bought one a bit warily as it was the only thing I saw that fulfilled the brief: a sturdy but not huge leather crossbody with secure compartments for a sudden overseas trip.
No dog patterns! Just a plain vaguely apricot colour which has mellowed.
It's still going strong after 3 yrs and I use it heaps. Softened nicely. The main fastener is magnetic so it snaps shut even of you haven't zipped the inner pockets.
Highly recommended.

I think they’re really good quality basic bags. Most of them look no different to other similar brands but the functionality is better with little pockets and zips rather than clasps etc. if I wanted something on trend or unique I wouldn’t look at radley. Personally I think coach aren’t great quality for the price but some of them are more fashion led. Their classic print is also a bit passé now though. I have wondered whether radley is one of those brands that make a slightly inferior product specifically to sell through outlets.

Exactly!

@NatashaDancing I also like a zip, for me a bag has to close securely. Having been pickpocketed getting on a bus many years ago with my trendy but open bag I cannot stand bags that do not close properly.

I have a couple, I wouldn't pay full price though, they are often in JL sales and I got mine in Next Clearance

I had one about 15 years ago. It was plain black and just had a blue dog tag on it so not one with dog pictures or anything. I found it to be good quality. I used it as an everyday handbag and it wore well. Didn't get tatty at all.

Ageism and sexism in one short post.

I'm still not clear on how a brand with lots of different designs/styles can all be grandma ish.

I like them, they probably are naff but I don’t care

Why are people so affected by what other people think of a bloody handbag. Most of my handbags are Radley. They're well made and reasonably priced. I have never had a negative comment and quite a few positive ones. It is only on Mumsnet that I see any negativity but I genuinely think Mumsnet exists in some sort of parallel universe.

On the other hand I think spending hundreds if not thousands on a handbag is obscene especially when often they look so tacky. Louis Vuitton in particular. I particularly hate any handbag with quilting and a metal chain for a strap. Mulberry I find really blah.

However I except some people like them and as long as they do what they're supposed to do (hold your possessions) buy what you want.

I love their purses as well I’ve had only radley purses for years now.

I recently decided to get some proper leather bags as I'm tired of the cheap ones wearing out so quickly.

I got 3 bags on Vinted - a coral larger crossbody from Clarks, a gorgeous pink shoulder bag by Coach, and a deep turquoise shoulder bag from Radley. I paid about £140 total including shipping.

The Radley is very basic. I love the colour and it's a good size. There is no dog - if there was ever a doggie tag, it was lost.

I think if you like the bag itself, and there's no doggie motif, it's perfectly nice.

Thanks to this thread, I'm now aware of Osprey and I'll be looking at them for bags in the future.

I like Radley bags, I've had many over the years and my teenage daughter is now using some of them and doesn't consider them naff. I've only ever bought them on TK Maxx or Brand Alley or similar places so haven't paid a fortune for them.

I remember back in the day when they were really popular and the dog tag was a new thing, I was in the queue in Sainsburys and the woman behind me stole my dog tag (I didn't realise until I got to the car that she had snipped it off) and I didn't replace it as it would have been £19 plus P&P.

I love (most) Radley bags. I usually only go for the leather ones though or a fabric tote as I refuse to pay premium prices for plastic leather

Also have a look at Osprey. They do some beautiful bags which are usually always leather and are extremely good quality.

I brought a Radley bag from jarrolds of Norwich, but just after a year the handles both split all the stitching came undone, I took it back but as it was over the year they didn't want to know so a bag costing £200 only last one year, I would never buy another one.