Budget shopping in Florence?

There are outlets in Italy, Germany, Switzerland that may work for you/him. The ones I know are Fox shopping outlets, but there are others just google. Most of these require a car to get to. I think one is north of Milan.

I now remember Foxtown in Mendriso Italy and Serravalle outlet nr Genoa. Also sometimes the open markets in major towns have clothing avail. it prob won't be high style like the outlets. Good Luck.

you may have some luck with the street vendors in Florence. I bought a scarf for like 5 euros and a leather belt for like 20...at the airport in Venice when I left last September, I went in to a store selling soccer/football clothing and I bought a replica of the Italian uniform for 29 euros on sale from 90- I think it was the previous year's uniform so they were trying to get rid of it.

The American Presb. church in Florence has a thrift shop open every tuesday. PM for details.

The 18% VAT is included in the displayed price, not added to your total like in the US.
I found some low priced stores around the main train station. If you walk out from the main exit and keep going there is a street just straight ahead with all kind of small boutiques your son might like.
Or try streets vendors.

I really enjoyed the San Lorenzo market. It's pretty big and you can bargain, which I think is half the fun. They have lots of clothing, and all the vendors seemed to speak English. My male friend I was traveling with got an amazing aviator-style leather bomber jacket for 150 euros - and the price tag said 300 so BARGAIN! It's not designer, but things seemed to be pretty decent quality to me.