I know at this time there is only one store..in Milano. However, thinking of bring some AF for gifts?? What would be best for young woman?
Posted by
Freedonia
15079 posts
I'm not a shopper nor do I claim to know what's best to bring as gifts for young women...but....you are going to Italy and you want to bring home gifts that can easily be bought in your local mall? And you want to buy them from a U.S. owned company that happens to have a store in Italy?
Isn't that like going into Mcdonalds in Italy and saying you want to try the local cuisine?
Why not wait until you get there and actually get them things "Made in Italy." More than likely the stuff at AF was "Made in China or Indonesia or Vietnam."
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
28 posts
A fantastic hand made In Italy leather purse, would be my choice!
Ciao!
Posted by
Twin Cities, Minnesota
1825 posts
I totally agree with Christina. Another thought would be the wonderful gauze scarves you can get in the markets. They are reasonable, come in lots of colors and make wonderful gifts.
Posted by
OP
Renton, WA, USA
240 posts
I think everyone has misunderstood my post. I am going to Italy to visit friends that live there. I am wanting to bring them a gift from AF...
Posted by
bergamo
401 posts
Definitely a good gift idea. There are A&F stores in Italy, but it is SUPER expensive, and hard to find, plus it is very IN right now, especially with younger people. Just remember girls here wear very fitted clothes.
Other brands that are very popular here are Levi's jeans (always in here) and Eastpack backpacks, anything Northface, and Converse sneakers.
Posted by
Canandaigua, New York, usa
40 posts
Maple syrup was huge hit, if you don't want to take a liquid take the candies or taffy.
Posted by
bergamo
401 posts
Good news, you can now buy maple syrup (from Canada) here in Italy.
Posted by
Twin Cities, Minnesota
1825 posts
Ahhh, very different question. How old is the young woman?
Posted by
OP
Renton, WA, USA
240 posts
All 4 of my girlfriends are in their mid-thirties. I obviously am not sure of their sizes, so I am thinking a scarf or hat from A&F.
Claire: What style of Levi's are "in" fashion? What color of Converse? And what sytle of Northface?
Posted by
bergamo
401 posts
Buying someone jeans long distance is always hard unless you have their sizes. Women here wear fitted jeans, though as they in their mid-thirties you could get away with a nice sweatshirt (with a college name or a team) written on it for them to wear around the house. Italian women tend to be elegant when they go out, but wear sweats when they are at home. As for the Converse, both high and low top are in, go with a more neutral color, maybe white or grey.
Posted by
Connecticut, USA
114 posts
Well, personally, as an artist, I'd suggest taking your friends something handmade from the U.S. that would be one of a kind!
Posted by
Eureka, IL
65 posts
Jackie,
Claire has it right on as you would guess from someone living there. My wife and I were all over Italy in February and were surprised at how popular American brands are with the locals. We were even more surprised at the prices they were paying for American brands. Levi's=$120, Converse All Stars=$90, North Face= $250-300 for our $130-180 products. I think Europeans are used to paying 50% more and still thinking it is a deal. Anything you take from A & F could be a hit. Maybe just a personal preference but our B & B owner was in her early 30's in Rome and loved GAP. When we were in Paris it had just opened and was packed. American Eagle was also popular. I hope i didn't confuse you but gave a better perspective of their view of our styles.
Posted by
Calitri, Avellino, Italy (& US - where I live the majority of the time)
223 posts
YES. A&F is big, big, big with my European sisters-in-law and it's the first store they head to in the US. Hoodies especially - with a logo, of course. Hollister is also really popular (I think the only store is in Rome.) They also like Juicy Couture (and sometimes I find it at TJMaxx, etc. ;-) )