I'll be in Naples, Florence, and Rome for this holiday. It looks like I'll have a chance to do some shopping - not the gypsy market, 'designed in Italy, made in China' kind, maybe. And for me, not deserving people back home.
I'm looking for a store that sells good quality, well made clothes for women. It would be nice to have something classic for the years to come. Any thoughts out there?
Thanks.
Sarah
Well, designed in Italy but made in China could be told also of a lot of designer items with an high price tag. Personally I would avoid big names.
A chain that can be found in several cities with classic women apparel is Luisa Spagnoli. In Florence they have two branches, both in the very center. Coin and Rinascente are two department stores with branches in several cities that usually sell high quality goods (but I would expect that most of the items are made in China anyway).
A problem with high end stores is that they seem to keep mostly small sizes. An insider suggestion from a Florentine: if you are looking for no-nonsense but high quality apparel, head to the relatively small Baccini shop, via Pisana near Porta S. Frediano. You enter and ask what you want and they will bring an endless selection, often more things that you would find in a department store. After me and my wife discovered this family owned shop, we buy most of our clothes from them.
In Rome, you will find boutique after boutique and wildly varying prices. I like Luisa Spagnoli (many locations), but it's available in the U.S. too, I think, so maybe not as particular as you would like. Otherwise, wander Via Cola di Rienzo, Via Nazionale and Via Tritone popping in-and-out of shops. It's a hunt, I tell you!
La Rinascente, the major department store, carries many designers as well as some more accessible lines. Located on Via del Corso in the Galleria, as well as at Piazza Fiume.
Thanks, ye stalwart shoppers, you've saved me scads of time!
In Rome check out the boutiques on Via dei Serpenti, Via del Boschetto & Via del Governo Vecchio. Most of the shops on these streets are of emerging designers, not mass produced items....although oddly enough there is an American Apparel store on Serpenti!
Major sales in January if your stay goes that long.
If you are in Naples I would suggest taking a walk along the street where all the Creche makers are.
http://www.portanapoli.com/Eng/naples/san-gregorio-armeno.html
Most of it is hand made in the shops right there. Some of it is amazing, some of it you scratch your head over, but it is original.
Thanks for your help. I accepted the guidance in Firenze so far. My daughter will shortly feign surprise when she opens her boots and my 5-year old granddaughter's squeal will be genuine when the pocketbook of her dreams appears just as she's described it.
Things for me will have to wait for my style to cycle around.
Your advice made this holiday and I still have Rome to go.
Your willingness to jump in and help adds sou h more than information to my trips.
Whenever my group asks how I know some fact, I usually give you, my mystery friends, but the credit.
