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Shopping
Needless to say, shopping in Italy is pure joy! Clothes, shoes, bags and accessories will drive you crazy!!! Prices for designer and luxury items can be high, but overall it tends to be substantially more convenient to shop in Italy (especially for Italian designers or brands) than it is in the US. Following are some tips and addresses about shopping in Italy, and addresses to keep shopping Italian style once back (sigh!) from your trip.
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Sizes and Metric Conversions
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Women’s Clothing |
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Men’s Shirts |
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Men’s Suits |
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Women’s
Shoes |
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Men’s Shoes |
| US |
IT |
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US |
IT |
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US |
IT |
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US |
IT |
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US |
IT |
| 6 |
40 |
15 |
38 |
36 |
46 |
5 |
36 |
8 |
41 |
| 8 |
42 |
15 ½ |
39 |
38 |
48 |
6 |
37 |
8½ |
42 |
| 10 |
44 |
16 |
41 |
40 |
50 |
7 |
38 |
9½ |
43 |
| 12 |
46 |
16½ |
42 |
42 |
52 |
8 |
39 |
10 |
44 |
| 14 |
48 |
17 |
43 |
44 |
54 |
9 |
40 |
11 |
45 |
| 16 |
50 |
17½ |
44 |
46 |
56 |
10 |
41 |
11½ |
46 |
| 18 |
52 |
18 |
45 |
48 |
58 |
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Tips |
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Store Hours: Opening hours may differ in each city or town, but generaly stores open at 9.00 am and close at 6.30 pm. There is a lunch break between 12.30 am and 3.00 pm. Most stores are closed on Sundays. There is normally rest day or half day during the week, which is usually on Mondays. Of course, there are all sorts of exceptions to these opening hours: most large malls and supermarkets are now open on Sundays and stay open later in the evenings; hairdressers always have their rest day, but might be open during lunch break.
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Returns: Returns are not common practice in Italy and most sales are generally final purchases, no matter what. Before buying something, be sure it’s what you want and inspect the item carefully. So take your time, don’t buy anything in a hurry.
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Sales: Sales (saldi) in Italy are regulated by law and are twice a year only, in mid-January and mid-July. Sometimes you can find discounts (sconti), but they are not as convenient.
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Duty Free Shopping: The price of goods in Italy include 20% IVA (VAT). Many stores in large cities offer duty free shopping for purchases above a minimum of about 155 Euros. This means that they will issue a duty free receipt and seal your merchandise. When you leave the country there will be a duty free station at the airport where you present the receipts and might be asked to show your purchases. They will reimburse you for the IVA, minus a small service fee. Make sure to leave extra time at the airport if you want to do this. You can read more detailed information on the Agenzia delle Dogane website - http://www.agenziadogane.it/wps/wcm/connect/ee/
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US Customs: For information about importing items in the US, you can visit the government Customs and Border protection website at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/
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Outlet Shopping
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Outlet shopping in Italy has developed only in the last couple of years and is now a real boom! Italians go crazy for outlets as should tourists too. Prices are really convenient and you can find all your favorite Italian designers.
There are different kinds of outlets: some are as elegant as boutiques, while others can be pretty basic, in the back of the manufacturing building. The shopping experience can be interesting too: sometimes you really have to search through piles of items to find a good piece. Also keep in mind that generally items sold at outlets stores are of the past collections - so if you are looking for this season’s bag you saw in Vogue magazine, you won’t find it there.
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Outlets are supposed to be “secret” and not advertised, so they seldom have websites The big chains of course have websites. You'll find plenty of companies on the internet that provide outlet tours, which can be a fun thing to do. You can also easily go on your own tour if you have a car.
Below we provide addresses of some of the more popular designer outlets, so you can map out were they are before your trip and take directions with you. We also provide phone numbers if available; it’s good to give a call before setting off for your shopping spree, so that you can verify opening hours and plan accordingly.
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The Mall: Via Europa 8, 50060 Leccio Reggello, Florence; Tel.: (011 39) 055-8657775
This is the most famous outlet mall of Italy. Some Italian designers you can find here are: Agnona, Alexander McQueen, Armani Jeans, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Emanuel Ungaro, Ermenegildo Zegna, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hogan, I Pinco Pallino, La Perla, Loro Piana, Marni, Pucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sergio Rossi, Stella McCartney, Tod's, Valentino, Yohji Yamamoto, Yves Saint Laurent. The info line listed above will give you information about the shuttle buses from Florence.
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I Pellettieri d'Italia - Località Levanella, 52025 Montevarchi (AR); Tel.: (011 39) 055 91 901
This is the Prada outlet store but it also carries Miu Miu, Helmut Lang and Jill Sanders
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Gina Lebole Outlet - via Gallileo Ferrari 20, Arezzo;
Tel.: (011 39) 0575 3081
This well stocked outlet carries Marzotto, Missoni, Ferre’, Jean Paul Gautier, Principe and more.
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Marianelli Outlet - via Pistoiese 51, Fucecchio (Florence); Tel.: (011 39) 0571 261602
This outlet carried handbags and leather accessories produced for Bluemarine, Les Copains and Marianelli labels, with discounts up to 40%.
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Fendi Outlet - via Giuseppe Di Vittorio 9, Rignano sull’Arno (Florence); Tel.: (011 39) 055 834981
This outlet is great for clothing as well as shoes and perfumes.
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Armani Outlet - Provinciale per Bregnano 13, Vertemate (Como); Tel.: (011 39) 031887373
Giorgio Armani factory store is in Lombardia, in the lakes region.
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Dolce & Gabanna - loc. Santa Maria Maddalena, Pian dell’Isola-Incisa Val d’Arno (Florence); Tel.: (011 39) 055 8331300
There is also an outlet store near Milan, but the one in Tuscany is the more popular of the two.
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Roberto Cavalli Outlet Store - http://www.robertocavallioutlet.it
via Volturno 3/3, Sesto Fiorentino, Osmannoro (Florence); Tel.: 055-317754
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Mc Arthur Glen Designer Outlets - http://www.mcarthurglen.it/index.php?lang=en
This is an outlet chain with very chic stores! They have several locations: Serravalle, an exit on the Milano-Genova highway; Castel Romano, just half an hour away from Rome; and they are about to open a new one in Barberino del Mugello, just north of Florence.
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Diffusione Tessile - http://www.diffusionetessile.it/bin/driver
This is chain of outlet stores belonging to the Max Mara Group. The items no longer have their original brand tag. There are several locations throughout Italy and they sell on-line, but only to Italians. Check out their website for store locations and downloadable directions.
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Italian Products |
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Leather Gloves: This is probably one of the most popular items women want to buy in Italy. The historical Pusateri in Florence is the ideal place to buy leather glovers. The well-stocked shop is located on via Calzaiuoli 25/r, Florence (across from Orsanmichele Church); Telephone: (011 39) 055 214192.
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Fossilfly Imports: http://www.fossilfly.com- On this website you can buy on-line unique Murano Glass imported directly from Venice, Italy. You’ll find beautiful Murano glass jewelry, vases, art glass and chandeliers. They also have a forum about Murano glass!
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Modiano Italian Cards: http://www.modiano.it/en/index.php - Learn to play Italian card games (like scopa or briscola) before your trip, so you can join the locals at their bar tournaments!
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Florencefashion.com: http://www.florencefashion.com - Top boutiques, outlets, shops, hotels, restaurants, tourist services and more in Florence.
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