Italy shopping

Depends on what you mean by Italian leather since most Italian leather comes from Argentina. Are you asking about Italian designed leather goods?

well you hear about Italian leather, so just wondering if there was any one place good to buy it at.

In theory, Florence is supposed to have good leather shopping. I don't buy a lot when I'm on the road but I've wandered through the market areas and leather stores, I didn't think it was particularly inexpensive. If I were planning to purchase a leather item in Italy, my first step would be to go to high-end retailers here and educate myself on how to judge quality. Ask a salesman, they'll tell you what is special about the stitching, feel, dying, lining, etc. in their product. Every shop in Florence brags they sell the finest leather in Italy. I suspect many sell poor quality items to tourists who don't know better. When you get it home and discover the color rubs off or the stitching comes undone, you won't be able to return it.

We bought some fabulous leather goods last year at a family store in Montalcino, "Si Si Pelle." The husband mans the store and his wife make some items (scarves and the like) for sale. They sell leather goods from Florence. I bought a purse that I have carried almost daily for a year and the leather is still in great shape. Paid 39 euros, a bargain in my opinion. My husband bought a briefcase, and we both bought wallets. The colors are amazing! So take a look in leather shops in smaller towns.

You have to be careful. Even high end "Italian" leather goods can be made in China, often with leather prepared in Italy and shipped over, then returned to be finished in Italy. Complicated world! There is also a big Chinese community just outside Florence, can't remember the town name, who specialise in making leather goods. Loads of discontent from the traditional Italian manufacturers who claim that they are being undercut because the Chinese firms use sweatshops, do not pay proper taxes etc.

I found a nice variety in Rome last month for reasonable prices. The same ( or extremely similar) purse for 99-129 euros is for sale at J. Peterman's for about $200. There are tags on everything when it is Italian leather.
Did not find much leather in Milan or Venice last year, but it does depend on what item you seek. Jackets? Shoes? Briefcases?There is always beautiful Bottega Veneta!