If I want to buy leather items in Italy, for example, how do I know if I am purchasing from a reputable vendor and not someone that may be selling cheap items for tourists? I am wondering especially in a market how you can tell. I don't necessairily want something expensive or designer, just nice. THanks.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
My advice, the first thing to do is go to high end stores and examine their best leather goods. Look at the stitching, lining, feel, and stain of the "good stuff" so you can recognize quality. Then shop other places and learn how to spot the cheap stuff.
Know the price you would expect to pay for good stuff at home.
Educating yourself is really the only way to be sure you will be happy with your purchase once you bring it home.
One technique regarding stain is to rub a white tissue on various parts of the leather. If it's stained well, nothing should rub off. If it's stained cheaply, some will rub onto the tissue. If it's stained cheaply, chances are good other corners were cut too - so don't pay a lot for it.
Posted by
St. Louis, MO USA
1976 posts
Where are you going in Italy? I bought a leather jacket that I loved from a leather store called Fiorenza in Florence. This was in 2001 so I don't know if they're still there, but here is the contact info that I have:
Address: Borgo Santa Croce, 11/r 50122 Firenze
Website: www.fiorenza-moda.it
As soon as I walked in, the salesperson pulled down a leather jacket from a hook on the wall and it was a perfect proportional fit (I'm 5'0" so it's sometimes hard for me to find clothes that look good on short people). They shortened the sleeves for me and I've had the jacket for 9 years now and never had a problem with it. (It cost $400 but for 9 years of use, that's not bad).