Radley Archives | My Women Stuff

Bag Lust and Save & Splurge: The Drawstring Bag Edition – Louis Vuitton Petit Noe v Radley Buttermere Drawstring

June 23, 2013 Paris B 29 Comments

Alright confession time. I’ve always wanted a drawstring bag. Its not a popular choice, I realise, but I want one regardless.

I blame it on my aunt who had one while I was growing up and I used to really want one because she always looked so casual-chic carrying hers. I never got round to it for various reasons but I always kept my eye firmly fixed on the Petit Noé, Louis Vuitton’s classic drawstring. Story has it that the Noé (slightly larger) was created back in the day to hold champagne bottles on picnics. Now tell me, how decadent is that?! 😀

The Petit Noé is a smaller version with a shoulder carry strap. There is a smaller version, Petite Noe BB that has an adjustable strap to allow you to carry it cross body if you prefer. I set my sights on the Petit Noé for a long time but never indulged. Recently, I noticed that LV has reintroduced the Noé, Petit Noé and Petit Noé BB to revive one of their most popular iconic bags.

It is also at about this time that I notice a return of the drawstring bags and while walking past the Radley store last week, one caught my eye! Whilst not cheap (and you could probably get some other brands doing similar designs for a smaller pricetag) Radley does do good leather bags and at over 25% ~~savings compared to~~ of the price of an LV, its certainly the “Save” option 🙂

Giving the Satchel a little Love : Its not just for school

February 26, 2012 Paris B 61 Comments

satchel love

It took me a little while to get into the groove of loving the satchel as an everyday work bag. I loved the first one I owned. I received a lot of compliments because for some reason, people here are afraid of wearing colourful accessories, and a red satchel was quite eye catching and different. But even with wear and tear it still feels a bit stiff. And it can’t fit a lot in there due to the stiffness and the fact its quite narrow. I didn’t quite count the Grosvenor Satchel as one because it didn’t fit in the mould. I wanted something that had an old school look – that looks like I have filled it with books and was casually slinging it over my shoulder to go to school.

And then the Radley Hutchinson Satchel came into my life. I wasn’t breaking my self-imposed bag ban, because it was partly a gift 😉 and this one was great because it was slouchy and pliable and suddenly I was back in love 🙂

Jolly Good! Radley Grosvenor Satchel and the Radley Spring Summer 2011 collection

April 17, 2011 Paris B 35 Comments

I’m going to say “Radley bags” and if you are familiar with the brand, what’s the first thing that pops into your head?

Might it be something adorable like this?

radley mirror and case — Radley Travel Mirror and Leather Case

Or might it be something a little more understated but with a touch of whimsy and cute factor, like this?

radley pocket bag — Radley Pocket Bag - A Radley Classic!

Either style you prefer, the little Scottish Terrier will probably be the first thing to pop into your head. I used to think the same too and because I don’t do cute very well, I used to not pay much attention to the brand. That was until I hopped into the Radley store in their home base in London last year and picked myself up a wallet that did NOT feature the ubiquitous scottie. Interest piqued, I just picked up yet another item from Radley, that surprise, surprise, does NOT feature the little scottie at all, and in a satchel design I had been wanting! I’m on a bag ban, but I got an offer too good to resist (20% off store wide last week for just 1 day) – gotta be good after this 😛

For those unfamiliar to the brand, Radley is a brand of fashion accessories – bags, wallets, pouches, keychains, umbrellas (!) – from Britain. Their logo is the adorable little Scottish Terrier that appears in unexpected ways on their accessories. I’ve got some pictures of their bags below.

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