I will tell you from experience - the worst gift in the world a man can buy his wife is a purse - she will accept it and appreciate the thought but... It will never, ever, be the right one no matter if you ask her friends about it or not! Her friends may know her or may see what they like but this will not work either.
Someone mentioned a purse being very personal - I went shopping with my wife one time for a purse and spent at least an hour watching in pure amazement. What I thought was nice, (not saying a word), she passed over very quickly. There are just some things which should be totally left off the gift list - a purse is one. Way too many things to consider !