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A quick post for the shopping fans among you. I finally made it out to Kildare Village this week, despite it being open ages and me being very partial to bargain shopping. Anyhow – here’s a speedy review.

Most of us are familiar with the outlet phenomenon by now, largely thanks to T. K. Maxx (anyone know what they’re T.K. Maxx here and T.J. Maxx in the US?) the almost nationwide purveyor of discount designer stuff.  Well Kildare Village is like a whole shopping centre of TK Maxx-ed shops. There are some brilliant brands, with most shops offering discounts of 30-70% on last season’s stock.  The village is just under an hour from Dublin on the N/M7 (or the festival road as I call it, given it’s the route to all sorts of fun from Kilkenny Cat Laughs to Electric Picnic). It’s part of a group of “Chic Outlet Shopping” centres, including the much talked about Kate Middleton fave Bicester Village, which has some seriously top end shops, and it’s obvious from the design (see optimistic pic above) that most of the other chic villages are in sunnier climes. The shops all have large double doors that are permanently open so beware the cold/windy/rainy day, it was so chilly in most of the shops the day I was out there that the thought of getting out of my clothes and trying on new ones was totally impossible to bear!

So what can you really get that’s useful? And is it worth the trip? Well if you are in the market for household stuff it definitely is. There’s an appliance shop with nice looking toasters, nespressos, kettles, pots and pans etc, a Cath Kidston for quirky interior bits, a nice bedding shop with 300 & 600 threadcount sheets (which are 50% off), a Le Creuset and a couple of shops with kitchen accessories.

If you’re a guy and looking for good quality basics it’s a good bet – there’s a Hugo Boss, a Savoy Tailors, Pink, DKNY, Jaeger, and Reiss that stock nice suits, jeans, jumpers and shirts. There’s an All Saints, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi’s and Ted Baker for more fashiony bits, but bear in mind it’s 2-3 seasons behind, but that’s not such an issue for guys of course given the slow pace of change in men’s fashion.

For the gals I’d again say the best bits are to be found for classic or work staples. The DKNY and Jaeger shops have really good suiting items (but Jaeger is still pretty pricy even with the discounts) . I didn’t spot much in the fashion shops, but I think that might be down to the fact that there’s been a bigger change in women’s fashion over the last year than would normally be the case. Where it really comes into it’s own is for occasion wear- if you’ve a wedding/party etc coming up it’s well worth the trip; LK Benett, Ted Baker, Coast, Fran and Jane, Jaeger and Karen Millen are all out there and well stocked with dresses.

It’s worth flagging how great the shoe collection is in LK Bennett. They’re well known for their beautiful shoes, having opened shoe concessions in Ireland long before the clothing shops opened, but the prices- usually 150e plus- keep them out of reach for most people. In Kildare village they had a very extensive selection including heels, flats, classics, dress shoes and boots that were mostly 50% off and in a great selection of sizes. Worth the trip alone for my money!!

On the sporty front there’s a North Face, Nike and Quicksilver which are varied in their stock but probably a good bet for gym/active gear, and for jeans there’s a Levis, Tommy Hilfiger (both a bit patchy in stock terms) and a 7 for all mankind which offers brilliant discounts from what are usually €320+ jeans to anything from €70-€150.

There are a few unusual shops worth knowing about; a great Cashmere brand (N.Peal) with beautiful cashmere reduced by about 70% and a Phaidon Bookshop with similar discounts. If you don’t know them Phaidon publish beautiful cookery, art, architecture, photography, film and cultural/coffee table books and would make great presents. The Samsonite offers great deals and there are a whole bunch of other accessory shops with sunglasses, bags etc.

On the whole it’s definitely worth a trip if you have particular things in mind; sports gear, jeans, work stuff, dressy gear or house stuff, but I wouldn’t suggest it for a grazing day of shopping or if you’re after anything fashiony or interesting/different. It seems perfectly geared for mums with buggies and on a weekday visit was packed with yummy mummies.There’s easily enough shops to fill a whole day and the Dunne & Crescenzi restaurant L’Officina is really quite good for a rest and refuel along the way, with properly excellent coffee and a brilliant selection of biscotti available to go with it.  Just try to go on a dry day!

Kildare Village website