We will spend our entire trip in Southern Italy and Greece. But the last 2 days (the middle of October) will be CT where we will probably need a heavier jacket. We are keeping our packing to a minimum and I prefer to not lug a heavy jacket if possible. My plan is to purchase a cheap used item then donate it back before boarding the plane home. I've got more jackets than I need. Is that possible? I bet this is a question no one has ever asked before. Thank you for your patience.
Posted by
Washington DC
27211 posts
I don't know Milan at all; hope someone else can help. I can tell you that last year I saw quite a few second-hand clothing stores (apparently not charities) in eastern Germany. But Milan is an affluent city. Your best bet would probably be outlying neighborhoods with a lot of recent immigrants, if such exist in Milan.
Another possibility would be a street market in a working-class neighborhood. Some of those have used-clothing stands as well as cheap-clothing stands.
It can be cool and windy along the waterfront at night, even in Greece. You might be glad of a fleece jacket or merino wool sweater brought from home, even before you get to Cinque Terre.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19109 posts
As any skier knows, warm doesn't have to be heavy. Before going to the German Alps in December and January, I purchased a lightweight down parka. It was so lightweight that on a less cold day, I could wear it unzipped without overheating, but when it was really cold, I kept it zipped.
Considering where you are going to be, it would probably suffice to bring along a medium weight sweater to wear under your summer jacket for extra warmth.
I've found thrift stores in Germany. They were run by the Red Cross.
Posted by
San Antonio TX, United States
2393 posts
Or just add layers - pack a lightweight thermal or something like Cuddleduds and wear leggings or yoga pants under jeans. Then a shirt, sweater and lighter jacket.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
I have a down jacket that goes on every trip, compressed into a Ziploc bag which fits in the front zippered compartment of my rollaboard. Used it under a rain jacket at Christmas in Paris. Very light and warm enough. (Probably purchased at a thrift store at home many years ago.)
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15249 posts
You won't need a heavy jacket for the cinque terre.
Whatever jacket (maybe rain proof) you take to Southern Italy and Greece, will do.
I suggest you bring one to Greece and Southern Italy, because near the coast it gets breezy, especially in the islands, so you'll need one in the evenings, even in summer (and more so in October).
Posted by
Rome
62 posts
Whatever you end up deciding, yes: there's several charity shops in Milan. Humana is probably the most well-known, and it's very close to the Duomo (via dei Cappellari, if memory serves). Also, RI-Chic on Porta Romana, but that's more geared towards lovers of high fashion, or Arché on via Ressi (metro stop Gioia).
Posted by
Milan, Italy
290 posts
There are also these yellow containers all over the city to donate clothes. You put the clothes in the container and it gets picked up like once a week and given to the charity.
Posted by
OP
Clearwater, Florida, USA
15 posts
That sounds like fun shopping. If our plans for CT fall through, I could spend Monday shopping. We may be tired after 10 days at Amalphi Coast, Naples and Florence and 8 day cruise in Greece. CT is the only plans I haven't nailed down yet. Y'all have been so much help. What a blessing this website has been to me. Thank you.