Shopping Leather jacket/coat in Rome or Florence

Leather and other precious things abound in Italy. Vicenza is the epicenter for gold jewelry, while Tuscany (and by extension, Florence) is my go to location for supple leather goods. With that said, I have purchased incredible leather goods in Naples, Sorrento, Rome, and other cities. Since you will be in Rome for a much longer period, look around and shop there, realizing that the ultimate cheapest, or ultimate finest, will not necessarily be there, but that you can compare and shop for an item that will thrill you. I was in Venice once with my ex wife, and we stumbled on an exquisite blue cameo brooch. I agreed with my wife that it was just what she wanted but encouraged her to wait until Naples, where we would have a better selection and likely lower prices. To her great dismay, she agreed with me and we never saw anything of that quality anyplace else in Italy.

Moral of the story, go to reputable shops, wherever you may be, and look for items that you will love. Don't hold out for Florence if you can purchase your dream jacket in Rome. Dirt cheap is a tipoff to poor quality. If you would pay $500 for such a coat in the US, you will find that the same item in Italy will be less expensive, so you can up your standards and buy something of much better quality for the same price as you would spend in the US. Also, if you are amenable to dickering on price, there are many shopkeepers who would love to close the sale on an item you really want.

Check trip advisor as there are many threads with reviews on leather shopping in Florence, I know there are a few there. I don't know anything about Rome Leather shops.. I haven't purchased a coat but love shopping for handbags in Florence. The leather school has excellent quality handbags, wallets, belts, and a web site they recently improved, and have a facebook page. You can ask about leather jackets as I recall seeing a few in the store but I don't think its a main product for them. They have one pictured on the front page of their site, possibly special order?

Cellerini near the train station has beautiful bags, I have two of theirs, no jackets or coats.
Scuola Del Cuoio behind the Santa Croce Basilica adjacent its rear exit. http://leatherschool.biz/en
https://www.instagram.com/scuoladelcuoio/

I bought a beautiful leather jacket in Florence over 15 years ago and it's still beautiful. I don't remember the name of the store but it was on the opposite side of the river from the Uffizi (cross Ponte Vecchio) on the right side of the street. But you won't have much time for shopping in Florence. Don't buy one at the leather market.

Just a few years ago my husband bought a “splurge” coat in the square in front of the Sant Croce Church. I bought a more reasonable one just next door. both are beautifully made...soft leather. Both stores were in the left as you face the church

There are several past postings on this topic, predominately for leather shopping in Florence. Use the search box at the top of this page to find past postings. They'll provide you with additional ideas about where to shop for quality leather.

I have never purchased a leather jacket in Florence or Rome but have purchased several beautiful handbags in Florence. When last in Florence 3 yrs ago we checked out a leather shop called Peruzzi located at 8-20r on Borgo dei Greci which is a popular street that runs from Palazzo Vecchio to Piazza Santa Croce. They had lovely purses, jackets, etc. I have Suzy Gershman's "Born to Shop Italy" 2010 (sadly, the last one she wrote before she passed away) book and at that time she considered this place one of the better quality local leather shops in Florence. You could google them to see if still at this location. Of course, as previous posters stated, the Scuola del Cuoio (Leather School) behind the Church of Santa Croce has beautiful items with high prices. Also check out www.girlinflorence.com A blog written by Georgette an American married to a Frenchman living in Florence. She has lots of good info on Florence including shopping info. and one of her favorite leather shops in Florence is "Benheart." She also writes for www.italymagazine.com I love following her on Instagram too. If you want beautiful leather gloves, check out Madova in Florence which is just across the Ponte Vecchio in the Oltrarno. It is straight up the main drag at Via De' Guicciardini, 1r and on the left side of the street. Beautiful paper shop IL Papiro is closeby. I know you were looking for leather, but if you are interested in beautiful tablecloths and dishtowels (not the colorful ones you see at street vendors all over, which I love and do pick up) but beautiful Italian ones with Florence landmarks, etc., send me a message. Have a great trip!!
edit: the blog link above does not seem to be working. Just do a search for blog if interested.

I bought a stunning leather jacket at Buti - Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli, 54, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy which is just down from the Ponte Vecchio on the river. They had great jackets and purses. I had 2 jackets that I loved. One did not fit me right so they were willing to make to my size and send it but I ended up choosing a lovely Cognac colored coat. Is very well made and I am happy with it 2 years later.

Last March, our daughter and I bought some very nice leather coats at Massimo Leather in Florence, near San Lorenzo. Our daughter had discovered Massimo during a semester abroad in Florence in 2014. The coats are high quality and the friendly employees are masters at achieving an impeccable fit. Prices were very reasonable also. When my coat wears out, I guess that will be a great excuse to go back to Florence to see Massimo.

Another positive experience with Madova gloves. I had visited their shop 2 years ago and I recently ordered three pairs at their online site and had them shipped to my home. All went very well with quick delivery by fedex.

http://www.massimoleather.it/

(Oops, I see Robert has already posted about this guy!)

A grade-school buddy of mine who taught art for 4 months in Florence befriended Massimo, and bought a leather jacket that still looks the same after 8 years. We visited him in March 2015 and bought jackets for ourselves and our daughters. Not cheap, but the real deal.

On Borgo La Noce near the San Lorenzo Market.