Is Orla Kiely 'done'?

[DaDaDa]

Looking at bags for DW's birthday, but they're wincingly expensive for an old tightwad like me, particularly if they're now too commonplace/boring.

Any opinions, oh style gurus?

lots of people like her.. I don't. personally.

I think her bags are very like the shopping bags you can buy in paperchse (fwiw)

lots of really nice stuff around for a similar price if you look

does your wife like them?

The oil cloth ones with the leaf-style prints are too common and therefore over. But she does lovely leather bags which are just in beautiful bright colours which are OK, though far pricier.

She does. But she's not above following trends iyswim.

buy and keep the receipt or take her out for a lovely lunch and the both of you shop for the bag.

I like this one. [gnaws fist in angst at price]

If I was spending stupid money I d go for Anya Hindmarsh.

that is sweet but jesus christ the price!

She does 'need' a new bag. In so much as anyone ever needs a new bag.

I know, I know. But I was looking at perfume and that's £50 for something that fucking evaporates! At least a bag has a functional purpose...

try looking at francesco biasia

I love his bags

A functional purpose? You should try oven gloves and ironing board covers.

i would be really fecked off if dh spent that much on a bag.

A word of warning if you're not 100% sure of what she likes...

There was a thread a while ago where someone's husband had bought a highly expensive bag for an anniversary present, but it wasn't something she would have chosen herself. Opinion was pretty sharply divided as to whether she should change it (boo hiss IMO) or cherish it and thank her lucky stars for a thoughtful DH.

Does she have a sister/friend who could give a useful pointer?

Ah yes. There were some of Eleanora's opinion on the thread as well...

But presumably you know how she would feel about an expensive gift.

'You should try oven gloves and ironing board covers'

I value my life.

It is too much. I'll blame you all when she is underwhelmed by her Cath Kidston doorstop.

i'd love it.

but i am not your missus. and i will sadly have to make do with the latest complete oxford english dictionary or set of nesting coffee tables that dh thinks is a great gift. bless him.

you could - rather than risk getting it all wrong - take her shopping to choose her own - and throw in a nice lunch as part of the package. i'd like that too.

It's such a cop out though isn't it, buying something together? I've already asked for hints, and these were apparently hints she'd already given but I'd not picked up on. Subtlety: overrated.

are you sure you're not gay?

amazed you know of cath kidston and orla kiely

is it a cop out?
i wouldn't think so.
get her a little something nice to open - posh face cream or something, then let her determine where the major expenditure goes. i'd say it was win win
unless its a Test of course

I LOVE that bag.

I have 3 OK bags and use them a lot.

Buy it

Definitely not gay. I might be a bit of a poof, but I'm definitely not gay.

buy it from dept store

then she can take back and exchange

No test Mazzystar, it's just been a tough couple of years I'd like to splash out a bit without my usual ummming and ahhhing (I'm Mr Prevarication) and safe choices.

dadada i do really like the one that you linked to but preferthis Obviously you know your dw's tastes better but you can always keep the reciept and tell her to exchange if need be. I think it's lovely to choose one yourself. My dh bought me an orla kiely bag for my bday and couple of years ago that he chose and i was very touched that he wanted to pick one himself. BTW, I would kill dh if he bought me something practical!