some of our Italian purchases
One of the fun things to do in Italy is shop. Italian design is some of the best in the world. The fashion is superb, the homewares devine – you really can’t leave without buying something, at least one little trinket to help remember your trip.
beautiful Busatti linen
When I talk about this with people intending to visit our apartment in Bagni di Lucca, the womens’ eyes light up and the gentlemen usually start to go clammy and need to leave the room. This is a pity because mens’ clothing and footwear in Italy is wonderful and most chaps would find that a couple of suitable purchases could improve their image considerably. With a tiny bit of effort they might become as dashing and handsome as the beautiful Italian men.
There are several outlets in Italy where you can go to buy last season’s fashion at half price or less. These are excellent and it can be worth the trouble of finding them, for they are usually outside city centres. Near Florence is The Mall, where you will find labels such as Valentino, Gucci, Marni, Armani, Fendi, Todd, Bottega Veneta etc all at half price or less. North of Florence is Barberino, which has a huge range of labels at bargain prices. There are buses from Florence to both of the outlets if you don’t have a car.
If this is not an option for you, shops in the towns and cities offer a broad price range. I don’t really see the point of scouring Italy for a pair of cheap jeans, or a $5 shirt at the markets. It would be far better to buy a couple of truly exquisite pieces that will remind you of your trip for years to come, and make your friends pea green with envy.
Prada window in Rome, featuring Miranda Kerr
Roberto Cavalli
Marni in Rome
Giorgio Armani, Prada, Gucci, Etro, Robert Cavalli, Valentino, Marni and Max Mara (and lots more) are local labels and their fabulous shops are in all major cities. You could do worse than to look in these shops for an excellent souvenir of Italy. The Max Mara shop in Florence is worth going into, to see the beautiful frescoes, even if you don’t buy anything. They won’t let me take photos in there or I would show you these gorgeous walls.
There are also good buys to be found in some of the better markets. If you are not a label hound, good leather products can be found in Florence markets. Lucca has excellent leather shops where you can find great bags and shoes. Lucca has very good shopping in both fashion and homewares. Forte dei Marmi, on the coast near Via Reggio, has a wonderful antique market every second weekend (roughly) where can be found well priced vintage costume jewellery.
early bakelite jewellery at Forte dei Marmi
Milan has the very best high fashion shopping in Italy. The city centre is compact and easy to navigate. If you are interested in fashion, a walk down Via della Spiga, Via Montenapoleone and Via S’ Andrea will have you thinking you have died and gone to fashion heaven.
10 Corso Como in Milan
In Rome the main shopping streets are around the Piazza di Spagna, Via Condotti, Via Babuino etc. The streets around Campo dei Fiori and behind Piazza Navona also have interesting boutique shopping. Via Coronari is one of the lovliest streets in Rome with its beautiful antique shops.
The sales in Italy begin around January 8 for the winter season and July 8 for the summer stock. Lucky you, if you happen to be there at these times.
Beautiful things are part of what Italy is all about. Allow at least some time to browse the shops. Even if you don’t buy anything, these things are works of art and should be seen.