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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!
Getting a rail together for the Flea
I’ve been a big Dublin Flea fan since the start, and pick up some great bits every time I get to it. I’ve been talking for ages about getting my stuff together for a stall and I’ve finally managed it for the July flea. I’m sharing with two mates; Suzy and Andrew, and we’ll have a bunch of clothes, shoes, plants, house things and handbags. I started off worried I wouldn’t have enough stuff to add to the stall, but a ruthless clear out of the closets reveals that I have a LOT of clothes that I never actually wear. So many in fact that I may take over the stall if I’m not careful.
I’ve popped up some pics on facebook if you want a gander… all of these, plus a whole lot more, will be on sale on Sunday from 11am onwards, so pop on down if you fancy the look of anything. I’ve a mix of good quality stuff, and some high street buys that never made it into full wardrobe circulation so I’m getting rid. Prices will be reasonable, and I’m happy to haggle. Suzy’ll have more of the same and Andrew has, naturally enough, clothes for the gents, and lovely they are too. Now…does anyone have a clothing rail…..?!
March Flea
The last time I made it to the Dublin flea was for the first Flea in November last year. The flea has been going strong ever since happing the last sunday of the month from 11am – 5pm. I was away for Jan and Feb so headed for New Market Street bright and early this morning to catch the best picks with sc. We planned to get there for opening but with the clocks going forward an 11am start was really a 10am start, which is pretty horrific for a Sunday morn that follows a wine fueled saturday night. We figured everyone else would be just as knackered so we aimed for 12noon instead – best to stay on old time.
Gorgeous sunny day, tons of parking on New Market Street and men walking in with wardrobes as we arrived. Headed straight for the lovely coffee spot at the back and pretended not to see the yummy cakes. Coffee’s in hand we got to browsing.
Usual stuff for the flea; mix of original arty and crafty things, vintage clothes and furniture and good old car boot style second-hand clothes and furniture. I’d love more proper vintage- The Goddess Room seemed to be the main source- or better quality second hand stuff, but was thrilled to see Kirk Modern was back in situ. Snapped up a tasty little vintage phone table in quick smart time. It was a super reasonable 45e and I’ve made the mistake before of casting my eye on something and finding it sold by the time I got back around.
Kirk Modern Phone Table
I’ll eventually re-cover the seat bit with something a bit more textured but here it is in situ back home in Sligo….might need an old school phone to go with it now.
Cat keeping an eye on new purchase
I’m trying to stay focused on either the house and an outfit for the middle brothers wedding so I didn’t give in to any temptations from the nice sparkly necklaces, or art prints or fabrics samples or even the kick ass 7′inch turntable-in-a-case. But…my resolve was seriously tested by the super cute badge stall we spotted from beaver bear and I gave in big style. I’ve a bit of thing for buttons in any case, but these ones were being made right there and then with a bunch of fabric ones and cute cartoon ones. Turns out it’s sideline from the folks behind a lovely looking design company called eep! design -ali and austin – who were inspired by a button making workshop at Thomas Reeds last year to get badging. The selection was great and they were €1 each with a free one if you buy 6…so of course neither of us could resist and we got 6 each.
my beaverbear selection
I love badges, and the fabric touch is a nice one . You could easily get a set made and use them as buttons for jumpers and cardi’s and Tees. They even said you could bring in some fabric or a picture from a mag and they could use it to make some up for you all special. Check them out on beaverbear. I wonder what it is with badge makers and beavers…there’s a brilliant company in the states I’ve used for bulk orders and it’s called busy beaver…hmmmm. Something between badge-rs and beavers maybe?
There are plans afoot to get Sligo Flea together for the summer. Have a look on their website and make your voice heard if you’d like to see it happen- either to sell stuff or to buy stuff. Stranded wants to do both.
